Lib Dems' 'positive' Europe drive

Alan Butt Philip says Wales is stronger when working with the rest of Europe

Welsh Liberal Democrats have stressed their "positive" approach, as their biggest campaign for a European election entered its last days.

Meeting farmers at Welshpool cattle market, lead candidate Alan Butt Philip said all the issues discussed could only be dealt with at a European level.

He said a "pro-active approach to Europe" was the "only sensible option".

Welsh Lib Dem leader Kirsty Williams said the party was focused on "making Europe work better for Wales".

Mr Butt Philip hopes to become Wales' first Welsh Lib Dem MEP when the results of Thursday's Europe-wide poll are declared on Sunday night.

Joined by local AM Mick Bates, Mr Butt Philip met Farmers' Union of Wales president Gareth Vaughan and other FUW members.

Mr Butt Philip said the "the economic, environmental, and of course agricultural policy issues that impact upon farmers here in Montgomeryshire and across Wales" had all been covered in the discussions.

We know that the positive vision we provide, of a Wales stronger for being part of Europe and poorer apart is shared by many Welsh people Kirsty Williams, Welsh Liberal Democrat leader

"All of the issues we discussed, such as sheep ID tagging, CAP reform and market regulation can only be dealt with effectively at a European level, so it's vital that the interests of Welsh farmers are understood and properly represented in Brussels," he said.

"The Welsh Liberal Democrats have a positive view of Wales stronger for working with Europe and... when you consider an industry and way of life such as farming, it's clear that a positive, pro-active approach to Europe is the only sensible option.

"For farming to thrive in Wales we need the right support, right policies and the ability to trade freely and fairly across the European market," Mr Butt Philip added.

Ms Williams said the Welsh Lib Dems had "campaigned harder and smarter than ever before".

'Dangerous criminals'

"We know that the positive vision we provide, of a Wales stronger for being part of Europe and poorer apart is shared by many Welsh people, not least those who work in industries or sectors to whom Europe is the market in which they trade or operate," she said.

She said Mr Butt Philip had met businesses "frustrated" that Welsh Assembly Government coalition partners, Labour and Plaid Cymru, were "wasting huge sums of European money on pet projects instead of investing in transport or IT infrastructure".

For farming to thrive in Wales we need the right support, right policies and the ability to trade freely and fairly across the European market Alan Butt Philip, lead Liberal Democrat candidate

"Alan has met with green and sustainable technology professionals who look to Europe, not Westminster or Cardiff, for the leadership on climate change and peak oil that Wales urgently needs," she said.

"And Alan has met with people across Wales who are happy that 900 dangerous criminals have been removed from the UK and 300 brought back here to justice, because of the European arrest warrant.

"People are angry because of the behaviour of the two establishment parties in Westminster and they see that the Welsh Liberal Democrats are focused on real reform and making Europe work better for Wales," Ms Williams added.

'Out of touch'

Responding for Labour, Wales Office Minister Wayne David said: "First Minister Rhodri Morgan recently launched the latest strategy for sustainable living and Environment Minister Jane Davidson is setting the standard when it comes to low carbon homes and construction.

"European funding is being used to regenerate communities across Wales (and) in the ProAct and ReAct schemes we are providing funds that are keeping people in work and preparing the Welsh workforce for the future".

Mr David accused the Lib Dems of being "clearly out of touch with the reality of modern Wales".

Labour working at all levels to deliver high-quality jobs at what will be an excellent facility Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy on plans for a military defence academy

Plaid Cymru lead candidate and MEP Jill Evans said: "The Lib Dems can't even agree amongst themselves [as] only two weeks ago the Scottish Lib Dems were praising the Plaid-led ProAct scheme as a 'targeted, innovative measure'.

"In the assembly and in Europe Plaid are delivering for the people of Wales.

"We have innovative proposals to connect Wales with an improved transport network and high-speed broadband."

Meanwhile, Labour's lead candidate Derek Vaughan and Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy visited St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan, the proposed site of the new military defence academy.

Mr Murphy said the plans were "great news" for the local economy and the armed forces thanks to "Labour working at all levels to deliver high-quality jobs at what will be an excellent facility".

Accusing Ms Evans of opposing the new jobs, he challenged all Plaid candidates to "make clear for once and for all" if they backed the training academy.

But, campaigning in Cardiff and Neath, Ms Evans said "the collapse in Labour's vote is evident, and their desperate attacks don't fool anyone, especially not the voters".

"They have not forgotten the Iraq war or the banking collapse, even in the midst of the furore around expenses which has so damaged the London parties."

"Plaid's confidence in winning two seats in Thursday's election in Wales grows day by day, and there is no doubt we will defeat Labour in seats across Wales."

'Real difference'

The Conservatives launched a new "transparency drive" in Europe, including on MEPs and European commissioners' expenses and on EU budgets.

The party was canvassing in Monmouthshire and, like her Labour opposite number, Conservative lead candidate for Wales Kay Swinburne was in the Vale of Glamorgan.

She discussed economic regeneration with Tory councillors at a meeting in Barry after visiting the Liberty Stadium and National Waterfront Museum in Swansea in the morning.

Dr Swinburne said: "Our campaign has been focused on what Europe can do to make a real difference to people's lives.

Stressing the importance of Thursday's elections, she added: "They are about how political parties work in Europe and back in Wales to protect jobs, support the economy and regeneration, protect the environment, and stand up for consumers."