Plaid to support the 'have nots'

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Plaid Cymru is to launch its election manifesto with a promise to stand up for "have nots" rather than "haves".The party will outline the key policies it would want to see in return for its support in a hung parliament.

Its manifesto is expected to concentrate on seven key areas of policy where it would try to extract concessions from a minority government.

They will include protecting the budget of the Welsh assembly and extra powers, and a rise in the basic state pension.

Plaid will also be seeking better care for armed service veterans., encouraging the growth of business in Wales through improved broadband and rail links.

It will also call for an action plan on the environment to help create "green" jobs.

Leader Ieuan Wyn Jones is expected to portray his party as the defender of the poorest and most vulnerable in society, while accusing the other parties of pandering to big business and the banks.


Plaid returned three MPs at the last election, and is in a "Celtic bloc" with the Scottish National Party.This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.