Scrapping WDA brand is like Cadbury's calling itself chocolate

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 17th Oct 2005

Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Leader Mike German has vowed to keep up the pressure to prevent the loss of the WDA brand name.

Speaking ahead of a statement by the First Minister updating AMs on the ASPB merger, Mr German said Labour dogma was getting in the way of sensible decision making.

Mr German said: "Getting rid of the WDA brand in favour of Wales is like the BBC deciding to rename itself television. Or Cadbury's calling itself chocolate. It is a nonsense.

"While I agree with the First Minister this is none of Peter Hain's business, it's a shame that he has stood up to the Secretary of State on the one issue where Hain is right.

"The Welsh Development Agency is a strong brand, which explains in three simple words where we are from and what we do. Saying 'I am from Wales' does not achieve the same goal.

"The Labour Assembly Government is putting dogma ahead of pragmatic considerations. The WDA and WTB are strong brands, which have a high level of recognition around the world. It would be folly to annihilate them for the vanity of ministers."