03/02/2012 Party Political Broadcasts: Welsh Conservatives

Wales, a proud small nation with a rich history

of triumph over adversity.

But today, Wales is being held back.

Held back by a Labour government in the Assembly

which is failing to take the tough decisions

to get our economy back on its feet.

After 12 years of Labour governments in the Assembly,

school standards are falling behind other developed nations,

the Welsh NHS is facing deeper cuts than anywhere else in the UK,

Wales is the poorest nation in the United Kingdom.

Under Labour, council tax in Wales has doubled.

Families and pensioners are paying more for vital services.

Conservatives in government

are freezing council tax in England for the second year running.

Conservatives in Scotland voted successfully to freeze council tax.

But in Wales, Labour decided not to pass on the extra money

made available to council tax payers.

Hard-pressed families and pensioners will now be stretched even further

as a result of Labour not passing on the discount to council tax payers.

Welsh Conservatives will freeze council tax,

putting money in people's pockets,

helping families through difficult economic times.

Welsh Conservative-run councils do more for less,

delivering services more efficiently,

raising standards for all,

delivering council tax reductions for everyone.

Welsh Conservatives will take the difficult decisions

in the Welsh national interest, as we are doing in the coalition

in Westminster, bringing down Labour's deficit,

supporting businesses and creating new jobs,

investing in our nation's future.

Welsh Conservatives will safeguard vital services

under threat from Labour, we will protect our local hospitals,

and invest in the future of our NHS.

We will take action to protect jobs,

scrapping business rates for all small businesses,

to allow them to expand in order to create jobs.

Setting up enterprise zones

to focus the efforts on rebuilding our economy.

Working with Conservatives in government

in order to get our economy back on track.

Welsh Conservatives - on your side, tackling the deficit,

protecting our hospitals, freezing council tax.

Investing in Wales's future.