Rhodri watches silent as European aid slips out of Wales' grasp

12.00.00am GMT Tue 6th Dec 2005

Rhodri Morgan today conceded that Wales' hopes of further European aid had slumped to no better than a 50:50 chance.

Under questioning by Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly leader Mike German, Mr Morgan admitted that, "There's 50:50 chance, maybe slightly less."

Mr German said: "For months and months, I have been urging Rhodri Morgan to speak up for Wales' interests. At the start of this process, all the signs were that Wales would get a second multi-million pound boost from European structural funds - yet now our odds are worse than the toss of a coin.

"Rhodri Morgan has sat on his hands for months, watching Wales' greatest opportunity for future prosperity - especially in West Wales and the Valleys -slip out of his grasp.

"No wonder that while the Prime Minister has been wooing the leaders of Eastern Europe, he has failed to show the same courtesy to England's western neighbour. Rhodri's silent 'wait-and-see' philosophy means that Wales' interests will not feature in the EU budget negotiation next week."