INSIDE

Conference preview Plaid’s new President Shouting for Wales Greening the Valleys Tax-raising powers backed SNP book review Councillors seek more powers

www.plaidcymru.org

February 2011

CONTENTS Wedding Bells History Society Launch Spring Conference Awards for Plaid MP and AM ‘True Wales’ hits turnout

Plaid Leader Ieuan Wyn Jones helped launch the official Yes cam-paign for the March referendum by highlighting how a positive vote would give more power to the people of Wales. Mr Jones was joined by other politi-cal leaders and campaign supporters at the launch and said there was a simple message at the core of the campaign - the current system was

failing Wales and the people of Wales would benefit if it was changed. A successful referendum result would make Wales an even better place to live, work, and bring up families, he said. “This referendum is about giving power to the people,” he said. “The Yes campaign is going to be deliv-ered on the front line by a broad range of people from all walks of life and its success will have a hugely positive effect on the people of Wales. “People in Wales are no less capa-ble of making their own decisions than those in Scotland or Northern Ireland and yet our system is primi-tive in comparison. “People in Wales deserve to have the right to decide how they want the country run. “It is time the expensive and long-winded system for making laws for

Wales is ended. Instead, the people in Wales - not remote committees in Westminster - should be in control. “The system in place here doesn't exist anywhere else in the world - and for good reason. “I needed three pieces of legislation to make school transport safer and it took four years. It isn't right that children's safety has been jeopard-ised needlessly because of the way our legislation works. “We need to move to a normal sys-tem of government. It should be swifter, simpler and much more cost-effective, with the focus on people and not politics. “Speeding up and simplifying the legal process is a much-needed change and one the people of Wales should not be denied any longer. “A Yes vote would be a clear sign that we are ready to take greater responsibility in shaping Wales for future generations. “March 3 is our chance to say Yes for Wales and give ourselves and our children the best possible fu-ture.” Speaking to Welsh Nation following the launch, Mr Jones said the refer-endum would be the first of two ex-tremely important events for Plaid Cymru in the first half of 2011. “It is an exciting time for us all in Plaid Cymru,” he said, “but we can-not underestimate the size of the challenge ahead. "As a party, we've recognised the importance of winning the referen-dum and rectifying the problems that have beset our system of gov-ernment. “It is up to us to do all we can to deliver a Yes vote. It will mean hard work for us all, knocking doors and speaking to as many people as we can to raise awareness of the issues and gain support for our de-termination to put things right. "And as soon as the referendum is

completed, our focus will fix firmly on May's Welsh General Election. “There will be no let-up but, as ever, we must go about these challenges with the same determination as ever to change our nation for the better."

YES VOTE WILL GIVE MORE POWER TO THE PEOPLE OF WALES

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I would like to wish all members a happy and peaceful new year.

There can be no doubt that 2011 is a massive year for our party and our country. It will set our future course as a nation.

Plaid Cymru entered the New Year in campaign mode, ready for the referendum in March and the Welsh General Election in May.

Our amazing team of candidates has been working for months and we have new and exciting poli-cies to improve the lives of peo-ple in Wales.

We will pull out all the stops to win the power to put these poli-cies into practice.

But every year is a big year for Plaid and the causes we believe in, of course.

2011 is our 86th year of existence as a party and one we begin as a party in government after a dozen years of devolution. What an achievement!

It’s been 45 years since Gwynfor Evans won Plaid's first Westmin-ster seat.

On a personal note, I am now in my second decade of being Plaid’s first Member of the European Par-liament.

We have seen radical change as a party and we have helped bring about radical change in Wales.

Our unity and our determination have come from our commitment to freedom, equality, peace and justice.

I am sure all of you can think of personal anniversaries within the party: when you joined, when you joined up your first new member, when we won that particular by-election, your first protest march...and many, many more.

I was delighted to support the for-mation of the Plaid Cymru History Society which can help us pre-serve these treasured memories which are also such an important part of Wales' history.

So as we enter this momentous year, we should remind ourselves that the key to our success has been the work of every one of our members over these many years.

Every door knocked, every letter written, every penny donated, every leaflet delivered has been vital.

That is why I am asking every one of you to do everything you can to help us win in 2011.

We have come a long way as a party.

This year is another step forward in the journey to create a nation that is confident prosperous, just and humane. Bon voyage!

