NEWPORT West Conservatives have been claiming in their election leaflets that I – as the local AM – wanted the critical care unit at the Royal Gwent Hospital to leave Newport.

They have now accepted that this was totally untrue and have agreed to withdraw this claim.

I have consistently supported the retention of critical care at the hospital and I am astounded that anybody should have suggested otherwise.

They also say that the Royal Gwent Hospital needs “saving”.

I have been pressing for more Assembly investment in the hospital for some time and a phased redevelopment programme will now start shortly – hardly an indication that the Royal Gwent is being run down!

I have also asked for more userfriendly GP surgery hours and better use of community pharmacies for front-line treatment. This will now happen.

Labour has its finger on the pulse of Newport people by maintaining free prescriptions, free bus passes, free parking in hospitals, the Foundation Phase for young school children, schemes to help redundant workers and the cap on student fees.

I don’t believe that voters in Newport would want to see the hare-brained health and education policies which the Conservatives now plan for England.

A Labour Government inWales will make sure of that. Labour is already shieldingWales fromWestminster cuts, and will continue to invest in jobs, schools, hospitals and local services.

Welsh Labour will put another 500 Police Community Support Officers on to our streets.

My priorities for Newport are health, regeneration in the city centre and Pill, new jobs, new businesses, new retail facilities, better services for older people, and the harnessing of the Severn estuary for green energy instead of nuclear power.

More than £30m has been invested by the Assembly Government in Newport Unlimited – the city’s urban regeneration company. And there’s more to come.

There has been a steady programme of capital investment in Newport schools. The Assembly Government will ensure that more of the education budget allocated to local authorities goes directly to schools. And a Welsh Jobs Fund will create new opportunities for school leavers.

Money invested in the Ryder Cup brought millions of pounds back into the local economy.

The renovated Transporter Bridge and much of the development along the riverfront has been partly financed by the Assembly.

Labour cares about Newport. I firmly believe Newport has a future under Labour.