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| Welsh Labour faces 'toughest election' since devolution | Welsh Labour faces 'toughest election' since devolution |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Welsh Labour faces its toughest election since devolution began in 1999, Carwyn Jones has said. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | "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." | "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". | 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". |
| Welsh Labour chairman Andy Richards said he has had "fierce words" with party colleagues to maintain discipline. | Welsh Labour chairman Andy Richards said he has had "fierce words" with party colleagues to maintain discipline. |
| 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." | 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. | 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. |
| Analysis by Daniel Davies, BBC Wales political correspondent | |
| Jeremy Corbyn got the de rigueur standing ovation for a conference speech that credited the Welsh government as an "inspiration" to Labour in the rest of Britain. | |
| And if any party members are not thrilled by his leadership, the message to them is clear: Bite your tongues, at least until after May's election. | |
| Welsh Labour chairman Andy Richards said he had been exchanging some "fierce words" with party colleagues (in private) about the need for discipline and unity in the run-up to the election. | |
| In his speech, Carwyn Jones said Labour needed to "pull together" to win. | |
| That message has particular resonance for Labour after the damaging rows that have gripped the party since Mr Corbyn was elected leader. |