THIS YEAR WILL BE MASSIVE FOR PLAID – AND FOR WALES

Where to start in this edition of the Welsh Nation? There’s so much to do and yet so little time! The New Year started on a positive note with a series of events throughout Wales indicating the start of the Yes for Wales campaign with people from villages, towns and cities right across Wales coming together to work for the well-being of the nation. Many street stalls, public meetings and online campaigns have already been launched to remind our fellow citizens of those arguments which are completely obvious to us:

• Laws that are specific to Wales

should be made in Wales;

• A new system for decision-

making that’s less wasteful of resources, time and money will allow Assembly members to concentrate on the things that matter; A Yes vote will strengthen our nation’s voice. If you are keen to organise an event, hand out leaflets, contribute financially or help the campaign in any other way, e-mail contact@yesforwales.com. And if that’s not enough, there will be no time for complacency after the referendum on March 3 as there will only be two months left until the Welsh General Election on May 5! Our brilliant team of candidates are working tirelessly already. They are out canvassing, delivering leaflets and meeting people to share Plaid’s ideas whatever the weather. If you’d like to help your candidate locally, let us know by emailing post@plaidcymru.com or by phoning 029 20472272. In terms of policy, Nerys Evans, AM, Plaid’s Director of Policy will be presenting the manifesto at the

National Council meeting on March 12 in Aberystwyth. This follows a vast consultation process with Plaid Cymru members, charities, companies, campaign groups, the unions and the public. It will more than likely include some of the ideas you may have already read about in the press: setting up a new not-for-profit company to run Wales’ train services, ensuring Wales benefits financially from the use of our national resources and tackling the fact that many of our young people are lacking the necessary skills for the workplace. Plaid Cymru members will have the opportunity to hear more about our plans in the Spring Conference which is being held on Friday and Saturday, March 25 and 26 in Cardiff. Every member will be able to attend this exciting occasion free of charge. I hope many of you venture to the capital city for our conference – the last before our General Election.

CALLING ALL MEMBERS TO CAMPAIGN FOR YES VOTE AND FOR PLAID IN THE ELECTIONS writes Chief Executive Gwenllian Lansdown

‘TRUE WALES’ ACTIONS WILL MEAN LOWER TURNOUT

The shenanigans of a group call-ing itself ‘True Wales’ will almost certainly lead to a low turnout at the March referendum, Plaid’s Deputy Leader Helen Mary Jones, AM, has warned. ‘True Wales’ has refused to apply for official No campaign status, which, for reasons of fairness, will hamper the Yes campaign’s efforts in getting its message over. At the time of going to press, it seemed unlikely that there can be any political broadcasts or mail-outs for either side. Ms Jones said this could mean a low turnout and the blame of this would lie firmly at the door of ‘True Wales’, as they were, in effect, denying people informa-tion on both sides of the argu-ment. No-one, she said, should ques-tion the legitimacy of the vote on a low turnout because only one side of the debate, the Yes cam-paign, was trying to make every-one in Wales aware of the issues involved. Ms Jones said: "The Yes for Wales campaign has been work-ing hard to make it clear to peo-ple what this referendum is about, to increase awareness and to ensure that as many peo-ple as possible take part in the debate. “A high turnout was always going to be difficult because, while this is a vitally important referendum, it is effectively a tidying up exer-cise. It can be hard to motivate people to go out and vote in ref-erendums at the best of times and that problem will be exagger-ated by the fact that there will be no official No campaign, reducing people’s access to information. “I have been campaigning to get as many people out to vote as possible and will be continuing to do that right up to the day of the referendum. “The Yes for Wales campaign has engaged on every level, leading social networking cam-paigns on Facebook and Twitter, holding campaign launches across the whole of Wales which have been attended by support-ers of all political parties and those who support no party, and there are people out spreading the message every day with leaf-lets and door-to-door canvassing. “I hope for as large a turnout as possible but, sadly, thanks to the actions of the No campaign there is a possibility it will be less than desired."

