02/05/2012 am.pm

Good afternoon. Welcome to the programme. As footballers prepare

for the FA Cup final this Saturday, politicians are getting ready for

their own cup final, tomorrow's local elections. Rupert Murdoch has

written to staff at British newspapers acknowledging that he

should have cracked down faster on the wrong doing at the News of the

World after some MPs say he's not a fit person to run a major

international business. And we look ahead to tomorrow's elections.

I will be looking at why he voters often call for the local produce on

offer. And on the last full day of

campaigning, I will be hearing from representatives of the Labour and

Conservative parties about why they think they should have your vote.

Joining the are two Assembly Members and two former council

leaders. We do not throw this programme together! Good morning.

The Prime Minister would not be at the despatch box or -- answering

his weekly Questions today. But there is plenty happening in

Westminster. We mentioned earlier on, Rupert

Murdoch and the report yesterday from the committee. The headlines

from that was that Rupert Murdoch was not a fit person to run a major

international business. Is that for politicians to say? I think more

intriguing is exactly what the extent of his knowledge was

regarding what went on. I find it very difficult given his track

record with regard to the way in which he has controlled companies

to believe that he did not know what was going on. That is the

impression he is trying to create. If he did not -- if he did know

what was going on, I think it is right that politicians should

actually give their views on that. There are some politicians who

perhaps were quite close to Robert -- Rupert Murdoch when it suited

them. That is what they need to ask questions about as well. What you

make of the headline of the committee report? Rupert Murdoch's

denials and his son's denials in not remembering much do not ring

true. Flatley, I think they are telling lies.

It is funny because the Tories are now accused of being too close to

Rupert Murdoch but the truth is that Labour when in government

courted Rupert Murdoch avidly. Tony Blair was in and out of his house

on a regular basis. And they felt that they had to do

so in order to gain his support. Everybody is as guilty as each

other in the main parties because they felt that he -- his influence

through his newspapers was Orpheus and so pervasive. You mentioned how

parties courted Rupert Murdoch but if we look at the vote yesterday,

members of the committee took a vote as to whether they approved

what was said and that was split on party lines. The Conservatives not

happy to endorse the view that he was not fit and proper.

Yes, and you can almost understand it. Labour and the Liberal

Democrats now want to put as much distance between them and Rupert

Murdoch as they can. He has an awful, terrible man. And Labour

when in power courted him, Gordon Brown did, Tony Blair did. But now

it since then to painting as dark as they can find -- as dark a brush

as they can find. It is just politics. Your party voted to

support the idea that he was not a fit person.

News Corporation say that tears. What do you make of the political

split on the committee? Does anything like that happen in the

Assembly? Not in my experience. We tend to debate the recommendations

put forward uncertainly, I am not aware of minority reports coming

out, but I think the nature of politics in the Assembly is quite

different to that in Westminster, luckily. I would say there is a

weakness here, we tend to feel that we should agree on everything. It

is not natural. You do not agree on everything in the Chamber. It means

that the recommendations for the often are a bit general. Even the

Government accepts most of them. There is something unnatural about

that. I think that might change as the institution becomes more mature.

And in reality, we will have more meaty legislation. It may well be

the case that there are minority reports for example if it is the

case that the Government cannot actually get its way as far as it

legislate -- Lesley to programme is concerned. -- legislative.

might start calling questions on disagreeing we are members of

committees? It very much depends on the topics. To date, the

committee's advice on, we have been discussing things like oral health.

The reality there is there was agreement amongst the committee

which was even critical of some of the stance is that the Government

took. The Government in that case, the Welsh government, it has

rejected one of the recommendations. It was only accepted one in

principle. -- it has. The committee took a somewhat critical view of

the programme. That is how we committee should operate. Are you

going to be causing havoc on committees? As I get older,

obviously, I will probably get wilder! And more insane. There is a

suggestion in the last Assembly when Andrew Davis and Brian Gibbons

stop being Ministers and went on to committees, they really did cause

some problems for people giving evidence. You are a former Minister.

