GMOs

Waste

Transport

Energy

Planning

Total

Cons

4

2

0

3

4

13

Green

5

9

8

7

3

32

Lab

3

5

3

5

2

18

LD

4

7

4

7

3

25

Plaid

5

8

5

9

5

32

Conservatives

Green Party

Labour Party

Liberal Democrats

Plaid Cymru

GM Free Wales

No mention of GM at all despite the Conservatives' high profile on the issue in the first term of the Assembly. Their strong stance against GM crops in Wales over the last few years, led recently by Glyn Davies and Peter Rogers, gains them a few points.

"... banning research and sale of genetically modified organisms in Wales"

Very bold commitment but suffers from a lack of workable policy proposals.

"The most restrictive possible policy toward Genetically Modified Organisms"

It's good to see Welsh Labour standing up to Blair and the multinationals. Unfortunately the "most restrictive possible policy" line is just an excuse to blame "Europe" for Assembly inaction later.

"... the most restrictive policy possible under EU law on GM crop development... taking the arguments of co-existence and protection of organic crops to the heart of European decision making..."

Shows understanding of the issues and gives realistic way forward. No real commitments, though. Lib Dems lose points for sell-outs in Government.

"We will tighten up Welsh legislation and use all necessary powers and influence to prevent the planting of GM crops in Wales."

Good sentiments, no commitments to real policy proposals. The party has taken some effective action on GM issues which gains it points.

Score

4/10

5/10

3/10

4/10

5/10

Zero waste Wales

"Limit the use of landfill sites"

No significant policy proposals or recognition of recycling as a potential job creator in Wales. The Assembly will be obliged to limit the use of landfill sites under EU law.

"Wales to become a zero waste country by 2020... greatly increased targets for recycling and composting... resist the building of incinerators"

Clear vision and commitment plus a well defined way of achieving goals.

"By [2007]... to have increased the amount of municipal waste which is recycled to 25%"

Same as WAG's Waste Strategy from June 2002. No mention of incinerators. Labour gains points for having a reasonable record on waste in the Assembly.

"Adopt a policy of 'zero waste', to achieve the maximum possible reduction of waste..."

Clear positive development of the Lib Dems' policy. Lack of a timescale for achieving zero waste is disappointing.

"... a Zero Waste Policy where by 2020-30 non - recyclable waste streams need to be eliminated... 61-64% recycled by 2020."
Response to Green Challenge

Plaid have included waste as a key area for job creation in their manifesto. Ambitious but achievable targets.

Score

2/10

9/10

5/10

7/10

8/10

Transport for all

"A modern economy needs a good road network"

The conservative manifesto prioritises the M4 Relief Road, A470 improvements and Cardiff Airport Road. Encourages damaging (unsustainable) traffic and aviation growth despite all the local to global downsides. Despite some warm words about public transport, this is essentially a transport policy which was looking dated twenty years ago.

"...effective halt of new road building... increased funding for trains and buses... halt of airport expansion."

The only party to be bold about transport policy. Emphasises road safety as opposed to the dubious economic effects of faster road links. The Greens could be more specific about use of powers and transfer of funding away from road building.

"Develop half price travel for 16-18 year olds... overdependence on vehicles run on fossil fuel is unsustainable... we will invest £175 million for trunk road improvements over the next three years."

Although the concessionary fares policy is welcome there is little other indication of the much needed shift in public funding from private to public transport. Roadbuilding continues apace and the recent alarming A497 upgrading decision rides roughshod over environmental concerns, policies and community appeals for fair play. A painful recipe for increasing congestion, car dependency and compromised bus and rail alternatives.

"Public Transport is our key transport priority, and our approach to roads is to improve what we have."

Worthy sentiments in the manifesto which would be a welcome departure from the Lib Dems' acquiescence in the WAG transport strategy so far. Some real and specific commitments on funding
a change in our transport habits would have made it more convincing.