writes Plaid President Jill Evans

Plaid Cymru’s Jonathan Edwards, MP, has said the debate over stu-dent tuition fees shows the impor-tance of a Yes vote in the March referendum. He said the decision of the Welsh Government on the future of tui-tion fees showed the value of devolution and the benefits of be-ing able to have Welsh solutions for the benefit of Wales – rather than just copying Westminster. “What this shows is that we can do things differently in Wales”, he

said. “We do not have to be dic-tated to be Westminster – and by a Government that has shown such distain for the many students whose votes put them there in the first place. “Ninety per cent of MPs have benefited from a university educa-tion and the overwhelming major-ity will also have had a free edu-cation. “Having benefited from that, MPs should not be pulling up the draw-bridge behind them and leaving

other students to have to pay for their own education. “Labour MPs, who are now so keenly complaining about an in-crease in tuition fees, were the first to break the compact with our young people and undermine the concept of free higher education for all. “In the One Wales Government, Plaid Cymru is committed to doing whatever possible to mitigate the effects on students living in Wales.”

Mr Edwards continued: “Access to higher education should be on the basis of the individual’s potential to benefit and not on the basis of what they can afford to pay. “This really shows why it is so im-portant that the Welsh Assembly exists and has the powers it has. “It is also why I believe that Wales will vote next March to confirm further powers for the Assembly.”

TUITION FEES DEBATE SHOWS WHY WALES NEEDS A YES VOTE

WEDDING BELLS

Hywel Williams and Myfanwy Davies, pictured at their wedding at Greenfield Baptist Church, Llanelli. Mr Williams is the MP for Arfon and Dr Davies an Assembly candi-date for Mid and West Wales.

Darren Price and his wife, Jeni, who were married at Penuel Chapel, Nelson. Coun Price is a Swansea councillor and the Assembly candidate for Gower.

Plaid Cymru has selected Iwan Huws to fight the Aberconwy seat in next May's Welsh General Election. Mr Huws, former Chief Executive of Snowdonia National Park and Wales

Director of the National Trust, hopes to succeed Plaid's current AM for Aberconwy, Gareth Jones, who will be retiring at the election. “I’m delighted to have been selected

by Plaid Cymru to defend the seat of Aberconwy and I’m looking forward to hitting the campaign trail across the constituency in the months before the election,” he said. “Gareth Jones has been a tremen-dous Assembly Member for the area. He will be a very hard act to follow, but I will strive to serve the people of Aberconwy to his very high standards if elected. “Having worked in communities across the constituency for many years, I believe that I truly understand the priorities and needs of the local communities I seek to represent. “My focus will be to ensure that our local health services are maintained

and improved and that more high-quality jobs are created across our communities.” Plaid Leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said: “The challenging times ahead need an experienced and ambitious Plaid team to move Wales forward. “With Gareth Jones retiring in May, the people of Aberconwy need a strong and effective AM to continue his exceptional work and represent their interests in the Senedd. “Iwan brings a wealth of experience, skill and drive to Plaid’s campaign and I know that, if elected, he will be a first-class Assembly Member for the people of Aberconwy.”

IWAN HUWS OUT TO RETAIN ABERCONWY FOR PLAID

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Quaker, pacifist, friend of Waldo Williams and Plaid’s oldest member, Steffan Griffith has died at the age of 102. Mr. Griffith, who was born in Blaenau Ffestiniog, lived in Neyland, Pembrokeshire. He studied Physics at Bangor University and later taught the subject at schools in Herefordshire and Buckinghamshire before returning to Wales to teach in Sir Benfro. He joined Plaid Cymru on his return. A fluent Welsh speaker, he said that as a proud Welshman returning to Wales he had been inspired to join Plaid Cymru by his friendship with Waldo Williams, who later stood as the first Plaid candidate at a Westminster election. When Mr Griffith celebrated his 100th birthday, Chris Gillham, the constituency chairman, with Simon Moffett, the constituency secretary and former National Assembly candidate Conrad Bryant visited Mr and Mrs Griffith at their home to present him with specially-produced birthday cards. The main birthday card,

incorporating the Plaid logo with the number one to spell out 100, was signed by hundreds of members, including the then President Dafydd Iwan and Honorary President Dafydd Wigley. Other cards came from Jill Evans, MEP, the party’s three Westminster MPs, the five Pembrokeshire county councillors, and the whole of the National Executive Committee. Mr Gillham said Mr. Griffith was the oldest member of the

party and one of its longest-serving members, not just in Pembrokeshire but in the whole of Wales. Mr. Griffith had been asked if he wished to receive a telegram from the Queen on his 100th birthday but declined as he was a long-standing republican who did not believe in the hereditary system of choosing the head of state. As well as his political interests, Mr Griffith was the author of seven books and a fervent supporter of the

National Eisteddfod. His other interests included keeping bees, sailing his boat on the River Daugleddau, looking after his pond with its frogs andtoads, water lilies and solar fountain, reading, watching travel programmes on television and his computer. A keen environmentalist, he had solar panels on the roof of his bungalow in Neyland. Mr. Griffith leaves a widow, Clemency, and three daughters.