Maybe you can cause some have it yourself. Certainly, I do not

believe that committees should operate, they should try to operate

objectively. That is not easy. There is a tendency for the

Government benches to try and protect Ministers. That is to focus

and -- understandable. There is no reason why you cannot take an

independent view as a committee. There are sound reasons sometimes

for agreeing as a committee and operating independently. But there

are other times when it is obvious that there are other things at play.

Politics being one of them. We will leave it there for now. We

will move on to see what is happening in the Senedd today.

Good afternoon. Quite an interesting afternoon in prospect,

as always. We start off with ministerial

questions to the Education Minister, later Andrews. And in local

Government Minister, Carl Sargeant. -- Leighton Andrews. And then

emotion to establish a committee to scrutinise the First Minister and

elect members to back new committee. We have the first debate of the

afternoon. It is on oral health, children's oral health specifically.

There was a report a couple of months back which was quite

interesting on the way forward on that issue. A couple of

recommendations in the tiddler. Dentists should do more to prevent

tooth decay and other matters in the first place.

They wanted to keep an open mind about this idea of adding fluoride

to the water supply. There is a lot of debate about that.

Following that, a couple of debates which are very much focused on

tomorrow's comes elections. The Conservatives want to talk about

Council Tax. The argument that they feel the money provided by the UK

government to freeze Council Tax in Wales if the Welsh government what

did to that, they did not, should have been passed on to the Council

Tax payer. The Government decided would be far

more useful to spend that money on apprenticeships. And on home energy

efficiency. Even more so, you might argue, the

Liberal Democrat debate which follows. It is on how effective the

management of their councils has been. Was that the kind of debate

that was envisaged all those years ago? I do not know. It is

interesting we are having an -- a debate on how effective sum was

councils are. -- some Welsh councils. The short debate, today

it is from the Conservative form of Wales, Mark Isherwood. He wants to

talk a lot hospices and palliative care.

You can watch the proceedings live on Democracy Live. Online coverage.

The address is on the screen. Let's have more on the phone

hacking scandal. Good afternoon. What is the latest

this morning. --? We have had plenty so far this morning on the

sofa. A strongly-worded report published by the committee

yesterday is losing a bit of it might become as committee members

cannot agree on the detail. -- because. Let's see what they set

out to do. It wanted to see if certain individuals had misled the

committee and therefore Parliament. It relates to previous hearings on

the phone hacking. The conclusion is clear. All the members agree on

the conclusion of lard. Three former executives did mislead

Parliament. This report has gone beyond its original remit by

criticising the boss himself, Rupert Murdoch, and saying he is

not a fit and proper person to be the head of a global company. It is

on that particular criticism that has caused the split within the

committee. That spitters on party lines. It is clear that

Conservatives do not agree with it. It is the Conservative MPs that a

poll that particular criticism of Rupert Murdoch. -- a poll was. --

oppose. It is said that it means the report is effectively worthless.

That is because it will be perceived as being partisan. News

Corporation has issued a statement to say that they apologise for all

be wrong to win but the attack on Rupert Murdoch himself is

unjustified. -- wrongdoing. But it makes it seem as if the

Conservative MPs are siding with Rupert Murdoch. And it creates

further tension within the coalition. Does this damage Rupert

Murdoch? Of course it is damaging to half the sorts of headlines. --

have. It casts a Shadow over Rupert Murdoch's stake in BSkyB. Results

will be published in due course. But oddly enough, BSkyB does not

seem to be suffering at the moment because of these headlines. At

close of play yesterday, shares were up. News Corporation has

issued a statement saying that profits are up. As well as

customers. Rupert Murdoch has e- mailed its staff -- his staff say

in this report is hard reading but BSkyB insists it is fit and proper.

