Rhodri moves target after broken schools promise

4.12.29pm GMT Tue 28th Nov 2006

Welsh Liberal Democrats have today highlighted Rhodri Morgan's shifting target on school buildings, which has changed a 2010 deadline in to "as soon as possible".

At First Minister's Questions today, Mike German took Mr Morgan to task for blaming others for Labour's failure to deliver their election promise to improve school buildings.

Mr German said: "A target you have missed by a country mile is the one to upgrade school buildings. Your manifesto in 2003 said that by 2010 you would ensure 'that every school in Wales is fit for our children'.

"Labour's recent policy conference said: 'We will to strive to meet our original target that all schools should become fit for purpose by 2010, although we are aware that many LEAs will not be able to deliver on this. In our third term, therefore, we will commit ourselves to achieve this as soon as possible.'

"You promised something, then when you couldn't deliver it you decided to blame someone else and repeat the promise. Do you accept that you haven't just moved the goalposts on this one, you've moved the whole pitch?"