Charm offensive 'has work cut out' (From Free Press Series)

Charm offensive 'has work cut out'

2:02pm Friday 30th May 2008

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WELSH Labour has launched a national charm offensive to win back voters, kicking off in Cwmbran today.

The party's candidates for next year's European parliamentary elections will be unveiled in the town this afternoon, with a promise to "reconnect" the party with hardworking families across Wales.

But in Torfaen the party will have its work cut out.

The visit to Cwmbran comes amid local fury after Labour was controversially returned to power in Torfaen Council thanks to the support of three Plaid Cymru and two independent councillors.

The Torfaen People's Coalition, made up of independent, Conservative, People's Voice and Liberal Democrat councillors, is opposing the leadership.

And one independent councillor is looking into the possibility of a referendum to change the council's constitution so all parties are proportionally represented.

Today Labour's European candidates Eluned Morgan, Derek Vaughan, Lisa Stevens and Gareth Williams will launch Labour's new In touch: On the Ground campaign, a series of visits across the country.

They will visit the Savy youth skills project, based in the Cwmbran Centre for Young People, which has received £1.17m of European structural funds. Candidates will visit a series of community projects, hold public meetings, set up street stalls to bring senior politicians to people's doorsteps and launch a new web initiative so people can stay in touch online.

Mrs Morgan said the project was just one example of projects delivered by Labour with European cash helping to up-skill and regenerate Welsh communities.

She promised to engage in discussion and debate with ordinary people across Wales and show them that Labour is fighting for them.

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