Parliament is in recess. MPs are back next Wednesday. What can we

expect our --? Many would say it is not a break. They are loud drumming

up support for local election candidates. MPs will be back on May

9th for the Queen's Speech. Parties when the Government sets out its

legislative programme. -- that is when. One bill that will cause a

bit of problem -- tension within the coalition will be that they

will that relates to the House of We'll talk about local elections

today, but tomorrow is the day of the London mayoral election. It has

been a lively campaign? Yes, it's been a bloody battle in London

between the two main candidates, Labour's Ken Livingstone and the

Conservative, Boris Johnson. Other candidates of course include Brian

Paddick for Liberal Democrats and the independent candidate and Jenny

Jones for the Greens. You can go to the BBC web-site for the full list.

The polls show the most recent Politics Show that Boris Johnson is

in the lead and the feeling is that Labour has missed a trick by

fielding Ken Livingstone. That it should have put forward a strong

female candidate that would have been a better contest for Boris

Johnson. And there is the feeling that possibly Ken Livingstone has

too much political baggage. It is never a good thing to predict

election results, but I'm pretty sure Boris Johnson will be in City

Hall for another term. Thank you. I have never been one for making

predictions and I never will. Now we don't just enjoy talking

amongsts ourselves in the studio, we want to hear from you. You can

Tomorrow the polling station will be open for the local elections.

Here is Mark at the Oriel. I'm joined by Nick Ramsay. Your party's

gone big on the idea of freezing Council Tax. Not many people will

disagree with that and not many taxpayers want to pay more. But

what services will you cut? Some people have disagreed with it. But

we are pleased. It is a populist measure? It is a pledge what has

happened in England. We don't see why people, just because they live

in Wales, won't benefit. The Welsh Government was given the money to

freeze Council Tax and they chose not to do that. In our areas we as

local authorities will be freezing Council Taxes where we can. Haven't

you hit on something, the Welsh Government has made the decision

not to enable that money to go on to freeze the tax f you do well

tomorrow, your councils still won't be able to freeze council tax. You

would need to be in power in the National Assembly. Nofrpblgts then

all councils would have had the -- No, then all councils would have

had the power to do it. In Monday moultshire, they have chose on the

freeze Council Tax and local Conservatives winning local

elections can freeze Council Tax. It is not as easy as it should have

been, but Conservativing will keep your Council Tax down. Some

services will be cut? No there are huge savings that can made in local

authorities. In Monmouthshire they have taken money from management

cost and it can be done. Don't think that local authorities just

because they haven't been given the resourcing from the government can

blame everyone else, but themselves. Its for locals to save Monday ci.

You mentioned Monmouth and the veil of Glamorgan, what do you think,

you have mentioned efficient circumstances is there a policy

platform that would appeal to people? I think if you look at

where we have been in power and where we controlled authorities,

then public services are doing well. So it is not just about making

savings, but value for money. In the sort of climate we're in,

households are having to save money, but they're having the same out

goings. We have said where local authorities want to levy more, they

should be allowed to ask people in a referendum if they want that.

Going through your manifesto, you are talking about direct funding of

schools. That has been a Conservative for a while, why do

you think it is a good idea to circumvent local education

authorities? Because of waste. If you give money to schools, not only

does it m power people to have the schools they want, but you don't

have the expensive management costs that we can't afford. It is

happening in England, there noise reason why it shouldn't happen here.

-- there is no reason why it shouldn't happen here and give

people the power to do things. We believe Conservatives are better

suited to do that. What about your plans for small business? That is

my particular interest. We believe that business rates are too high.

We're waiting to hear what the Government's panel comes back with,

but when I was, when I went to Caerphilly, people were saying time

after time these business rates are crippling us. Again, we think that

small businesses should be taken out of business rate relief. But

failing that there is some support. We have got through as much as we

can in the time. Thank you. Back to you. As I mentioned the Prime

Minister isn't facing his queebg -- weekly questions. So let's turn our

attention to the Senedd and yet's - - yesterday's questions to the

First Minister. Prior to the last elections, you gave a promise to

the people of Wales that a Welsh Labour Government would not

downgrade district General Hospitals. Today the BBC has

reported that your Government has a plan to undermine public confidence

in the NHS so you can go ahead with your plans to downgrade hospitals.

