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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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Tory spending plans 'all spin and no content' says AM
September 5, 2006 7:50 PM
A Tory proposal to bring the Commonwealth Games to Wales could take money from vital services according to South Wales West Liberal Democrat Assembly Member, Peter Black.
The suggestion was recently put forward by the Conservatives in the Welsh Assembly and, although all parties agreed to look at the feasibility of doing it, many remain sceptical about how it will be paid for. Now the Conservative spokesperson on Sport, and Leader of Porthcawl Town Council, Chris Smart, has argued in a recent Tory leaflet that Swansea should play a major part in such a bid.
"This is typical of the mood music that we have all come to associate with Dave Cameron's Conservatives - all spin and no content," said Mr Black. "The Conservatives have made no attempt to cost their proposal or say which year they want to bid for. As a Conservative regional list candidate for next year's Assembly elections and an experienced sports journalist, Mr. Smart should know better."
"If the Tories are not to be judged guilty of promoting style over substance yet again, they need to answer a few straight questions. First, which year do they suggest we bid for? The next Games in 2010 are to be held in Delhi, so we would be bidding against Glasgow for the 2014 Games - and the UK Sports Minister has already given official support to that bid. If Glasgow is successful, the 2018 Games will be held in the southern hemisphere. If not, no doubt Glasgow will bid a second time with official backing, and we will be out of it again. So we would be bidding for the 2022 Games."
"Then there is the cost. Figures I have seen suggest that we are talking about £300 to £400 million for the facilities alone. Will the Conservatives say what they propose to cut in order to make this investment? The annual NHS capital budget for Wales is around £200 million. This scheme could easily become an expensive white elephant that will take money from vital services."
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