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Brown's cabinet to meet in Wales Brown's cabinet to meet in Wales
(10 minutes later)
Gordon Brown and his ministers are heading to Cardiff for the first meeting of a UK government cabinet in Wales.Gordon Brown and his ministers are heading to Cardiff for the first meeting of a UK government cabinet in Wales.
The meeting comes as the Transport Secretary Lord Adonis confirmed a £1bn plan to electrify the rail line between south Wales and London.The meeting comes as the Transport Secretary Lord Adonis confirmed a £1bn plan to electrify the rail line between south Wales and London.
Ministers will also take part in a series of meetings and events throughout south Wales.Ministers will also take part in a series of meetings and events throughout south Wales.
But opposition parties called the visit "shallow" and "stage managed".But opposition parties called the visit "shallow" and "stage managed".
Lord Adonis told the BBC the massive investment involved would be worth it. Lord Adonis told the BBC the massive railway investment involved would be worth it.
He said: "With the electric trains you get a quieter, cleaner, more reliable and much cheaper train which benefits passengers and it also benefits the taxpayers because it's much cheaper to keep an electric railway going.He said: "With the electric trains you get a quieter, cleaner, more reliable and much cheaper train which benefits passengers and it also benefits the taxpayers because it's much cheaper to keep an electric railway going.
I am sure that my colleagues will leave Wales today eager to spread the word about what a dynamic and innovative place Wales is Welsh Secretary Peter HainI am sure that my colleagues will leave Wales today eager to spread the word about what a dynamic and innovative place Wales is Welsh Secretary Peter Hain
He also said the investment would pay for itself over a 40-year period and that there would be no impact on fares.He also said the investment would pay for itself over a 40-year period and that there would be no impact on fares.
Mr Brown is seeking to regain the political initiative after what he has described as a "difficult year".Mr Brown is seeking to regain the political initiative after what he has described as a "difficult year".
He hopes action on the economy, public services and the environment will contrast with Conservative policies.He hopes action on the economy, public services and the environment will contrast with Conservative policies.
It is the sixth time Mr Brown's cabinet has met outside London, since it began a tour of locations around the UK last September with a visit to Birmingham.It is the sixth time Mr Brown's cabinet has met outside London, since it began a tour of locations around the UK last September with a visit to Birmingham.
Trips to Leeds, Liverpool, Southampton and Glasgow followed, before this visit to the Welsh capital.Trips to Leeds, Liverpool, Southampton and Glasgow followed, before this visit to the Welsh capital.
Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said: "The Wales of the 21st Century has hi-tech industry, world class centres of innovation and a diverse talented workforce that is split almost 50-50 men and women.Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said: "The Wales of the 21st Century has hi-tech industry, world class centres of innovation and a diverse talented workforce that is split almost 50-50 men and women.
'Shallow attempt''Shallow attempt'
"Today will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase what Wales has to offer to the rest of the UK and the world."Today will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase what Wales has to offer to the rest of the UK and the world.
"This is the first time that the cabinet has met in Wales. I am sure that my colleagues will leave Wales today eager to spread the word about what a dynamic and innovative place Wales is.""This is the first time that the cabinet has met in Wales. I am sure that my colleagues will leave Wales today eager to spread the word about what a dynamic and innovative place Wales is."
Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan said: "The prime minister has barely visited Wales since he took office - and since Conservatives beat Labour in Wales at last month's European elections we're surprised he wants to come at all," she said.Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan said: "The prime minister has barely visited Wales since he took office - and since Conservatives beat Labour in Wales at last month's European elections we're surprised he wants to come at all," she said.
"This is a shallow attempt to pretend that Wales matters to him."This is a shallow attempt to pretend that Wales matters to him.
"If Gordon Brown thinks (the) visit will persuade people to forget that Labour is to blame for the difficulties facing Wales today then he will be very disappointed.""If Gordon Brown thinks (the) visit will persuade people to forget that Labour is to blame for the difficulties facing Wales today then he will be very disappointed."
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams described the event as stage managed and said it would not "replace real engagement with Welsh communities and meaningful reform of our damaged democracy".Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams described the event as stage managed and said it would not "replace real engagement with Welsh communities and meaningful reform of our damaged democracy".