You have an opportunity now to set the record straight. Will you tell

us ahead of next Thursday's local elections does your Government plan

to downgrade hospitals, or centralise core services? It is a

serious allegation to make about the BBC that they have published a

news zory, claiming we're trying to undermine the health service. That

is not what they have said. I think the cat was let out of bag when she

talked of the local elections. From our point of view, we want to make

sure the health services are safe. No hospital is under threat. No

hospital was ever under threat in Wales. I note in the Plaid Cymru

press release, they say, as far a this report, which is not our

report, it is a cynical scaremongering tactic and people

across Wales will be horrified they are willing to sink to these depths

to get their way. I won'ter whether they were looking in the mirror

when that was written. -- wonder. It notice there was no denial in

the report and isn't tit kies that if your Government intend to

scaremongering to -- isn't it the case that your Government intends

to scaremongering. Would you say the BBC is scaremongering. Order.

Can we listen to this please? you. On the 1st February, your

health minister denied that she knew the LHB's plans with regard to

health reconfiguration, last week she confirmed that she was awaiting

LMB's plans. If that is true, how could you minister and your

Government know what case to make to the people of Wales? There are

no plans in place, final plan for the LHBs, this report was

commissioned by the confederation. Is not a Government report and

contains information we can't ignore. We want to improve the

health service and mortality rates. If that is not a priority for Plaid

Cymru, they should say. She is playing hard and fast with the

facts. She's stepped back from the allegation about the BBC and I

repeat what she didn't hear the first time, no hospital in Wales is

under threat and no hospital was ever under threat. We want to make

sure that there are centres of excellence across Wales that

provide services for the people of Wales. You say you have no final

plans, will you publish the plans that you have. You have tried to

keep t under wraps. Now you have been caught out. It is time for

honestty. If your Government is making the case, what are you

making the case for? What services do you intend to strip out of

Prince Philip hospital or the hospital in Wrexham, Prince Charles

in and I could go on. You know that there are big concerns about the

future of our district General Hospitals. First Minister, why

won't you come clean? Well I'm appraised to hear her say this is

secret. Because we published it on the web-site. It is not even our

report. Let me make something clear. She talks about scaremongering,

Plaid Cymru are handing out leaflets saying that we close A and

E and that another hospital will close. If that is not

scaremongering, I don't know what is. If we're going to have honestly,

let's have honestly from Plaid Cymru and let me say to the people

of clan earthly, there noise threat to those hospitals there never was

a threat to the hospitals. We want to make sure there are centres of

excellence in both areas, because we care about health, we care about

access to services, we care about outcomes and lives. But Plaid Cymru

seem to care about votes. Thank you. We move to question three. Will the

First Minister make a statement on the delivery of the programme for

Government. Yes we are making good progress and the first full report

will be published this month. course, it is the 1st May fr, now

the rights measure places the important duty on your Government

to have due regard to the UN convention on the rights of child

in all your policies. So how will you demonstrate what your

Government is specifically doing to uphold those rights? We know, what

the new law imposes on us. And of course we will be looking to, well

first we have ensured that the rights are worked through, all that

we do as a government and during the course of the debate on the

report of the programme for government there will be an

opportunity to question us on our progress. First Minister, I know

that many families many my constituency are benefiting from

flying start and I do welcome the additional �55 million investment

to support its expansion. That is going to help deliver better

outcome for children living in poverty. I was pleased to visit the

family centre and this is a community-based service, which

offers a range of family support services and advice to children,

parents and carers. Would you join with me in commending the work of

the centre and agree by investing in those early years of a child's

life that this an investment in their future? That is why we are

looking to double the number of family 40 can get the support of

programme. We know very well in addition to the new duties impose

on us by the measure, regarding children and young people, that

taken together this will be a significant step forward for young

people in Wales. Thank you. First Minister, your programme for

Government pledged to review what entrepreneural support is needed by

small firms to thrive and grow. We know that the independent review

panel into the impact of business rate relief will report later this

month. If that panel does recommend that there should be a reduction in

business rates, for businesses in Wales, will you give those

businesses an assurance that you will implement that recommendation?

