Labour and Conservatives launch Welsh manifestos as parties await new opinion poll

Carwyn Jones and Therersa May last met just before the election was called. It's unlikely that their paths will cross again today Credit: PA

With the General Election now less than three weeks away, the very different tactics of Labour and the Conservatives will be on display today as both parties launch their Welsh manifestos. Later, there will be a major indication of how those tactics are working when the latest ITV Wales Welsh political barometer poll is released.

The Prime Minister's dominance of all aspects of the Conservative election campaign will be underlined when she gives the keynote speech at the Conservative launch. Theresa May will stress that the choice is between her and Jeremy Corbyn,

In a sign of how completely she now sees the Conservatives as the party of Brexit, the Prime Minister will praise Welsh voters who chose "to ignore the hysterical warnings of Labour, Plaid Cymru and Liberal Democrat politicians in Cardiff Bay, and voted to leave the EU". There will be no reminder that both Theresa May and Welsh Secretary, Alun Cairns, were also remain supporters.

Unlike the Conservatives, Labour have given us a glimpse in advance of their manifesto, with First Minister Carwyn Jones on the cover.

Inside, it's expected to highlight plans to boost the Welsh economy.

  • Tidal lagoons, starting with Swansea

  • Rail electrification and the south and north Wales metros

  • Wylfa Newydd nuclear power station

  • A new development bank of Wales.

The last two polls have shown the Conservatives ahead in Wales, a position not seen at a Westminster election since most people were given the right to vote. Welsh Labour's attack on that lead has been based on emphasising the record of Carwyn Jones as First Minister rather than the potential of Jeremy Corbyn as Prime Minister. The latest poll should tell us something about whether that approach is working.