Welsh Green Party leader Jake Griffiths opened up the Green Party Spring Conference in Cardiff today by outlining his manifesto for the Welsh Assembly. He promised to fight the ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ jobs that the Labour/Plaid Welsh Assembly government are tying to attract to Wales through flirtation with big corporations and pledged instead to fight for long term jobs, turning Wales into the powerhouse of the new economy.

Highlighting the difference between the short term jobs in open cast mining and the long term jobs in renewable energy; and the need to invest in public services to build long term stable economies, Mr Griffiths promised to fight for jobs in Wales.

Pledging his support for workers whose jobs are under threat from a Labour council in the Valleys – Rhondda Cynon Taf – Jake explained: “I cut my teeth fighting Thatcher, fighting the poll tax…The time has come to fight for Wales”.

Jake Griffiths is standing in the Welsh Assembly South Central Region – which includes Cardiff. Under the proportional voting system he needs to boost the party’s vote by 1% – a mark he looks set to surpass if recent polls are to be believed. this would make him Wales’ first Green Party Assembly member.