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The Welsh Liberal Democrats are advocating for a more mature political landscape as they prepare for the upcoming Senedd election next year.
According to their leader, Jane Dodds, her recent agreement to support the Welsh government’s budget underscores her commitment to prioritizing the well-being of citizens rather than engaging in political gamesmanship.
While addressing the audience on BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Dodds also hinted that she might consider adopting some unconventional campaign strategies similar to those employed by Sir Ed Davey during the last Westminster General Election, stating that voters would need to “wait and see.”
Sir Ed’s campaign capture public attention with a series of eye-catching stunts, including paddle boarding, biking down a hill in Knighton, and bungee-jumping, leading to a notable victory with the Lib Dems securing a record 72 seats.
As the only Liberal Democrat Member of the Senedd (MS), Dodds recently negotiated a deal with the Welsh government that enabled the passage of its £26 billion budget. This agreement resulted in an additional £108 million allocated specifically for social care, childcare, and a pilot initiative for affordable bus fares for those under 21, in addition to a ban on greyhound racing.
“We had a duty to ensure the budget proceeded, as failing to do so would have meant a loss of five billion pounds for the people of Wales,” Dodds noted. “That is not a scenario I wish to entertain, nor do I want to engage in party politics at the expense of people’s lives.”
Dodds expressed confidence that her collaborative approach is resonating with the electorate, stating, “While canvassing last night, many constituents conveyed their desire for mature, adult-oriented politics. They want assurance that elected officials will deliver for Wales. This is what we have accomplished before, and we aim to uphold that standard moving forward.”
Should the budget not have been approved, the Welsh government would have reverted to a percentage of the previous year’s financial plan, resulting in significant cuts and further financial hardship.
In the upcoming election, there will be an expansion of the Senedd to include 16 new constituencies, each contributing six members to an overall total of 96 representatives. This new structure will utilize a system of proportional representation, rewarding parties based on their share of the vote.
Dodds emphasized that her party would adopt a “pro-business” stance, although she did not provide specific details on what this would entail. This announcement comes at a crucial time as businesses in Wales face challenges from rising National Insurance contributions and the implications of tariffs implemented during the Trump administration.
She reiterated her ambition for the party to “paint Wales gold” during the Senedd election scheduled for May, despite polling indicating a potential outcome of only two or three seats, or possibly facing a complete loss of representation.
Dodds acknowledged that several individuals have inquired about her possibly mimicking Sir Ed Davey’s energetic campaign style but refrained from revealing any plans, indicating, “I won’t disclose anything to Radio Wales this morning, but you will have to see what unfolds.”
This weekend, the Welsh Liberal Democrats are set to convene for their spring conference in Cardiff, where they will discuss strategies for the upcoming election. Additionally, they experienced a recent victory in a by-election for the Cwmllynfell and Ystalyfera wards on the Neath Port Talbot Council, surpassing candidates from Plaid Cymru, Reform, and Labour.
Source
www.bbc.com