... comes from Nick Bourne, leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the national assembly. Speaking on the day AMs debate the future of the troubled project for a new assembly building, he says:

"Elected politicians have a direct responsibility to represent the wishes and feelings of their constituents. Taking into account that the vast majority of people in Wales are totally against politicians voting in favour of building themselves an expensive unneeded debating chamber, it is clear that all assembly members should vote to cancel this fiasco of a project.

"The money saved from the building project should be redirected to our health service that has become a poor mans equivalent to our neighbours.

"From day one this project has been hampered by disaster after disaster. The costs keeping on rising and the fallout between Edwina Hart and the Richard Rogers Partnership have all contributed to the reputation of the National Assembly and Wales being made a laughing stock.

"During the Welsh Conservative Minority Debate tomorrow, we will be calling on the other political parties in Wales to acknowledge the farce that this project has become and vote in favour of building out health services instead of fragile political egos.

"Rhodri Morgan, our so-called first minister, has been extremely careful to play both sides on this key issue facing Wales. On one hand he votes time and time again to spending tens of millions of pounds on this Assembly extension, but on the other hand, he has never voiced his real support of this project in the debating chamber.

"All the signs are that Rhodri Morgan will avoid being present at tomorrow's debate, which would demonstrate his pure lack of leadership for Wales. As the first minister, it is his duty to stand-up and be counted on this issue."