Steffan Griffith celebrating his 100th birthday with his wife Clemency, Conrad Bryant and the Rev Chris Gillham.

GIANTS OF WELSH NATIONALISM STEFFAN GRIFFITH – PLAID’S OLDEST MEMBER

One of Plaid’s greatest campaigning councillors, Glyn James, has died at the age of 88. Mr James was the party’s first councillor in Rhondda, where he later served as Mayor. His campaigns included chaining himself to Llwynypia Hospital in a protest to keep services. He climbed onto the roof of the council offices to call for more services for the Rhondda Fach and he broadcast on the pirate radio station Radio Free Wales. Mr James and fellow county councillor Glyn Owen

protested in the public gallery of the House of Commons during the miners’ strike, throwing leaflets onto the floor of the House calling for justice for the miners. He stood in the Rhondda several times in general elections and will be remembered for the smoke-breathing dragon on the back of a lorry that was typical of the way he got his message across. Born in Llangranog, Glyn, who was a mining engineer, came to the Rhondda to work in Tylorstown and then Lady Windsor Colliery.

He first stood in Ystrad Rhondda in a by-election in 1959, losing by only four votes. He overcame the disappointment by winning the first seat for Plaid Cymru in the Rhondda the following year. He was re-elected many times. Mr James leaves a widow, Hawys, and two children. Plaid President Jill Evans said: “Glyn was a close friend and colleague. “He was a major figure in the Rhondda and in Plaid Cymru and a real inspiration to me. “He loved the Rhondda and Wales with a passion and his enthusiasm was reflected in his

colourful and exciting campaigns. “He never stopped campaigning and was the eternal optimist who never doubted that Wales would win its freedom. “It is this, most of all, that I will remember about Glyn, and that will continue to inspire so many of us in Plaid Cymru for many years to come. “He was a great man and I will miss him very much. “On behalf of Plaid Cymru I offer our deep sympathy to Hawys and the family.”

GLYN JAMES – INSPIRATIONAL CAMPAIGNER

Steffan Griffith celebrating his 100th birthday with his wife Clemency, Conrad Bryant and the Rev Chris Gillham.

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Rhobert ap Steffan, fondly known as Castro, has died at his home in Llan-dagog after a short illness. Aged 62, he was brought up in Tre-orci and was one of Wales’ greatest nationalists of recent years. He leaves a widow, Marilyn, and three children. Castro was a historian, photographer, regular writer to the Press on patriotic issues and a political activist for a great many years. A long-standing member and sup-porter of Plaid Cymru, he was active in many Welsh movements, including the anti-Investiture campaign of 1969 and Cofiwn, and regularly attended the annual Cilmeri commemoration. He was a supporter of the Free Wales Army, and his nickname, Cas-tro, came from a cap he wore with his FWA uniform. His achievements for Welsh causes were many and varied. He had close links with Patagonia where he learned Welsh in 1970, working in a sawmill near Trelew and on a big ranch at the foot of the An-des in Cwm Hyfryd. Years later he was back in South America to raise money for Mencap Cymru with a charity walk across the Andes, more than doubling the target of £3,500 he was aiming to raise for the cause. After spending a week in the Andes, he flew to the Welsh-speaking area of

