Hart commits to 'clear red water'

The former Welsh Secretary, Paul Murphy is backing Edwina Hart

Edwina Hart has pledged a commitment to the "clear red water" tradition of Welsh socialism as she bids to lead the Welsh Labour Party.

In her campaign launch, the health minister said she was setting out clear "often radical" policies.

The Gower AM is fighting the Counsel General Carwyn Jones and Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney AM Huw Lewis to succeed Rhodri Morgan as the party leader.

The leadership campaign should see the winner in place by Christmas.

Ms Hart has held some of the most senior positions in the assembly government over the past 10 years, including social justice minister, finance minister, and her current post as health minister, where she is in control of the biggest single budget in Wales, of more than £5bn.

She says it is this experience which makes her the best choice to fill the top job of first minister.

Her bid to win the leadership battle has already won her support from her cabinet colleagues, the Finance Minister Andrew Davies and Education Minister Jane Hutt.

EDWINA HART FACTFILE Born: 1957 in Gowerton, near Swansea Educated: Gowerton Girls Grammar Personal: Married to Robert, daughter Estelle Career: Trade union activist, president of banking union Bifu, chair, Wales TUC Politics: Gower AM, 1999 - date; ministerial appointments: finance, social justice, health Interests: Former member of National Youth Orchestra of Wales, music, literature Source: edwina4labour.com

She is also being backed by the former Welsh Secretary, the Torfaen MP Paul Murphy.

At her campaign launch, she spelt out how she wants to see Labour's four-year programme for government in Wales completed.

Ms Hart launched her manifesto at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff, pledging policies "rooted in Welsh Labour principles".

On the economy she said she wanted to establish a "citizens' bank for Wales" which could be on a not-for-profit basis for individuals not served by traditional banks.

Ms Hart said she wanted a permanent "social partnership" with organisations around Wales to tackle the recession.

But on energy sources she was very cautious about nuclear energy.

"I have always taken the view that where nuclear power is concerned only the highest degree of scepticism is sensible," she said in her manifesto.

She also said she was concerned that Welsh medium schools do not properly reflect the local community.

"Why do some Welsh medium schools in the centres of our biggest cities - Newport, Cardiff and Swansea have so few black faces in their classrooms," she wrote.

She said she wanted to build on achievements of Rhodri Morgan and reconnect with Welsh voters.

"(Voters) don't want bland and boring," she said.

'Proud'

"When my mother was born, women in Wales had never had the vote. Now less than a century later, I am a candidate to be the first woman to lead our party in Wales," said Ms Hart, in a message to electors.

"None of this has happened without the Labour movement, and I am proud of the part I have been able to play, both as president of the Wales TUC and as a minister in Rhodri Morgan's assembly government for the past 10 years."

Her strong links to the trade unions are seen as a major strength in her leadership campaign, with union member votes making up a third of the electoral college that decides who wins the post.

She is also keen to emphasise her personal qualities before the ballot takes place.

She added: "During that period I have been responsible for finance, local government, social justice and, over the past two years, for the biggest portfolio, health and social services, with a track record of putting our party's policies into practice.

"In the process I have learned that it takes strong leadership and political determination to make the machinery of government work for progressive agendas."