Hustings start this week - we look forward to seeing and meeting as many members as posisble at them. Details below..

Wednesday, 12^th November 7.30pm
The King’s Hotel, High Street, Newport, NP20 1QU
http://www.kingshotelnewport.co.uk/address_directions_map.php

Friday, 14^th November 7.30pm
The Cambria, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyth, SY23 2AZ
http://www.thecambria.co.uk/map.html

Saturday, 15^th November 12.30
The Gallery, Glyndwr University (formerly NEWI), Plas Coch Campus, Mold Road, Wrexham, LL11 2AW
http://www.newi.ac.uk/en/Campusesthecommunity/Howtofindus/MapofGlyndwrUniversityinWrexham/

Tuesday, 18^th November 7.30pm
Pontypridd RFC, The Clubhouse, Sardis Road, Pontypridd, CF37 1HA
http://www.ponty.net/map

Thursday 20th November 7.30pm
The Village Hotel, Langdon Road (off Fabian Way), Swansea, SA1 8QY
http://www.village-hotels.co.uk/hotels/swansea/directions.aspx

Members are welcome to attend any or all of the hustings, you aren’t just restricted to the one in your region – it’s your opportunity to listen to what the candidates have to say and also to ask them questions.

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Kirsty Williams AM today launches her manifesto for the leadership of the Welsh Liberal Democrats.

“Vision for a Liberal Wales” is a comprehensive manifesto for change, setting out 50 reasons to vote for Kirsty as leader. The document puts forward ambitious 21st century proposals to raise the bar for the party, country and government.

Kirsty, the party’s enterprise and learning spokesperson says:

“Our party must change. We must be far more ambitious - for ourselves as a party and for our country. Wales needs a Welsh Liberal Democrat party with a zeal and commitment to radical reform, able to speak for all parts of the country.”

Proposals - for the party and policy - include:

· Creating a Leader’s Forum – improving members’ links with the leader
· An Ideas Academy for liberalism in Wales
· Targeting Assembly constituencies, rather than complicated regional vote strategies
· Ensuring no child leaves school without basic literacy and numeracy skills and an entitlement to adult learning and training
· A Citizen’s Rights Charter for Wales

Kirsty says:

“Now is the time for action. As a party we must look outward, not inward. I will lead from the front, with energy, passion and commitment to raise the bar for the party and for Wales.

“I believe we can and should be optimistic about our party’s future. There are great prospects in Swansea West, Pontypridd and Newport East, but there’s so much more than that. There are no no-go areas for me. I can take our message to all parts of Wales.

“We must reach out beyond the establishment and the Cardiff Bay bubble to show we are on Wales’s side. As a party we must be open to all sections of Welsh society. Nobody does local campaigning better than us, but we need to refresh our core values of liberalism and democracy. We can only do this if we listen to what really matters to ordinary families and put forward policies that answer people’s everyday concerns.

“Across the UK the whole party is embracing change and a new generation of leadership. We need that change here in Wales too – we can’t be left behind in this new era for the Liberal Democrats. It’s time for a fresh start and a leader for the long term, ready to take on the changing political climate in Wales.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats must be the bold and brave party of Welsh politics. Returning the party to this position won’t happen overnight. I have the energy, passion and conviction to take us on that journey.”

Tags: Press Releases by admin
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On the day that Kirsty Williams launched her Manifesto for change Councillor Edward Townsend - Deputy Leader of Newport City Council and Candidate for Newport East is Kirsty’s supporter of the day.

Cllr Ed Townsend says:

“I asked myself a simple question before backing Kirsty Williams as our next leader: “Who would our opponents least like to see leading our party?” We cannot be satisfied with six AMs and just four MPs.

“If we are to make a mark on Wales, then we have to surprise a few people with what we do. Our campaigning has to gain an edge that makes our opponents fear us.

“The next stage in our party’s development will need drive, enthusiasm, credibility, political acumen and the ability to speak sheer common sense. Kirsty has all of those qualities - and she is the one Labour, Conservative and Plaid Cymru politicians most definitely don’t want to see winning.

“We need a leader with the determination, vision and passion to take us to the next level. Kirsty will inspire our activists and make sure we take the fight to the other parties and win.

“That is why I’m backing her to be the next leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats.”

Mae’r Cynghorydd Edward Townsend (Dirprwy Arweinydd Cyngor Dinas Casnewydd ac Ymgeisydd Dwyrain Casnewydd) yn cefnogi Kirsty…

“Gofynnais gwestiwn syml i fy hun cyn cefnogi Kirsty Wiliams fel ein harweinydd nesaf: “Pwy fyddai dewis olaf ein gwrthwynebwyr i arwain ein plaid?” Ni allwn fod yn fodlon gyda chwe Aelod o’r Cynulliad a dim ond pedwar Aelod Seneddol.

“Os ydyn ni am wneud argraff ar Gymru, mae’n rhaid i ni gymryd camau sy’n synnu rhai pobl. Mae angen min ar ein hymgyrchu sy’n codi ofn ar ein gwrthwynebwyr.

“Ar gyfer y cam nesaf yn natblygiad ein plaid, bydd angen ymroddiad, brwdfrydedd, hygrededd, craffter gwleidyddol a’r gallu i siarad synnwyr cyffredin pur. Mae’r rhinweddau hynny i gyd gan Kirsty, a heb os, hi yw’r un mae gwleidyddion Llafur, Ceidwadol a Phlaid Cymru yn gobeithio na fydd yn ennill.

“Mae angen arnom arweinydd sydd â’r hunan benderfyniad, gweledigaeth a’r nwyd i’n harwain i’r lefel nesaf. Bydd Kirsty yn ysbrydoli ein hymgyrchwyr ac yn sicrhau ein bod yn gallu brwydro yn erbyn y pleidiau eraill ac ennill.

“Dyna’r rheswm rwy’n ei chefnogi i fod yn arweinydd nesaf Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru.”

Tags: Press Releases by admin
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