Patagonia, spending time at the Eisteddfod there and giving a series of lectures. He also presented a copy of a new Welsh language encyclopaedia, signed by the then First Minster Rhodri Morgan and Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones, to the Welsh Library in Gaiman. Back home in Wales, one of his greatest achievements was spear-heading a campaign for a memorial to Llewelyn ap Gruffydd Fychan at the site of Llanymddyfri Castle. Lle-welyn, a supporter of Owain Glyndŵr, was executed in the town by the English in 1401. To raise interest in the project, Cas-tro visited schools, councils and local organisations, convincing peo-ple of the merit of erecting a statue of a man few had ever heard of. His inspiration, hard work and or-ganisational ability secured funding of £60,000 from a number of public agencies, and the design of the gi-gantic stainless steel monument by brothers Toby and Gideon Petersen was chosen by popular acclaim. The Daily Telegraph at the time car-ried a headline referring to Llewelyn as the Welsh Braveheart - a descrip-tion that could well have applied to Castro himself. He was a founder of the annual St David's Day Parade in Cardiff. He refused to fill in the 2001 census in

protest at the lack of a Welsh tick-box option and was one of the leading campaigners who fought successfully for the tick-box to be included in this year’s census. Castro was described by friends as a “high-spirited, warm-hearted likeable personality with a brilliant sense of humour, who thoroughly enjoyed so-cialising with his many friends.” He was in his latter years an assis-tant editor of Cambria magazine. The magazine’s founder, Henry Jones-Davies, said: “Rhobert ap Stef-

fan touched the lives of so many peo-ple in Wales and on many different levels. When I visited him a few days before he died, he told me it was his last wish to see a resounding Yes vote in the March referendum. “He was denied that, but it gives me renewed strength to fight hard for it on his behalf. He had so much more to give, and we shall miss him terri-bly.”

GIANTS OF WELSH NATIONALISM

CASTRO – A GREAT NATIONALIST

Castro pictured at a commemorative stone for his political hero Gwyn-for Evans, whom he described as “the man who had the greatest influ-ence on my life as a Welshman and, in my opinion, on contemporary Welsh politics and the future of our language.”

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Plaid Cymru’s first elected peer, Honorary President Dafydd Wigley, promised to be a champion for disability rights as he entered the House of Lords for

the first time. Mr Wigley is a long-standing campaigner in the field and was Vice-Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Disability Group for ten years when he was an MP. He was sponsored by fellow Plaid Peer Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas and cross-bench Peer Lord Faulkner of Worcester as he took up his new title as “Baron Wigley of Caernarfon in the County of Gwynedd". Mr Wigley said: “One of the most important things for me in the Second Chamber will be to continue my work in raising awareness of issues affecting disabled people and how we can improve the lives of this significant percentage of the Welsh population. “I've got no interest in the pomp and ceremony of the Lords, but I do want to work hard for Wales

here. “I'll keep a watchful eye on the progress of Welsh legislative bids and also speak up on issues relating to the Welsh economy and the National Assembly's financial settlement. “As the first ever peer to be elected by a party's own membership, I hope that a fully elected second chamber will become a reality and I will continue to campaign for a reform of this place. “I am excited to be taking this new role at such an important time for Wales and, of course, I'm looking forward to working with Plaid's three excellent MPs in the Commons – a team which already punches well above its weight.”

Plaid’s Westminster leader Elfyn Llwyd said: “Dafydd has so much to contribute to politics and I know

his appointment has been welcomed by many across the political spectrum both in the Second Chamber and throughout Wales. I’m looking forward to his joining our Westminster team and to being assisted by his huge experience and expertise.”

*Dafydd Wigley was one of three Plaid Cymru members elected by the party for nomination to the second chamber in January 2008. The other two were the party’s economic adviser, Eurfyl ap Gwilym, and former AM Janet Davies. Plaid will continue to press the case for their appointment also and will continue to campaign for a fully elected Second Chamber.

A Plaid Cymru History Society has been set up with plans for a website, regular meetings and a day school. The Society will be a forum for members and supporters to rem-ember, celebrate, promote and research the party’s activities, el-ections, campaigns and people. Membership is open to everyone who has an interest in Plaid’s hist-ory. The Chairman will be Dafydd Will-iams, former Plaid General Sec-retary and author of The Story of Plaid Cymru, General Secretary Alan Jobbins and Treasurer Yvon-ne Balakrishnan, a community councillor from Torfaen.

