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Blair rallies party for elections Blair rallies party for elections
(about 4 hours later)
Prime Minister Tony Blair will address the Welsh Labour Party on the first day of its annual conference in Llandudno.Prime Minister Tony Blair will address the Welsh Labour Party on the first day of its annual conference in Llandudno.
Mr Blair arrived in the resort late on Thursday ahead of his final speech to the Welsh party as prime minister.Mr Blair arrived in the resort late on Thursday ahead of his final speech to the Welsh party as prime minister.
Others addressing the party's spring gathering include First Minister Rhodri Morgan, Welsh Secretary Peter Hain and Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander. Earlier, First Minister Rhodri Morgan told BBC Wales that the exit strategy from Iraq was "very very problematic" and not "properly thought through".
The two-day conference is Labour's last before the Welsh assembly elections in May. He said that it was not for him to "say whether Tony Blair should apologise about Iraq or not."
Mr Blair is due to deliver his final speech to delegates at around noon. Welsh Secretary Peter Hain and Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander are also due to address the two-day conference, which is Labour's last before the Welsh assembly elections in May.
Mr Blair is due to deliver his final speech to delegates at around 1100 BST.
He will be followed by Welsh Secretary Mr Hain on Friday afternoon, while First Minister Mr Morgan will address the conference on Saturday.He will be followed by Welsh Secretary Mr Hain on Friday afternoon, while First Minister Mr Morgan will address the conference on Saturday.
Speaking to BBC Wales' Dragon's Eye programme on the eve of the conference, Mr Morgan said Welsh Labour was focusing on the eradication of child poverty, improving education and training and working towards a carbon-free future for Wales. On the eve of the conference, Mr Morgan said Welsh Labour was focusing on the eradication of child poverty, improving education and training and working towards a carbon-free future for Wales.
Welsh Labour is preparing to fight assembly electionsWelsh Labour is preparing to fight assembly elections
Mr Morgan added he did not believe the Iraq war would affect support for Labour in the May elections. Mr Morgan told BBC Radio Wales' Good Morning Wales that the exit strategy from Iraq was "very very problematic" and not "properly thought through".
He said: "I think they [the voters] will see Welsh labour has delivered for them over the last eight years." He said it was not for him to "say whether Tony Blair should apologise about Iraq or not". Pressed on the fact that 800 Welsh soldiers will be going to Iraq at the time of the May elections, Mr Morgan wished them "a safe return" and said everyone is the armed forces was expected to "do their share" of military service in places like Iraq.
Mr Morgan was asked why he could not make his mind up on Iraq, he said: "I have made my mind up, but it's not relevant to ask me to put myself as though I was in Tony Blair's position in reading the paper that he read - and which I did not.
'Not quaking'
"All I can see from the outside is that the exit strategy has been very very problematic and wasn't properly thought through. I don't think anybody can argue about that."
Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru has threatened legal action against the Labour Party unless it ends statements alleging Plaid will join a Conservative-led coalition following the assembly elections.Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru has threatened legal action against the Labour Party unless it ends statements alleging Plaid will join a Conservative-led coalition following the assembly elections.
Mr Morgan told Dragon's Eye he believed the three opposition parties in the assembly were "running to stitch something up after the election".Mr Morgan told Dragon's Eye he believed the three opposition parties in the assembly were "running to stitch something up after the election".
His comments followed similar recent claims from Mr Hain.His comments followed similar recent claims from Mr Hain.
Plaid's Parliamentary leader, Elfyn Llwyd, denied the party was willing to serve in a Tory-led coalition, accusing Labour of "misrepresentation and spin".Plaid's Parliamentary leader, Elfyn Llwyd, denied the party was willing to serve in a Tory-led coalition, accusing Labour of "misrepresentation and spin".
He added: "We have said consistently that we won't serve in a Tory led administration.He added: "We have said consistently that we won't serve in a Tory led administration.
"If they [Labour] continue we will consider legal action.""If they [Labour] continue we will consider legal action."
Mr Morgan responded by saying he was "not quaking in his boots" at the prospect of legal action.Mr Morgan responded by saying he was "not quaking in his boots" at the prospect of legal action.