Welsh Labour rules out using new powers to raise income tax

Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones today sent out a stark warning that May’s elections are a choice between a Labour and a Tory Government.

Speaking at the Welsh Labour Conference in Llandudno, Jones told delegates that it will be a straight fight between him and Welsh Conservatives leader Andrew RT Davies as to who will be in power after May 5th.

And he added a new promise to the pledges revealed earlier in the week, when he ruled out the possibility of Welsh Labour raising taxes with the newly devolved powers.

“I can say with absolute certainty, that when income tax powers are devolved to Wales, there will be no tax rises under the next Welsh Labour Government,” he told the conference.  “This again will demonstrate responsibility rewarded. If you work hard, we are going to stand with you and be there in the tough times.”

This pledge is in stark contrast to Scottish Labour, who recently pledged to use the new powers to raise income tax in order to invest in education

Jones encouraged the people of Wales to stick with Labour in order to continue with the “momentum” they have gained in improving education, health and the economy.

“The momentum we are seeing in our schools, hospitals and in our economy can only now be scuppered by a change in political direction in the Assembly,” he said.

Following Jeremy Corbyn’s speech earlier in the day, where the Labour leader said that the party “let people down” by losing last May, Jones outlined how the choice for the next government in Wales was between Labour and the Tories. He said:

“You know I’m not in the habit of agreeing with Andrew RT Davies.

“For those of you who don’t know him, and there’s no reason why you should – he’s the Tory leader in the National Assembly for Wales.

“And he’s said two things in response to some recent polls which I totally agree with.

“He said that the Tories are the only alternative to Welsh Labour in the Assembly – and he has also said that it is a straight fight between me and him for who will be the next First Minister of Wales.

“And he’s dead right on both counts.

“There are distractions on the side-lines, not least from UKIP, but we can never lose sight of the fact that this election is a straight fight between Labour and the Tories.

“Our vision and values against theirs.

“That is not a fight the people of Wales can afford us to lose.”