The proposed website will be open to members to submit their reminiscences of Plaid’s national and local history. It will be coordinated by Penri Williams, who is an experienc-ed web designer and builder. One of the first contributions to be recived by the History Soc-iety, following an appeal by Mr Jobbins, came from Emrys Roberts, General Secretary 1960-64 and Vice-President to Gwynfor Evans 1978 - 80. Mr Roberts stood as a parliamen-tary candidate in Cardiff, New-port and Ebbw Vale and in Merthyr Tydfil at the 1972 by-election, following the death of S.O. Davies. He was Leader of the Plaid Group on Merthyr Tydfil Council from 1974 to

1979. An Events page on the internet will celebrate prominent Plaid camapigners. Included will be the unveiling of a bust of Gwynfor Ev-ans in Barry Library and the ap-peal led by Coun Sian Thomas for funds to restore the grave of D.J. Williams to a state befitting one of Plaid’s pioneers. Much of the party’s local history can be found in branch minutes, leaflets and correspondence, etc. Plaid’s history in Ynys Môn and Cwm Cynon is already being res-

earched by two of the Society’s members. It is hoped other members will take up the challenge to write the history of their branch or constit-uency. Remembrance will be a section on the website where friends and relatives can send photographs and tributes. The first four to be remembered will be Terry O’Neill, Glyn James, Geoff Jones and Dr.Ceinwen Thomas. Anyone interested in joining the History Society or wanting further

information should contact Alan Jobbins at 47 Wingfield Rd. Caer-dydd CF14 1NJ or at asjob-bins@btinternet.com

A meeting of the History Soc-iety willl be held durign the spring conference in Cardiff on Friday, March 25 at 4.30pm. The guest speaker will be Dr D. Hy-wel Davies, author of The Welsh Nationalist Party 1925-1945 - A Call to Nationhood.

PUTTING PLAID HISTORY ON THE MAP

Members of the Plaid Cymru History Society at their inaugural meeting, left to right, Yvonne Balakrishnan, Jim Foster, Syd Morgan, Colin Gregory, Sian Thomas, Gwynfor Davies, Jon-athan Edwards, Alan Jobbins, Dafydd Williams, Huw Roberts, Dai Thomas and Les Davies.

DAFYDD WIGLEY TO FIGHT FOR DISABILITY RIGHTS

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Dr Gwenllian Lansdown has announced that she will be stepping down as Plaid’s Chief Executive after the Assembly elections in May. She is also resigning as a Cardiff City councillor, having represented the Riverside Ward for six years. Dr Lansdown recently became

engaged to Arwyn Davies, a farmer and well-known poet and singer, who lives near Llanerfyl, Maldwyn. They are planning to get married in mid-June. Dr Landown said: “It has been my intention all along to step down after the May elections, largely because I feel my successor would need four years to prepare for the 2015 Welsh General

Election. Obviously, the fact that I shall be living in Maldwyn will make the decision easier for me! “We face two enormous challenges as a party over the next three months, and it will be a privilege and an honour to play a prominent part in the Yes for Wales referendum campaign and in our election campaign. “I have enjoyed being able to lead a dedicated staff team and serving a Leader, elected members, candidates and a National Executive Committee who work tirelessly for Wales. Working with grass-roots Plaid members has also inspired me, for their contribution to the nation is enormous. “I have also decided to stand down as a county councillor. This means there will be a by-election and I hope Plaid members will give as much help as they can to retain the seat. “I’d like to thank everyone for their support to me personally, professionally and politically and I look forward to victory in the

referendum and the Assmeby elections.” Plaid Leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said: “Gwenllian has been an inspirational leader, a tower of strength leading a dedicated team at Tŷ Gwynfor. “She has built on the success of the 2007 Assembly elections and laid the foundations for a good result in May. “While we are all sad to see her leave, we are delighted for her personally and wish her and Arwyn all the very best for their future happiness.” Plaid’s Leader on Cardiff Council, Neil McEvoy, said Dr Lansdown had made a massive contribution as a Riverside councillor and was very well respected in the community.“We are sad to see her go, but happy for her personally,” he said. “She has been a highly valued colleageue and friend.”

