Last night, ITV held a debate for the six Welsh party leaders.
As expected, Kirsty Williams put in a strong performance on education, taking on UKIP’s Nathan Gill on the folly of his education policies, emphasising Liberal Democrat successes such as the Welsh version of the Pupil Premium which was implemented because of Liberal Democrat influence and Kirsty’s More Nurses Bill. She was also keen to emphasise that the stark choice voters face on the list, with key seats being a choice between Kirsty’s Lib Dems and UKIP.
.@Kirsty_Williams: we're smallest party in assembly, made the biggest difference, only party to vote against pay rise. #itvwalesdebate
— BBC Wales Politics (@WalesPolitics) April 20, 2016
You can see for yourself by watching the whole thing here:
Here’s what commentators in the press and on Twitter had to say about Kirsty’s performance.
Wales Online highlighted how she took on the First Minister:
The Lib Dem leader took Mr Jones to task on education, turning towards him as if fighting an oratorical duel. She described battling for action on the NHS and gave an insight into the desperation a mother might feel when if she had to quit her tenancy but lacked the resources to put a bond down on the next rented property.
There is no doubting her passion and empathy but the key challenge is to project a distinct vision for her party in this crowded electoral marketplace.
Enjoyed being in audience for #itvwalesdebate Couldn't pick 1 stand out winner but impressed with Alice, Kirsty & Carwyn on key issues
— Natasha Davies (@daviesna2) April 20, 2016
Enjoyed the debate certainly think Kirsty's night #itvwalesdebate
— Shazia (@ShaziaAwan) April 20, 2016
Fantastic, passionate performance by Kirsty Williams on #itvwalesdebate – really showed how much she cares about issues that effect lives.
— Cen Phillips (@CenLD) April 20, 2016
.@Kirsty_Williams waits until end of #itvwalesdebate to bid for 2nd vote asking if people want Lib Dem or UKIP AMs? pic.twitter.com/eJjU13JUHO
— Ashok Ahir (@ashokahir) April 20, 2016
#itvwalesdebate Nice closing speech from Kirsty Williams. Naming what LibDems have done, saying that LibDem priorities are from the people.
— Elinor Dixon (@ElinorDFlute) April 20, 2016
Big applause for @Kirsty_Williams' call to stop bluster after the election to concentrate on a long term plan for our NHS #itvwalesdebate
— Robin Rea (@RobTR) April 20, 2016
Kirsty trying to rally all parties to commit on health rather than arguing about it. #itvwalesdebate
— Andrea Byrne (@AndreaByrneTV) April 20, 2016
I'm no libdem but @Kirsty_Williams speaking sense about future of NHS Wales – depoliticised space to tackle priorities #itvwalesdebate
— Aled Jones (@AledJonze) April 20, 2016
We want to get everyone round the table to solve challenges in our NHS. Plaid and Conservatives refused to take part #itvwalesdebate
— Welsh Lib Dems (@WelshLibDems) April 20, 2016
Emphasis from Kirsty Williams on the need for improved mental health care. Another round of applause #itvwalesdebate
— Elinor Dixon (@ElinorDFlute) April 20, 2016
Agree with @Kirsty_Williams and her rent to buy scheme. Needed, especially in rural areas. #ITVWalesDebate
— Greg Philip Thomas (@GeographyGreg) April 20, 2016
Update 2 from the #itvwalesdebate Kirsty Williams is a feisty boss.
— Sarah Rose (@BadgerGoRawr) April 20, 2016
Kirsty Williams is very impressive on the snippets of #itvwalesdebate I'm catching. Hope she keeps her seat – a shame to lose that talent!
— Leon Ward (@LeonjWard) April 20, 2016
@Kirsty_Williams on the attack. Nice to see a bit of passion. #itvwalesdebate
— Huw Owen (@HuwOwen12) April 20, 2016
.@Kirsty_Williams reminds @carwyn4bridgend of Huw Lewis' claim the government took their "eye off the ball" on education #itvwalesdebate
— BBC Wales Politics (@WalesPolitics) April 20, 2016
* Newshound: bringing you the best Lib Dem commentary in print, on air or online.



2 Comments
Kirsty is coming across as much the best of the party leaders. unfortunately i can’t do much to help her in B&R, but hope anyone who can will do so. The Welsh Assembly election is nothing like as predictable as the Scots parliament one is likely to be, and the outcome could be very strange indeed, hence more need than ever for the LDs to be there.
Only caught up with the ITV debate last night. Kirsty did very well, particularly after the first 10 minutes or so when she became a bit more assertive. I do feel she can say much more about looking after the interests of Welsh voters in the UK Union context and/or the EU Referendum. We should not leave it to Plaid Cymru to attack the poor Cons and Labour track records regarding the Barnet Formula and EU Structural Funding of Welsh Assembly activities. For example look at doing a Welsh Lib Dem version of this BBC website http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36054645 about Cornwall.