Pubdate: Sat, 23 Apr 2005
Source: BBC News (UK Web)
Copyright: 2005 BBC
Contact:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/558
Cited: Legalise Cannabis Alliance http://www.lca-uk.org

NO CAMPAIGN LET-UP AS POLL NEARS

Political parties in Wales began the penultimate weekend before the 
election by campaigning on a range of issues.

Labour launched a 10-point plan for rural communities, while the 
Conservatives held an "action day" campaigning in their key target seats.

Also on Saturday, Plaid Cymru launched a poster on NHS waiting lists, while 
the Lib Dems campaigned in Cardiff.

The Legalise Cannabis Alliance Wales launched its manifesto, calling for 
the legalisation of cannabis.

The party is fielding seven candidates across Wales.

Poster Campaign

Labour launched its 10-point plan for rural communities in Wales, pledging 
to tackle economic and social disadvantage in rural areas, extend free bus 
travel and develop affordable housing policies.

Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael said: "Improved travel services, more 
environmental protection and local solutions for local problems will form 
the cornerstone of our rural campaign."

Plaid Cymru launched a poster campaign calling for an end to waiting lists 
on the NHS in Wales.

The posters, titled "No more waiting for the NHS", were unveiled in 
Llanelli on Saturday morning.

The Welsh Conservatives held an "action day" in all their Welsh target 
seats, including Monmouth and Clwyd West.

The party targeted voters in its key seats with leafleting and door-to-door 
canvassing.

The Welsh Lib Dems spent Saturday campaigning locally in key Cardiff seats.

Renewable Energy

As well as its core aim of legalising cannabis, the Legalise Cannabis 
Alliance released a range of policies at its manifesto launch in Rhyl on 
Saturday afternoon.

Party candidates will campaign against GM crops and call for a lower rate 
of duty on diesel for haulage and transport firms.

There was a manifesto appeal for more efforts to be made to recycle waste 
products, and for the development of renewable energy to be made a priority.

The party called for cannabis and cannabis products to be removed from the 
Misuse of Drugs Act, claiming the move would generate tax revenues and 
enable the police and the legal system to use resources on combating 
serious crime.

Jeff Ditchfield, of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance, said: "We propose that 
cannabis should be removed from the Misuse of Drugs Act and legalised 
immediately.

"By re-legalising cannabis, we will generate revenue for the economy, we 
will generate revenue that can be raised in taxes and can then be used in 
public services."
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman