 PLAID Cymru president Dafydd Iwan is pitching his party on the left of the political spectrum in a bid to outflank Labour at the general election. At the party's spring conference in Caernarfon, Plaid portrayed itself as the "socialist antidote" to Labour. Mr Iwan said only his party could turn Wales into an "exciting, modern country". Delegates told the war in Iraq would also be central to the party's campaign, with the slogan "Blair lied, vote Plaid". In addition, Mr Iwan said the party was preparing to fight Labour over its poor record on health and housing, but made no mention of the disagreements within Plaid about the use of the private sector within the NHS. Westminster leader Elfyn Llwyd said on Friday the party had failed to agree on whether to drop its long-standing opposition to using private cash in the health service. Even though the prime minister has not yet made the official announcement over the general election, all the signs are for a date in May. On Saturday, the stage was set at the soon-to-be-opened Galeri arts centre, Victoria Dock. The 150 delegates and candidates were fired up ready for battle after hearing speeches in front of a slogan bearing the slogan "Adeiladwn Gymru Newydd - We can build a better Wales" projected on to a giant red dragon. Speaker after speaker lined up to take shots against New Labour's record under Tony Blair and first minister Rhodri Morgan, and their failure to tackle health waiting lists in particular. Party president, Gwynedd councillor, businessman and folk singer Dafydd Iwan said: "We cannot put up with seeing our people suffer any more under Labour's misgovernment of the health service." While praising nursing and hospital staff, he slammed Rhodri Morgan and his government for "forcing thousands of people to wait years for treatment and forcing poor people to pay for treatment they cannot afford". Mr Iwan recalled a time when the "part-time" secretary of state for Wales Peter Hain and himself were radical idealists engaged in direct action. Mr Iwan said: "I now lead a party which is spearheading the fight for justice and freedom in Wales. "He has become an apologist for a warmongering spin-doctor who stifles democracy at home while pretending to spread democracy in Iraq at the point of a gun." Meirionnydd Nant Conwy MP Elfyn Llwyd - who will also lead the party in the election campaign - said he was hopeful for good showings in Llanelli, Clwyd West, Carmarthen and Conwy. Mr Llwyd said he couldn't remember such good spirits in previous conferences, adding he looked forward to recapturing Ynys Môn. Mr Llwyd said: "Our task is to remind people of New Labour's lies, spin and deceit. We will not waiver in fighting for the truth. "New Labour has spread fear, war and death to the world. Wales will not forget their treachery. Our message is this: Blair lied, vote Plaid." Promising Wales will "dump Blair" after his broken pledges, Ceredigion MP Simon Thomas said: "I've got a new pledge for Tony Blair, and it's got a verb in it: Your government, kicked out." Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP Adam Price said Wales is "at a crossroads " as the general election approaches. He said: "We can still change this Wales and this world for the better." | 