We will await any recommendations before commenting. Thank you. 30

months ago, the healthy eating measure received royal consent.

That measure has not been commenced. Will do you intend to commerce the

measure? We had to wait for appetite for life to finish as a

programme to provide the evidence we needed. For primary schools it

will come into force in September this year. Will you outline your

priorities for the area. Yes the require priorities are to deliver

on our programme for government. This is one area that will suffer

if the coalition presses ahead and imposes regional pay on Wales. Can

you outline what steps the Welsh Government has taken to put the

argument against regional pay 5 what contacts it has with

Government and what steps are taken to mitigate the argument that is

being put forward for regional pay? Well we can't to -- continue to

make the case that we think regional pay is inappropriate.

Thank you. First Minister, one of the areas that has been let down by

Welsh government programmes, objective one and convergence

funding is Rhonda, sadly the outcomes have not been as desired

and figures are very disappointing. Given that the commissioner nor

regional policy from the EU was never last week and talked of

results in the next round of funding, what goal are you going to

set for your government to make sure that the last two

opportunities the previous governments have missed will not be

another missed opportunities when We will continue. We do need the UK

government to do its bit and reverse its disastrous you can at -

- economic policies. Unemployment is a big problem in Rhondda Cynon

Taff. Jobs we can ill afford to lose our lot rest in Rhondda Cynon

Taff and other parts of Wales. With the clock ticking Against the

threat and Remploy factories, what is your government doing to secured

their future? Have you push the idea of devolving the Remploy

budget to Wales? The Minister has visited all of the Remploy

factories. We have written to the UK government asking for the

devolution of the budget for Remploy. But has been refused. You

looking at other options. Perhaps we could help by seeing it saved

through social enterprises. They have a full order books. We will

continue to work and fight for those workers that have been let

down by the UK government. Rhondda Cynon Taff Council have been

spending money developing the centre of. Decreed. -- Pontypridd.

First Minister, local residents do not want the new development in

Talbot Green. It cuts against the evidence this Assembly has seen on

town-centre regeneration. It is not for me to call for it to be

reviewed. The Welsh government has a role in terms of whether they are

called in or not. Rhondda Cynon Taff have a good record in

developing the beard and environment. -- be urban

environment. The tobacco control action plan

aims to turn down smoking prevalence records by 2013. Could

you outline how the Government is to tackle the alarming increase in

smoking she Show. Recent research has suggested a smoker inhales over

100 full-strength cigarettes. It is currently unregulated.

I have to say there have been no specific discussions. But I will

raise the matter would be cheap -- Chief Medical Officer. I have seen

outside a premises, particularly in London. There are a number of

establishments that offer these pipes. I will take it up with the

Chief Medical Officer. Following his visit by young

ambassadors to the Assembly last week urging Assembly Members to

take part in the UK wide consultation on plain packaging

Fawcett -- cigarettes, what specific proposals are the First

Minister have to help young people that they have started smoking? To

help them stop smoking. There is support for young people aged

between 12 and 17. They are classified as smokers. Beset Shezad

-- sessions are delivered on a one- to-one basis. The service also

offers brief intervention to ensure they are aware of the support but

is available. -- that is available. Smoking in

cars is very damaging to the health of children. Why then will you not

start a process now legislating to ban smoking in cars? What we have

said is there is a campaign on going at the moment to reduce the

number of smokers smoking in cars when children are present. If that

does not work, we will legislate. Will the First Minister please

outline his plans to develop the Welsh tourism industry?

programme for government sets out our proposals. Thank you for that

answer. Last week, I have the opportunity to attend a conference

on sustainable tourism, during which the important matter of

overseas marketing of Wales as a destination was a topic of concern.

