This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/wales/5369948.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Plaid leader urges radical agenda Plaid leader urges radical agenda
(about 1 hour later)
Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones will urge his party to adopt radical policies on the environment ahead of the assembly election next May. Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones has urged his party to adopt "attractive," "radical" and "practical" policies before the assembly election next May.
In his annual conference speech in Swansea, Mr Jones will also call for a more positive brand of politics. In his annual conference speech in Swansea, Mr Jones said people wanted "straight talking" from politicians.
Mr Jones said: "We need a fresh start for Wales and inspire our people that things can be different on their doorsteps."
The party also wants to focus on local threats to schools and hospitals.The party also wants to focus on local threats to schools and hospitals.
Mr Jones told BBC Wales the party's "radical" programme would help people "in their daily lives" with policies on housing and jobs. Mr Jones said the party faced a "huge challenge".
"These are the things that people are telling us they are interested in and I think what you will find from Plaid Cymru in the election is policies more relevant to these concerns." "If we're going to do things differently, we have to be attractive and radical as well as practical and be able to achieve our programme," he said.
'Happy to talk' "But it won't be an easy thing to achieve because people have had enough of politicians making big promises up to an election but breaking those once in power."
He told the BBC's Good Morning Wales programme: "People are not really interested in politicians and it doesn't really surprise me. He said he was determined that Plaid took the lead in "rebuilding people's trust in the political system".
"In terms of the assembly election, I think it's really important that people connect with us in terms of the policies we are putting forward." Referring to the problems of affordability of homes for young people, Mr Jones said: "This is a tragedy and we must do something about it."
He said politicians were "distrusted" by the public. LEADER'S POLICY PLEDGES A grant of up to £5,000 for first time buyers towards the cost of a houseFinancial contribution to help studets to pay off debts, if they work in Wales for five yearsEnsure official status for the Welsh languageEstablish Language Commissioner as an independent ambassador for the languageUniversal and affordable childcare for all children up to the age of fourInvest in a "decent" road link between north and south WalesTarget of cutting energy consumption in homes by 10% over a 10 year period
He deflected questions about possible coalition partners in the event of a hung assembly next year, but said Plaid was "happy to talk to people provided it's in the interest of the people of Wales". Mr Jones also raised the issue of climate change and the need for "real progress" on energy consumption.
Mr Jones is expected to stress that the party shares public worries about the impact of climate change and wants to help people in Wales to make a contribution towards dealing with a global problem. The party's policy pledges include measures to promote energy efficiency, with a 10% target set for reducing household emissions over the next 10 years.
This would include the area of energy efficiency, with a 10% target set for reducing household emissions over the next 10 years.
There would also be financial assistance towards the costs of energy saving initiatives in older properties, while the party also wants powers to set additional energy-efficiency requirements in new homes, schools and hospitals in Wales.There would also be financial assistance towards the costs of energy saving initiatives in older properties, while the party also wants powers to set additional energy-efficiency requirements in new homes, schools and hospitals in Wales.
Party leaders insisted the membership was in buoyant mood when they arrived at the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea. Plaid also unveiled spending commitments that include help for first-time buyers and student-loan breaks for graduates.
On Thursday, Mr Jones' frontbench colleague Helen Mary Jones said he might have lacked the "warmth" of Rhodri Morgan in the past, but had become a figure voters could trust, unlike the first minister. Earlier, Plaid Cymru parliamentary leader Elfyn Llwyd received a standing ovation when he called for a "return to honest politics."
She said: "Like any other political party our leader is going to be at the forefront of our campaign." The Meirionnydd Nant Conwy MP blamed Labour for the fact people had lost interest in politics.
Plaid is unveiling spending commitments that include help for first-time buyers and student-loan breaks for graduates. He said the nominated House of Lords was "a nice little earner" for Tony Blair.
Party chairman John Dixon said Plaid would stand for "community, opportunity and prosperity". Mr Llwyd said Plaid could overtake Labour in Wales if it stuck to its tactic for next year's Assembly elections - to fight grass-roots local campaigns in target consistencies.
Delegates will debate motions calling for cheap childcare for one to four-year-olds and pensions of £110 per week.