Traditional communities will decide election victors

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 12th Apr 2007

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Lembit Opik says Wales' overlooked communities will provide the votes which can tip the balance on the regional lists at the Welsh General Election.

On a campaigning visit to Torfaen with local candidate Patrick Legge, Mr Opik said that communities like Griffithstown would play a crucial role in deciding which parties are the winners on May 3.

Lembit said: "Areas like Griffithstown don't normally get much of a say in elections. But at this Assembly election, their votes will be crucial. The South Wales East region will depend on places like this: taken for granted by Labour for decades. People I've met in all regions of Wales are telling me they are tired of Labour. They understand that they have two votes, and can use them to elect Welsh Liberal Democrats instead.

"This is true across Wales - in areas where voting Liberal Democrat is an occasional treat, rather than a positive addiction. In every region of Wales, we have candidates who can win. And where we already have a regional AM, we can win a second. But to do that, we have to get all the people who sympathise with Welsh Liberal Democrat policies - like smaller class sizes, a guaranteed standard of health service, green action and extra uniformed officers on the beat - to come out and give us both of their votes.

"Doubling your vote for the Welsh Liberal Democrats gives us two chances to get elected. It's like buying a lottery ticket, and getting another one for free.

"Mike German and Veronica Watkins would be a winning team for South East Wales - but to get that second list seat we have to get the people who vote for Welsh Liberal Democrats at the council elections to make sure they use both their votes at the Assembly."

Notes:

Lembit and Patrick will be meeting voters in Griffithstown from 11am, followed by a visit to the railway museum.

Patrick Legge is a PR consultant who has recently won a contract to promote Hornby's products and events throughout England and Wales.

The Panteg ward of Torfaen Council is held by Welsh Liberal Democrat Cllr Kathleen Williams