We can still beat Trish (From South Wales Argus)

We can still beat Trish

9:52am Friday 12th January 2007

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BLAENAU Gwent can be won back next May by a Labour party working "flat out" to carry it's message to the people, said Assembly first minister Rhodri Morgan Speaking to the Argus Mr Morgan said he was "modestly confident" Labour's "superb" candidate, Keren Bender, can defeat Independent AM Trish Law in the Assembly elections.

Mr Morgan said the "unwinding of 200 years of industry" had hit Blaenau Gwent hard, causing many in what was a traditional Labour heartland to turn against the party.

And he put last year's historic defeat in both the Assembly seat and the Parliamentary seat, at the hands of Independents Mrs Law and Dai Davies, down to dual factors.

"It was a combination of a by-election in which people know they can't change the colour of the government in Westminster or Cardiff but they can deliver a kick on the backside of Labour," said Mr Morgan.

"At the same time there was a sympathy vote which made it doubly difficult for us."

Mrs Law picked up the baton left by her husband Peter Law, Blaenau Gwent's Independent AM and MP who died last year.

Mr Morgan conceded there was a "local perception" that the party was arrogant in the run-up to last year's election.

"We would have to accept that but it's a little unfair - I don't think we were," he said.

This year there will be an "active campaign" focussing on what Labour will deliver.

"We've got to provide more than a sign on a piece of waste ground - and we will deliver.

"People need to see the railway link working and the steel frame of the hospital on the former Corus site going up."

Mr Morgan said the controversy surrounding sex offenders being housed at Prescoed Open Prison is a matter for the Home Office.

"But the confidence of the community in the policy has been lost," he conceded.

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