10 Questions & Answers
Alun Ffred Jones on the Spot
What’s going to be different about the Assembly after May?
For the first time in centuries Wales will have some power to pass its own laws – limited power, but a big step forward.
Is that important for the election?
Very important. We need to ask what party will make the best use of the new powers. It’s a choice between another tired Labour administration that can’t see much further than Cardiff, and a dynamic government with fresh ideas, led by Plaid Cymru.
What difference will this make in Arfon?
A huge difference. A Plaid government will give equal attention to the North and the whole of Wales, rather than centralising everything around the M4 corridor.
Let’s talk about some of the policies. Health, for instance?
Locally, we must safeguard the status of Ysbyty Gwynedd and develop new facilities such as neurology and heart treatments, to provide a complete service for north west Wales. Nationally, we would create a more efficient, less bureaucratic system. Labour have created more than 50 different bodies to run he health service in Wales.
Many people are concerned about law and order. What would you do to give them peace of mind?
Less bureaucracy, more bobbies on the beat. Measures to control alcohol abuse. Fair funding for North Wales Police, who receive £25 per head less money than South Wales Police.
Finding somewhere to live is a major big worry, especially for the young. How would Plaid improve things?
Grants of up to £5,000 to help first time buyers raise a deposit. Change the planning laws to make it easier for local people to get permission to build a house. Set up a National Housing Corporation to build houses and flats for renting.
Where would the money come from to pay for all this?
These changes would be perfectly feasible within a four-year Assembly term. Many savings can be made by cutting bureaucracy and eliminating Labour waste. We would press for fairer funding from London – under the Barnett Formula Wales gets between £600m and £800m less than its fair share. We would look at sources where governments can borrow money at lower interest rates than the PFI system favoured by Labour. And our plans to rejuvenate businesses would create more wealth.
So what could a Plaid government do to create jobs in this area?
Create better conditions for companies, including business rate reductions. Make the most of our resources – an early decision on Glyn Rhonwy and Ferodo.
Are issues like Iraq and cash for honours relevant to these Assembly elections?
The Assembly has no responsibility for such matters. But it’s fair to ask whether we can trust a party that sent brave young Welsh people to fight a war based on lies. Labour’s central election machine is running much of this campaign in Wales. It’s possible that some of the money paid for peerages is funding the Labour campaign here in Arfon.
Who is Plaid Cymru for as a party?
We are an inclusive party that represents everyone who lives in Wales. Of our four candidates on the North Wales regional list, only one was born in Wales. The others were born in Sunderland, Derby and Bangladesh.