"... strategic priority will be the completion of the 'figure of 8' road network... possibility of extending free bus travel to under-18s and those in full time education."
Manifesto

"The dualling of the A40 and the M4 relief road are not priorities for us, thus we will be opposing these."
Response to Green Challenge.

Too much emphasis on peripheral road links and unchecked
aviation growth. No reference on shifting funding from road building, not least to fund stated public transport proposals. Very disappointing. Opposition to M4 Relief Road and A40 dualling welcome.

Score

0/10

8/10

3/10

4/10

5/10

Renewable future

"...promote the use of renewable energy and materials"

A throwaway line in the Conservative manifesto deals with one of the most hotly debated environmental issues in Wales. Most Conservative AMs have opposed renewable energy schemes while in the Assembly and look set to continue doing so. Peter Rogers' support for wind energy schemes in north Wales in the last Assembly term was a notable exception.

"...capping energy production in Wales at current levels... no new nuclear generation... halting of large scale wind power schemes in mid and west Wales."

Lots of encouragement for renewable technologies but rather idiosyncratic about wind power. Some targets would have helped gauge how the Greens compare to the other parties on this controversial issue.

"Our aim is to eradicate fuel poverty in Wales... by 2010 we aim to ensure that 10% of energy consumed in Wales will be from renewable sources"

A welcome policy on fuel poverty. The 10% renewables target is odd. We assume that this relates to the Assembly "benchmark" for electricity production (rather than 'energy' which would include transport and other sectors. However, the Assembly Government has already announced support for 20% of Wales' electricity demand to be met by renewable sources by 2010.

"...produce six terawatt hours of Welsh energy by renewable means equivalent to 15 per cent of [generation in Wales] by 2010... assessment of a barrage across the River Severn and explore other ways of harnessing tidal power."

Very welcome endorsement of our Renewable Energy target by the Liberal Democrats. Worrying that they are so keen on a Severn Barrage and have been so willing to jump on anti-windfarm campaign bandwagons.

"In this key area for the future Wales has an enormous natural advantage and considerable expertise... 6 TwH by 2010 may be possible... block any new nuclear stations"

Clear positive line on renewable energy and opposition to new nuclear. Plaid Cymru has shown real commitment on this issue. It's a pity they have not felt able to endorse a higher target for renewables production.

Score

3/10

7/10

5/10

7/10

9/10

Planning justice

"... refer any planning decision in which a local authority has an interest to the National Assembly... review the planning permission system to examine whether the rights of objectors to planning applications are properly respected."

The only party to engage strategically in their manifesto with the issues of local planning which affect so many people. There are also some steps towards establishing a "third party" right of appeal in the planning system.

"Local communities should be the main decision makers in planning matters that affect them. Local people should be empowered via the use of the 'planning for real' approach..."

Some good ideas but few concrete proposals to give people more rights in the planning system.

No mention of planning as a policy area. Labour has resisted calls to give "third parties" (eg neighbours or community groups) a right of appeal against the granting of planning permission by local authorities in controversial cases. Welsh Labour has resisted the worst excesses of Blair's pro-big business planning agenda in the Assembly, so they could be much worse.

"[A third party right of appeal] is a complicated idea which looks very attractive at first
sight, however there is a risk that it could really slow down the planning
process."
Response to Green Challenge

No discussion of planning as a policy area in the manifesto. The Liberal Democrats have either ignored or opposed calls to give more rights to people affected by major developments and, until their response to our Green Challenge, have declined to engage with this issue in the Assembly.

"...the right to appeal should not be reserved for those applying for planning permission but should also be open to those opposing the development"
Response to Green Challenge

Very limited analysis, no firm new proposals, no third party right of appeal in manifesto. Welcome support for a third party right of appeal in response to Green Challenge, but would this be implemented given the apparent lack of enthusiasm?

Score

4/10

3/10

2/10

3/10

5/10

Conservatives

Green Party

Labour Party

Liberal Democrats

Plaid Cymru

Total

13/50

32/50

18/50

25/50

32/50