One of the concerns ranged was that your government has in recent times

drastically reduced the Budget and privatisation given to the

marketing of Wales. -- raised. We make a statement as to whether

these concerns are well-founded? -- Visit Wales has been allocated a

budget of �15.3 million for 2012. Eight by �6 million has been

earmarked for campaigns. -- �8.6 million. I spent some time talking

to tourism operators in America and India to see what will work in

terms of promoting Wales in those markets. Some of the ideas they

give us will be implemented. That was first must -- Minister's

questions from yesterday afternoon. We are now talking about tomorrow's

local elections. But before we do that, for the local health boards

would not have broken even this year without an emergency cash

injection of more than 12 bn-Pounds from the was government. The

Government describes it as a remarkable achievement. A

remarkable achievement to break- even? It is a remarkable statement,

to say that that the boards have broken even after handing over �12

million. I hate there something wrong with the arithmetic. -- I

think there is something wrong. �150 million was given to the

boards to try and get them through this difficult period. Three of

them have failed. Questions need to be asked about that. There are

strains and stresses but there is no point going round the place

saying they have broken even just because they have been handed �12.5

million. It is a remarkable statement. Economical with the

truth. I'd Roberts, do you agree it is a remarkable achievement? --

Aled Roberts. We need a degree of honesty. The spin-doctors have a

run away with the story to a certain degree. There is an

election tomorrow, of course. there was no need. The Health

Minister indicated quite clearly there was no extra money and get 12

million has been given. -- yet. What is more worrying is the part

of the state the same that �12 million will be taken out of the

budgets for this coming year -- statement saying. What we need from

the Health Minister is a degree of honesty. I do not think this does

her any credit whatsoever. We will get some response some Labour now

actually. We will come to that in a minute.

All -- first of all, your party has made a big issue of the UK

government in this campaign. But the UK government has not run Welsh

councils. In part, a referendum. But it did think that actions are

held in splendid isolation. This will be in part a UK government

referendum. On the ground, it will be a judgment on local councils.

You have not put out any national manifesto. The other parties are

said where they stand. We have stayed true to our principles. Our

opponents have sold out. What is important for local councils is

people know what local parties are going to be doing on that the

ground at to make sure they are most responsive to what is

happening in their street, not to some national party. Are you

confirm that will have happened? Yes, I am. A lot of people get

their information from the media. It is important the message is

unique to every local area. It is important. We would not expect

anything to be top-heavy. I know the Tories have done it differently.

Their campaign has been London's centralised. We have local messages

going out across Wales. Give us an example of these local messages.

my area, one that is strong is transport. That is really important.

It chimes with a lot of people. They are struggling at the moment.

What are you going to do to ease that problem? We are looking to

make sure that more children can get to schools where at the moment

the schools are having to pay for transport. In Llangollen, we are

looking at ways to make sure puts - - children can go to school without

the burden falling on schools. That is a really local issue but it is

incredibly important. In terms of the party's campaign,

in Cardiff, you are talking about freezing Council Tax. That is

something the Tories are very big on. Why not make that a pledge

everywhere? So absurd -- subsidiarity. Decisions on a cut

local government. -- are made by. There are decisions made by people

that are taken into account at local level. All councils are going

to have different issues that they need to address. They need to

address it in line with spending commitments. Let's look at business.

What about this has added local council level? At the moment, we

have a local Lib Dem Lead coalition. They did not set up to the mark. We

are now looking at if Labour can form a majority in Wrexham after

Thursday and we will be looking more proactively at promoting

Wrexham as an innovation centre... What would be a good result over or

in Wales? I am not looking at figures. On Friday, we will be one

be closer to the UK coalition government's demise. -- one day.

