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Welsh Labour faces 'toughest election' since devolution | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Welsh Labour faces its toughest election since devolution began in 1999, Carwyn Jones has said. | |
The first minister told his party conference in Llandudno he was willing to take difficult decisions and take the flak that comes with them. | |
Mr Jones is seeking another term in office to complete a "decade of delivery" that started in 2011. | |
He said voters faced a choice between keeping him as first minister or Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies. | |
Mr Jones, first minister since 2009, outlined the party's six key pledges for May's assembly election campaign. | |
He also repeated a promise that Labour would not increase income taxes if the assembly gets the powers necessary. | |
Having led the Welsh government - either alone or in coalition - for 17 years, Labour's record will come under scrutiny at the election. | |
But Mr Jones hailed achievements in education, health and the economy under his party. | |
Labour could not afford "distractions" and must keep its sights set on "the fact that this election is a straight fight between Labour and the Tories," he said. | |
"We need to be very clear in our own minds about the challenge ahead of us in May. | |
"This will be our toughest ever assembly election campaign." | |
After months of infighting in Labour under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership, Mr Jones said Labour needed to "pull together, and work together, and campaign together". | |
Reacting for the Welsh Conservatives, Mr Davies said: "Carwyn Jones's term in office can only be categorised as an abject failure and he would've been sacked years ago if he worked for a private sector firm." | |
Earlier, Mr Corbyn told the conference Welsh Labour had made a "massive difference" during its 17 years in power. | |
He said Wales enjoyed good industrial relations, where ministers had not "picked a fight" with junior doctors who had gone on strike in England over new contracts. | He said Wales enjoyed good industrial relations, where ministers had not "picked a fight" with junior doctors who had gone on strike in England over new contracts. |