Labour makes pledge to create new medical school in North Wales as part of manifesto launch

Labour has placed the creation of a new medical school in North Wales as one of its main priorities if it wins the upcoming Senedd elections.

The party has today launched its manifesto and pledged to train 12,000 medical staff over the next five years.

Leader Mark Drakeford promised Labour would lead Wales’ recovery from the coronavirus pandemic if it retains its hold on the Welsh Government, including by investing in the NHS.

He also promised care workers would receive a pay rise and up to 1,800 additional tutoring staff in schools will be funded if his party wins a majority at next month’s polls.

North.Wales has gone through the Labour manifesto to pick out some of the party’s main pledges specifically for people in the region.

They include:

• Establish a new medical school in North Wales to raise the numbers in medical training.
• Progress plans for a metro in North Wales.
• Press the UK Government to electrify the North Wales mainline.
• Create a national forest to extend from the north of Wales to the south, improving 20 existing woodlands to achieve national forest designation.
• Invest in theatres and museums, including committing to Theatr Clwyd, establishing the Football Museum and the National Contemporary Art Gallery.
• Support the application to identify the slate landscape of north west Wales as a World Heritage Site.
• Work with local organisations to promote this cultural and economic opportunity and we will develop plans for a Museum of North Wales.

In his introduction to the manifesto, Mr Drakeford said: “As we work together to move forward beyond the pandemic, Welsh Labour is fired with the ambition to create the different, sustainable, exciting Wales of the future, built on the values that make us the nation we are.

“Welsh Labour has the experience and the vision to lead Wales’ recovery from the pandemic and we pledge to the people of Wales we will invest in our NHS to put it back on track.

“When I look back over the difficult and testing months since March of last year, as well as the enduring sadness for lives and livelihoods lost and damaged, it is the thousands and thousands of small acts of kindness which I think will remain long in the memory.

“That is the experience, of looking out for and looking after each other, that we want to build on and take forward into the future.

“In this manifesto, we set out exactly how we will create the kind of Wales that we all want. I urge you to read it and join us in moving Wales forward.”