NHS: Key issue in Welsh campaign

Labour's management of the Welsh NHS has led to chaos in the service, the Conservatives have said

Beginning a tour of key Welsh constituencies on Thursday, shadow Wales secretary Bill Wiggin urged the public to vote for Michael Howard as "a Welsh prime minister".

Wiggin was set to campaign in Monmouth, Newport, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan where he was backing the party's "excellent candidates".

Monmouth in particular is a key Tory target in Wales, and is perhaps their best hope of re-establishing a Westminster presence in the country.

"The Welsh rugby team did us proud recently with their well-deserved grand slam - now all we need is a Welsh prime minister," Wiggin said.

"In Michael Howard, the Welsh people have the chance to elect their first ever Welsh-born prime minister, and a Conservative government that will really deliver for Wales.

"Labour has let Wales down, with eight years of talk and empty promises, failing public services, waste and tax increases.

"Council tax in Wales has gone through the roof.

"And nowhere have people been hit harder by Labour's 66 tax increases than in Wales, where the pay gap between the rest of the UK has been ever-increasing under Labour."

He said Labour's "system of waste and mismanagement" has led to chaos in the Welsh NHS.

Lib Dems

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have also been setting out their plans for the health service.

The Lib Dems detailed plans to scrap charges for eye and dental checks, end charges for personal care for the elderly and remove prescription charges for the chronically ill.

"We will abolish prescription charges for those with long term chronic illnesses who need a cocktail of drugs to control their condition," said Veronica Watkins, Lib Dem candidate for Torfaen.

"The assembly voted to make these free over two years ago but patients are being made to wait for Labour’s free prescriptions in 2007.

"This delay in delivery has cost sufferers £200 already. We would scrap these charges now."

Labour record

Labour, however, has defended its record.

At the launch of the Welsh Labour manifesto, Peter Hain and Rhodri Morgan said that 10 new hospitals had already been opened or are the way, with an extra £140m being spent on improving services.

By 2009, no-one will be waiting more than 26 weeks from GP referral to treatment, says the party.

There is also a commitment to reduce the rate of deaths from cancer and strokes by 20 per cent by 2012.

"Wales has a clear choice on May 5. We can go forward with the strong Labour team or we can go back to being ruled by the Tories," said the Wales secretary.

"Labour promises even better public services, a stronger economy and safer streets.

"But this can only be delivered if people turn out to vote Labour. I'm sounding an alarm for Wales today: you will only get a Labour government if you vote for a Labour government.

"This isn't a time to gamble. Don't have a flutter on your future. A vote for Plaid or the Liberals could let the Tories in by the back door. "

And the first minister said that having a Labour-controlled assembly trying to work with a Conservative government in Westminster would be "devastating for our communities".

Plaid referendum call

Meanwhile Plaid Cymru has called on voters to use the general election as a referendum on Labour's "mishandling" of the health service.