CHIEF EXECUTIVE TO STEP DOWN AFTER ASSEMBLY ELECTION

With hopes of a majority Yes vote in the March 3 referendum, every-one will enjoy a boost of energy that is likely to last three weeks. This is what scientists have dis-covered in world-wide studies over a number of years by meas-uring the physical effects of win-ning referendums. The results of these studies have led Plaid Cymru to the decision to hold its Spring Conference on the weekend of March 25 and 26. The venue is the Wales Millen-nium Centre in Cardiff Bay. Not that we’re taking the result for granted. The studies also show that three weeks are also required to recover from an unsuccessful referendum. The timing is therefore perfect for holding Plaid’s best ever Spring Conference. The weekend starts with a rally to mark a thousand hours until the Welsh General Election takes place. The rally will take place at 3pm on Thursday the 24th, with the location to be confirmed. The Welsh General Election will of course be the main theme of the conference. In recent years, Plaid conferences have devoted time to the discus-sion and debate of a wide range of policy areas. We have also continually made innovations in

the format and content of our con-ferences. Although the innovation will con-tinue, the objective of this confer-ence will be to communicate our message to the people of Wales and to persuade them to cast a vote for Plaid Cymru at the next election. Everybody understands that whichever party forms the next Welsh Government, they will not face an easy time. Plaid Ministers have gained ex-perience in government during the most difficult economic period for decades. The message will be that we have plans for renewing the economy and revitalising a thriving nation. We will rise to the challenges we face in ensuring that our citizens possess the basic skills to suc-ceed in a modern Wales, that our health services meet our require-ments and that the natural re-sources of our country are devel-oped for the benefit of the people. The speech by Plaid Leader Ieuan Wyn Jones be the highlight, and there will also be opportuni-ties to hear from some of the key candidates. In addition to the sessions in the main hall, there will be a number of interesting events taking place during the conference.

The fringe meetings will provide food for thought as well as for the stomach and the conference din-ner will provide food for the soul! If the guest speakers of recent conferences are any indication of the quality of the speaker for this conference, the dinner will be an occasion to remember. Attendance at the conference is free for Plaid Cymru members. It’s worth passing this message on to members who may not be aware of this change to the sys-tem. It’s also worth remembering that Wales plays its first football match against England for many years

on the Saturday afternoon, so the atmosphere in Cardiff will be all the more electric. There’s no need for football fans to worry, as the conference will be over by kick-off time and a suit-able location will have been ear-marked as the official Plaid venue for watching the game. So a welcome to all members to

come to the conference, enjoy the

company of fellow nationalists,

soak up the atmosphere and

watch our boys playing their

hearts out to beat ‘the old enemy’.

SPRING CONFERENCE – AND FOOTBALL TOO!

Gwenllian Lansdown with Colin Nosworthy

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A Plaid Cymru Assembly Mem-ber and a Plaid MP have won awards at this year’s Wales Yearbook event. Housing Minister Jocelyn Da-vies was named Politician of the Year and Plaid’s Westminster Leader Elfyn Llwyd won the Campaigner of the Year award.

Ms Davies’ award follows her achievements over the last 12 months, which included over-seeing measures to create more affordable homes in Wales and piloting the mort-gage rescue scheme to prevent people from losing their homes. She is an Assembly Member for

South Wales East and heads Plaid’s regional list in the area for next May’s Assembly elec-tions Mr Llwyd, MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, won his award in recognition of his fight to get better conditions for ex-servicemen and servicewomen. Plaid Leader Ieuan Wyn Jones congratulated both winners, saying their awards were richly deserved. He said: “What Jocelyn has been able to achieve as Hous-ing Minister has been remark-able. “Her lead on the mortgage res-cue scheme has saved many people in Wales from losing their homes. “She has delivered a stunning success in passing the 6,500 mark for affordable homes dur-ing this Assembly term and has shown an extraordinary ability to work with the housing sector to secure a Housing Measure that will make a real difference in Wales.

“Assembly Members from across the political spectrum will all be pleased that Jocelyn’s

dedication has been recog-nised. “She is one of the most re-spected and well thought of members in the Bay because she is always willing to put Wales before party priorities.

“I am extremely pleased Jocelyn’s hard work has been given the recognition it de-serves.” Mr Jones also paid tribute to Elfyn Llwyd’s campaigning work. He said: “Elfyn’s commitment to campaigning for veterans has been unmatched. “It is thanks to the hard work he has put in that people are really starting to sit up and question the care ex-service people are receiving. “It is a testament to his work that this is now a mainstream issue and the Government is being forced to consider the way troops returning from active service are looked after. “I am delighted for Elfyn on a personal level because I know how passionately he cares about this issue. He has worked tirelessly - and I have no doubt will continue to do so - to stand up for troops who de-serve to be treated better than they have been by successive

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