Opposition parties in Wales have criticised Labour for failing to establish a St David's Day public holiday.

In a joint statement Plaid Cymru's Ieuan Wyn Jones, Nick Bourne of the Welsh Conservatives and Mike German of the Welsh Liberal Democrats criticised the first minister's "half-hearted" attempts to establish the bank holiday in Wales.

"Rhodri Morgan often talks about the benefits of strong Labour links between Cardiff Bay and Westminster, but they have proved of little use to anyone here in Wales," they said.

In 2000 the Cardiff assembly voted unanimously to seek approval to make St David's Day a bank holiday.

Half-hearted

Since then, however, critics say Labour has failed to make any progress on the issue.

"Five years ago the first minister voted with every other AM to make St David's Day a bank holiday," the three leaders said.

"Some 1826 days later, there is still no sign of action beyond a handful of half-hearted letters.

"His attempts so far have lacked conviction, and we are calling on him to make a proper effort on a matter of importance to Wales' culture and identity."

Plaid, the Conservatives and the Lib Dems added that Wales is "being stifled by London Labour and Rhodri Morgan's ineffective leadership".