The leader of the Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party (ATWAP) says voters are telling the party “we need UK support, not more and more devolution”.

The party is hoping to make a breakthrough and win seats at a Senedd election for the first time.

It had two Members of the Senedd in the last term but they were elected as members of UKIP who later defected.

Richard Suchorzewski, leader of ATWAP, said: "This week speaking to businesses in north Wales I have heard how their prospects have been hit by the Welsh Assembly with low investment, poor transport infrastructure and less Covid financial support than England.

“In the valleys, where Abolish received the support of Nigel Copner, who almost won Blaenau Gwent for Plaid Cymru last time, people are telling us we need UK support, not more and more devolution.”

"We want to get back to normality, we want our futures to be back on track," says Geraint Williams.

He and his friend Celyn Angharad Jones have seen their mental health affected during the pandemic.

The Cardiff-based performing arts students had reduced face-to-face interaction with their peers and their lecturers.

Ahead of the Senedd election, we asked people what the priorities should be, and many wanted a focus on re-creating a sense of normality for young people.

"So, in years to come, we can look back and say 'oh yeah, that Covid was ages ago, we're back to normal now'," said Celyn, 21, from Llanddarog, Carmarthenshire.

Plaid Cymru leder Adam Price has been out on the campaign trail in the Cadoxton area of Neath this morning.

The seat is currently held by Labour, which is defending a majority of just under 3,000.

Plaid Cymru came second there at the last election in 2016.

Mr Price admitted that it was a traditionally Labour voting area, but he said a lot of Labour supporters felt disillusioned.

He said Plaid Cymru and Labour agreed on policies including the eradication of child poverty.

But he says Labour hasn’t been effective in delivering changes in those policy areas on which they agree.

Image source, Getty Images

Ahead of the Senedd elections, we asked people what they would change - and Ben Quigley wants better transport links.

After moving to Wales, he was looking forward to exploring Snowdonia, the Brecon Beacons and other beauty spots.

But Ben found he was better connected to much of the country when he was living in Birmingham than he is now in Cardiff.

He does not drive and found it strange he had to travel into England by train to move from south to north Wales.

"I had been to Snowdonia on school trips and really like the area, but it's very difficult to get to as I don't drive and it's some distance," he said.

Image source, Liberal Democrats

The economy and tourism are featuring on the Welsh Liberal Democrat's agenda as leader Jane Dodds campaigns in mid Wales.

She will be visiting Aberystwyth and Aberaeron, both places heavily reliant on tourists for income.

"The pandemic has hit our rural communities hard," she said

"For those heavily reliant on tourism and the hospitality sector, the last year has been tough.

"From poor digital and transport connectivity, housing costs, and the challenges of running small businesses, rural Wales faces a difficult period ahead.

“Welsh Liberal Democrats are fighting this election with pledges to invest in tackling broadband and mobile phone connectivity to help both businesses and those choosing to work remotely.”

Image source, Getty Images

Plaid Cymru's Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts MP has called the lack of social progress under Labour in Wales a "betrayal" of the party's values.

She said Labour’s 22 years at the helm in Wales typified "the mantra of good intentions but bad governance".

“They set admirable targets to eradicate child poverty and tackle the climate crisis, only to miss them due to their lack of ambition and economic competence.

“Aneurin Bevan warned that those who stand in the middle of the road are in danger of being run over.

"Labour would do well to heed these words rather than sit on the fence, or say one thing and do the opposite on key issues of social justice such as free school meals and the devolution of welfare."

Ms Saville Roberts said Plaid Cymru's fully costed plans would offer free school meals to all primary pupils, free childcare from 24 months, a weekly child payment for the families who needed it the most and a council tax cut for the poorest households.

She added: "Re-electing a Labour Government determined to keep Wales tied to an unjust and unequal union will never deliver the changes that will make our nation fairer for everyone who lives here."

The Conservatives are focusing on an economic message in their Senedd election campaign, saying there is a need to "kickstart" the Welsh industrial engine.

They claim Labour has blocked the possibility of establishing a freeport in Wales, one of the UK Conservative government's flagship policies in the post-Brexit era.

Freeports are usually located around shipping ports, or airports.

Goods that arrive into freeports from abroad aren't subject to the tax charges, called tariffs, that are normally paid to the government.

As first minister, Labour leader Mark Drakeford has expressed some worries that freeports in England could displace economic activity from Wales but said his concerns over introducing them in Wales were "resolvable" and the "ball" was in the UK government's court.

Tory Senedd group leader Andrew RT Davies said: "We will end Labour’s childish political games in Cardiff Bay, and work with Conservative colleagues to deliver a long-term economic recovery right across Wales.

“Our economic plan will enable us to build a better Wales after the pandemic and the bad decisions and missed opportunities of twenty years of Labour Governments.

“We will deliver more jobs, hope and security for everyone in Wales, starting with the reversal of Labour’s bizarre decision to block a freeport, simply because it was a UK government initiative.

“Welsh Conservatives will rebuild and rebalance our economy, so that we can level-up across the whole of Wales with new technology, new investment and 65,000 new jobs."

The message from the UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is focusing squarely on First Minister Mark Drakeford's record through the pandemic.

As he visits the key battleground seats of Delyn, Wrexham and Vale of Clwyd in north Wales, Sir Keir says Mr Drakeford should be given "the tools he needs to finish the job".

"Mark Drakeford has done a brilliant job as first minister in the toughest times. He has been cautious and considered in the pandemic, always following the science and keeping Wales safe," he said.

“Welsh Labour will deliver jobs, a new medical school and a new national forest to north Wales, building a fairer and more prosperous future.

“Backing Welsh Labour candidates on Thursday means backing an NHS recovery plan. It means a job, education or training guarantee for young people. And it means more community police on patrol. It is a vote to move Wales forward.

“Now is the time to give Mark Drakeford the tools he needs to finish the job. He has the plan to get Wales through the pandemic and the vision to build the fairer, greener and stronger economy of tomorrow.”

Mr Drakeford himself will be out in south Wales during the day.

He said: "It is under our Welsh Labour government that Wales has the fastest vaccination rate in the UK. It is because of Welsh Labour that prescriptions are free, new schools have been built, and Wales has become a world-leading greener, recycling nation.

“A vote for anyone other than Welsh Labour risks a Tory government that undoes all that work."

Image source, Geoff Caddick

How many seats are there in the Senedd? Hang on - what is the Senedd? Which parties are standing for election? Anyone...?

If you need some pointers on all things about the Welsh Parliament and Thursday's election, here's a handy guide to the basics.

From the different types of seats, to the fact that voters are being asked to take their own pen or pencil to vote because of Covid, we've got it covered.

Image source, Getty Images

Good morning. We are into the final two days of campaigning before elections for the Senedd take place on Thursday 6 May.

The main action today is taking place in north Wales.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer will go to Vale of Clwyd, Delyn and Wrexham, which were gains for the Tories from Labour in the 2019 general election and are key battlegrounds for the parties.

Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Andrew RT Davies and Plaid Cymru's Liz Saville Roberts are also in the north.

Further south, the Welsh Liberal Democrats - currently with just one seat in the Senedd - are visiting Ceredigion.

Meanwhile, incumbent Welsh Labour leader and first minister Mark Drakeford will visit Llanelli, Bridgend and Rhondda.

Bridgend is currently held by Labour in the Senedd but was won by the Tories at the last Westminster election, while Plaid Cymru is looking to take Llanelli.

It's the opposite story in Rhondda, where Plaid Cymru hold the Senedd seat. Labour is hoping to retake the constituency, which they already hold in Westminster.