Release Date: 27 November 2002

Embargo:

Contact: Ed Townsend 029 2089 8737 or 07850 710624

Conservative walk-out snubs Valleys communities

Ed Townsend, the Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly spokesperson for South Wales East, today condemned the Conservative Party for walking out on the Valleys.

Every Conservative member left the chamber at the start of a National Assembly debate on rebuilding the valleys. "Their walkout shows how little they think of the Valleys, said Ed Townsend.

"For 18 years, the Conservatives presided over the worst economic decline in the Valleys and other parts of Wales," he said. "Now they have nothing to offer when it comes to making plans to rebuild the communities and economic prospects of the areas they shattered."

MISSING: Newport councillor and estate agent William Graham, Conservative AM for South Wales East, including Torfaen, Islwyn, Merthyr, Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent

MISSING: Conservative economic spokesman Alun Cairns, who represents the Swansea, Neath, Dulais, Afan, Amman, Garw, Llynfi and Ogmore Valleys.

MISSING: Conservative environment and planning spokesman David Davies from Monmouth

MISSING: Conservative health spokesman David Melding a South Wales Central AM representing Rhondda Cynon Taff.

MISSING: Conservative Rural spokesman Glyn Davies.

MISSING: Conservative education spokesman Jonathan Morgan, another South Wales Central AM representing Rhondda Cynon Taff.

MISSING: Conservative leader Nick Bourne.

MISSING: Conservative farmer Peter Rogers.

MISSING: Conservative finance spokesman David Ian Jones.

"Not one of them - not even those regional AMs who represent every Valley in South Wales between them - could spare even five minutes to contribute to the future of the South Wales Valleys," said Ed Townsend. "They stood up and walked out."

Welsh Liberal Democrat communities spokesperson Peter Black said: "This debate was a good opportunity to get the Economic Development Minister to concentrate on Valleys communities. Those of us who stayed were encouraged by what the Minister had to say in response to our concerns. I hope the Conservatives will now take the time to check the record of proceedings from the debate so that they can catch up with what happened in their absence."

Ends… note follows

Note to editors: The debate was a short debate on Rebuilding the Valleys. Traditionally, short debates are attended by small numbers of Assembly members, but with each party represented. The debate follows the main business of the day.