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Peredur Owen Griffiths, who represents Plaid Cymru, is one of four regional Senedd Members serving the South Wales East region.

The launch of the Plaid Cymru manifesto at the Temple of Peace in Cardiff earlier this month was a proud moment.

Proud because it heralded a much-needed breath of fresh air into the political discourse in Wales and beyond.

Its 35 pages were packed with a host of left-leaning, progressive and positive policies that seek to address the fundamental weaknesses in our economy, our transport network, our creaking health system and our many left-behind communities.

While the main Westminster parties split hairs over minor differences, our manifesto provided a stark contrast to their regressive approach to politics.

Among the highlights were a pledge to fight for the £4bn owed to Wales from HS2 to invest in improving our own public transport in all parts of the country and reversing cuts to local bus services.

The manifesto also featured a demand for a fair funding system for Wales, based around our needs, giving us the public services we deserve.

Redressing economic unfairness is also a key policy which would be secured by increasing windfall taxes and devolving the Crown Estate to create green jobs and build prosperity.

Judging by the reaction of people on the doorstep across Caerphilly County Borough and in other parts of my region, the manifesto is cutting through and having an impact.

From an international perspective the manifesto not only contained a condemnation of the attack by Hamas but also a recognition of the state of Palestine.

It added: “Plaid Cymru further believes that Israeli Government Ministers responsible for war crimes, including genocide, should be held accountable by international courts for their actions.

“We will demand that the UK Government enforces all decisions made by the International Criminal Court, including acting on all arresting warrants it issues.

“We further call on the UK Government to expel the Israeli ambassador until such time as the Israeli Government ends its apartheid and illegal actions.

“We will also demand a ban on all arms sales to the state of Israel.”

You can see by the numbers on the many peace marches that have taken place since October 7, that these asks are mainstream in society. They are not controversial points as far as we are concerned.

Despite this, the Labour Party leadership is at pains to distance itself from any criticism of an Israel Government that shows scant regard for the rule of international law and for the safety and wellbeing of ordinary, innocent Palestinians daily.

Many people across our communities will be wondering when will the real Labour Party please stand up; not just against tyranny but also to stand up for workers’ rights, for fairness and for Wales.

Many voters are possibly holding onto the hope that Starmer will suddenly find his moral compass after election night and push through a radical raft of policies that will help the communities and people that have been left to wither under successive Westminster governments.

I fear these people will be thoroughly disappointed. After promising to continue the left-wing programme laid out by his predecessor as leader of the Labour Party, Starmer has shown his true colours by aping Tory policy, praising Thatcher and turning a blind eye to the barbarism carried out by Israel in Gaza. He has made the Labour Party a hostile environment for left-wing members, whilst welcoming defectors from the right of the Tory Party.

He has also steadfastly refused to acknowledge the harm that Brexit has done to the UK.

In wooing the tabloid editors, Starmer is promising nothing more than Tory continuity after July 4.

As depressing as this is for socialists, progressives and internationalists, here in Wales we have an alternative in Plaid Cymru. We are standing on a progressive platform that will tackle the deep-rooted poverty and inequality in our society and we are not afraid to stand up for what is right.

For those in the Labour Party who want change and don’t want to endorse a Tory takeover of the party they have supported hitherto for a lifetime, please use your vote wisely.