Dominic Hannigan leads debate on crime at Welsh Lib Dem Conference

10.21.31am GMT Mon 12th Mar 2007

The Welsh Liberal Democrats met in Swansea this weekend for their conference ahead of May's crucial Assembly elections.

During the weekend, the party set out its final ideas for the manifesto which will be published shortly.

Cardiff South and Penarth Assembly Spokesperson, Dominic Hannigan proposed the manifesto section on crime and social justice on Sunday morning.

In his speech, Dominic talked about the Lib Dem promise of up to 500 extra Police Community Support Officers across Wales and the need to battle anti-social behaviour through community punishments and by giving local people a say in sentencing.

Dominic said, "This weekend showed that the party is ready for government. We have the ideas on health, education, the environment and crime. We are ready to drive Wales forward and improve the lives of everyone.

"I was particularly pleased to have the honour of leading the debate on crime. We must build a fairer, safer Wales and the ideas that the Welsh Lib Dems have can do just that.

"We must reject ID cards and spend the money on more police, we must employ more community based officers and we must do something to deal with Wales' drug problems.

"Labour have failed to deal with crime and the causes of crime. It is the Welsh Lib Dems who can make our society fairer and safer.

Sir Ming Campbell also visited the conference on Friday evening and spoke about the urgent need to build a greener and fairer Wales.

A full report on conference can be seen at www.welshlibdems.org.uk