What about this breaking story on the health boards. The Minister

said she would be tough with them. Many people will think the

Government looks a bit lame. The Minister is going to be looking

into this and as I understand, there will be an external financial

review. People in the NHS are working incredibly hard. The public

sector is working incredibly hard and they are not being credit but

the desert by the UK government in these tough times. -- they deserve.

Yoga and is trying to spin a failure as a success. -- your

government. It is about being responsive.

None of these are in the areas that I represent. So I do not know. But

it is important that the Minister's continues to keep an eye on it.

Local elections more than any other election are historically a forum

for independent councillors to do very well.

But what do they offer? Competition on Welsh high streets

is fierce. In a crowded marketplace, it can be tough for independent

resellers to make their mark and as the council election draws to we

close, independent candidates are trying to make sure their voices

are here. But in local politics, voters in Wales often go for local

produce. They avoid the big brand names. This independent

greengrocers says been distinctive his key. -- being. We sell so many

different items at the moment ranging from Asian, Caribbean, run

of female British fooled. We are catering for a wide range at the

moment. -- run of the Mini does run moment. -- run of the Mini does run

moment. -- run of the Mini does run moment. -- run of the Mini does run

People have connected local politics because traditional

parties have not been in charge. It gives you freedom of

independence to deal with issues that are front facing to the public

and the committees that you represent. It is dealing with

people rather than with party politics. 200 and centre nine

independent councillors were returned last time out. -- 279.

There has been a general long-term trend in Britain and right across

the democratic world of declining senses of support and loyalty

towards major political parties. That does creates an opportunity

for people not attached to political parties. In 2003, John

Marek warning came as a victory for an independent candidate when he

became an interest -- Assembly Member. I'd personally prefer them

to be of a party. To be honest, they have too many independents in

Pembrokeshire County Council. the man my vote for every time. It

is the person of the top. The person that does the work, not the

party. Many voters last time out bought the Independent's campaign.

They will have to convince them they have delivered on the quality

produce they promise last time Now ore erover to Mark. I'm joined

by Darren Hill. Let's look at the parties. Labour first, they seem to

be putting great store by the idea if they point out the failings of

the UK government that will be enough to win here? I seemed to

work at the Assembly elections, so I don't blame them for trying the

same tactics. They're coming from a low base, 20 year ago they were in

control of 14 local authorities. Last time they won two outright.

The only way is up for them. In some authorities, that is quite a

slog N Cardiff they're coming from 14 seats and would need to get up

to late 30s to take control that. Would be a massive swing. But in

other authorities, Newport, Swansea, perhaps others the climate may not

be as great to deliver a significant return.

Conservatives are emphasising they're on the side of the Council

Tax payer who does not want to pay more. That could be a popular idea?

I don't think the Conservatives can do too badly. In the last local Lex

elections they did well and the Liberal Democrats took the brunt of

the unpopularity. The Conservatives have had a sticky few weeks with

David Cameron not being the asset he has been. They will probably

take a knock, but I think they will hold on to Monmouth and some other

authorities they may emerge in that position in terms of leading

councils after Thursday. They're in power, or hold the balance in

Newport that is the kind of area they may have more of a fight on?

