LEADING COMMUNIST TO FIGHT NEW LABOUR IN CARDIFF

Sunday 28. February 2010

Welsh Communists have selected the party's General Secretary in Britain, Rob Griffiths, to contest Cardiff South and Penarth in the forthcoming General Election. Mr Griffiths lives in the constituency, in Splott, and was brought up there in Llanrumney where he attended Bryn Hafod primary school.

He will be challenging New Labour MP Alun Michael, former Home Office minister and First Minister in the National Assembly for Wales until forced to resign in 2000.

'The Communist Party will put forward an alternative left-wing programme to New Labour policies of privatisation, a police state and imperialist war - policies with which Mr Michael is closely identified', Mr Griffiths told the party's Welsh Committee in Pontypridd at the weekend.

'Our manifesto will support workers taking action to defend public services, manufacturing jobs, wages, pensions and trade union rights. We need public ownership of gas, electricity and public transport to cut charges and plan for a low-carbon economy', he declared.

The Communist Party leader also attacked Mr Michael's political record.

'From nuclear disarmament to a Parliament for Wales, he has abandoned many of the principles and values on which he was first elected', Mr Griffiths pointed out.

In contrast to Mr Michael's position, which has embroiled him in controversy about his parliamentary allowances, the Communist prospective candidate insisted that MPs should receive no more than the average wage of a skilled worker, with minimal expenses.

NOTE:

The Welsh Communist Party had previously decided to contest the Caerffili constituency, rather than clash with another left-wing challenge in Cardiff South and Penarth. Now that it is clear there will not be an independent left candidate in Cardiff South and Penarth, Welsh Communists are reverting to their earlier preference to contest that seat.