THE Welsh Tories chose the home turf of Newport Gwent Dragons to launch their pitch for the council elections.
In their national manifesto, launched yesterday, the Welsh Conservatives say they will freeze council tax, scrap business rates for small firms, put teachers in control of schools and freeze Severn Crossing tolls.
The glossy brochure was launched by leader Andrew RT Davies, Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan, Monmouthshire cabinet member Bob Greenland and UK Tory co-chairman Baroness Warsi at a lounge in the Bisley stand.
The manifesto states Tories would freeze council tax across Wales and publish details of spending over £500.
Some policies in the booklet, such as scrapping business rates or putting doctors and nurses in control of local hospitals, could only be put into practice in the Assembly.
The manifesto says the Welsh Tories are committed to freezing Severn Bridge tolls, but Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan told the Argus that is not the policy of the UK government and is an aspiration of the Welsh Conservatives in the Assembly.
Tolls are controlled by UK government legislation.
Welsh Tories leader Andrew RT Davies said Labour believes “they have the divine right to rule in Wales.”
He said: “What has that rule delivered us?
“We can be trusted to deliver, look at our record in local government, in Newport and Monmouthshire, giving value for money and improved services.”
He added that it is a national manifesto, and local manifestos are going out across Wales.
Tory Newport councillor David Fouweather, cabinet member for street services, said: “We’ve done a good job in Newport.
“We have started the redevelopment of the city centre and we would like the opportunity to carry on with the job for the next five years.”
● Plaid Cymru
– which currently controls Caerphilly council in a coalition – also launched its manifesto this week, saying the party will campaign to save needed local services and bring empty properties back into use.
The Welsh Communist Party, which is contesting seats in Blaenavon, is to launch its manifesto today.
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