think Newport is an interesting one, the Conservatives and Liberal

Democrats are running the authority together, it is the only one where

the UK government is replicated and the fight is being fought on UK

terms. Plied have a new leader and seem to be down playing

pectionations as if they -- expectations as if they don't want

anything to go wrong. Well she has only be in position six week and

won't have had a Hans to transform the party. But she has energised

the party and been visiting member and that will do them good. They

had a good election in 2008. Can they hold on to their seat sths

will be the key. We must mention the Liberal Democrats. They have

punched above their weight in the past and have been running Cardiff

and Wrexham. They may face difficulty? I think they will have

a difficult night. I can't see them having the amount of sway they had

come Friday morning. So many variables, can independents and

others, but for now, thank you. A fitting round of applause for Mark

there. The local elections aren't the only event, today the First

Minister's been launching Gemau Cymru, for young people. Mark was

there for the launch and spoke to two of the people who will be

involved. To talk about this exciting event I'm joined by the

Chief Executive and Dr Hugh Jones. Gemau Cymru, what is it? It is a

mini-Olympics for young people and in July all around Cardiff young

people will be competing with each other to reach the top of their

sport. What events are we looking at? All sorts. 12 different sports

from rugby, disabled sports, netball and a wide variety and

rowing for the first time. And there will an athletes village to

get a true experience. That is crucial, that our athletes are used

to hopefully the kinds of events they may compete in later in their

careers? Snee yes the om multi- sports -- Yes the only murt sports

are the Olympics and this provides an early experience of living in

that athlete environment and prepare themselves and getting to

their events and performing at the highest standards. How old are the

young people we're talking about? It will vary, depending on the

sportings u but most are between 14 Athletic 17 or 18. -- between 14

and 17 or 18. It is an opportunity to ensure that those that do have

talent will be able to perform at the best for Wales in the years to

come. How do young people get involved? Are we talking about

people who are already well known? Yes there are varying structure and

this will fit into the varying structures of sport and it is meant

to be top level and a centre of excellence for young people and to

be something for their to aspire to. We make no apology for that. It

will be the best young athletes competing. It is being launched

here today by the First Minister himself. What role have the Welsh

government had? They have been crucial in pulling together the

partners who will be staging this event. We are pleased to have

Olympic sponsors this year non-lip sponsors without their co-operation,

this couldn't happen. It is a partnership between the Coll untri,

the public and the private sector and hopefully will be a legacy.

what extents can see see this as people are asking, where is the

Welsh legacy from the Olympics, this is part of that? Yes We want

to see more people taking part in sport. Whether they are children or

young people. We want to ensure we have a structure to deliver talent.

This ehaven't will be part of that second activity. Making sure that

we have a talent identification structure. The other week we

launched our community strategy and next month we will launch an

initiative with the earth. Now we have spoken to everyone about the

local elections. We had almost a prophet of doom, Darren Hill saying

that you would lose out. Counter that Well the reality is we have

kept the message local and gone out in the areas where we have been in

control or running coalitions and have said to people, listen this is

our track record. I think if you look at the record compared to

previous administrations, you have well well run council who have kept

Council Tax low and people have seen an improvement. That is a

message that people will actually resonate with and we will see what

the results are tomorrow. You don't want to talk about being in

coalition in Westminster? We have done it because these are local

elections and it is important that people know who will be responsible

for their local service. I was interested in the comments from Ken,

if he checks with his business minister, Wrexham did put an

enterprise zone application in that, was turned down by the Labour Party.

Now Alun Ffred Jones I was going call you Plaid Cymru's election

supremo, but we will have to wait for the results. What do you say

about people who are not sure they will vote for Plaid Cymru.

councils we have controlled and are in partnership with, we have a fine

track record and kept the message we expect our councils to be

leaders within the communities and to go the extra mile, because I

think people expect that and should expect that. But in over all terms

we have a good record in term of economic development with good

schemes, where we have created 350 onjobs in one areament. And the

same in Cardiff with the excellent fund which has created 600 jobs and

Caerphilly with an apprenticeship scheme. Sound financial control and

good democratic management, in working alongside other partners

and this is what Labour fail to do very often. I was interested Peter

Hain called the independents Quaye si Tories, but Labour are in

partnership with the quasiTories. So all in all, I think I agree with

my colleague, that these are local election and especially in the west

and the north, and perhaps in some of the urban areas, local issues

will prevail and people will look and vote for the person rather than

some fancy ideology, if there is such a thing in local elections. It

is about the people who you can trust in these difficult times, who

are the people you can trust to make these difficult decisions at a

local level? And that is why they are unpredictable. No one likes

making preDixs, do you, will you still be holding the councils you

hold now? The response has been more positive than the political

pun dills would have you believe and I think it will turn on

personalities and the fact that there is a good track record in

those areas. Will you hold as many councils It depends on a few seats.