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“Welsh Labour needs a strong voice at the heart of the Labour Party” – Edwina Hart
Welsh Labour leadership candidate Edwina Hart has today said that if she is elected, Welsh Labour would have a strong voice at the heart of the Labour Party.
In proposals set out in her manifesto, which was launched last week, Edwina speaks about creating a new ‘constitutional relationship’ between Welsh Labour and the UK Labour Party.
In July, the party’s National Executive Committee – the NEC – agreed to a proposal by Labour party members in Caerphilly to include, for the first time, the Leaders of the party in Wales and in Scotland on the Labour party’s ruling National Executive Committee.
Commenting on her proposals, Edwina Hart said:
“I want to be a strong voice for Wales, and that includes being a strong voice for Wales at the heart of the Labour Party.
“My proposal is in tune with the wider Labour movement, seeking a new constitutional relationship is not about separatism; it's about creating a stronger, two-way relationship of mutual benefit between Labour in Wales and Labour on a UK level.
“I want to represent Wales and the Labour Party in Wales at the heart of the Labour Party. One of the first steps I’d want to take is to seek an early agreement on creating a seat for the Welsh Leader on the party’s main decision making body, bringing us closer together.
Edwina sets out some of the practical reasons why a seat on the party’s main decision making body is an important first step for her plans to reinvigorate the Welsh Labour Party.
“I don’t want to just talk about change; I want to make change happen.
“I’m firmly committed to reinvigorating the Welsh Labour Party from top to bottom. I want the party in Wales to have all the resources it needs to help us win. I want Welsh interests to be at the heart of the Labour Party’s Policy making process. A seat at our party’s top table will allow me to argue Wales’ corner, making sure our needs are met and that our voice is heard.
“As the only candidate in this contest who has had to negotiate with a Tory Government during my time leading the trade union movement in Wales, I know better than anyone how important it is that we return a fourth term Labour government next year.
“I believe I am the only candidate who has the track record and ability to make the changes our party needs to happen.”
26 October 2009
