Plaid Cymru — The Party of Wales
Leader	Ieuan Wyn Jones
Founded	5 August 1925
Headquarters	18 Park Grove, Cardiff, CF10 3BN Wales
Ideology	Social Democracy, Democratic socialism, Welsh Independence, Welsh nationalism
European affiliation	European Free Alliance
European Parliament Group	Greens-EFA
Official colours	Yellow
Website www.plaidcymru.org

Plaid Cymru (IPA: [plaɪd ˈkəmri]; English: The Party of Wales; often referred to simply as Plaid) is a political party in Wales. Ieuan Wyn Jones, AM (born 22 May 1949) is leader of Plaid Cymru, Deputy First Minister in the Welsh Assembly Government and Member Events 642 - Battle of Maserfield - Penda of Mercia defeats and kills Oswald of Bernicia. Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Cardiff ( 'kɑːdɪf) is the Capital and the largest city and county in Wales. Social democracy is a Political ideology of the left and centre-left Democratic socialism is a description used by various socialist movements tendencies and organizations to emphasize the democratic character of their political orientation Welsh independence is an ideal advocated by certain political movements within the Welsh electorate that would like Wales to Secede from the United Kingdom Welsh nationalism is a political and cultural movement that emerged during the nineteenth century The European Free Alliance ( EFA) is a European political party. The European Greens European Free Alliance ( The Greens European Free Alliance; Greens EFA; French: Le Groupe Verts Alliance libre européenne Yellow is the Color evoked by light that stimulates both the L and M (long and medium wavelength Cone cells of the Retina about equally English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States A political party is a Political organization that seeks to attain and maintain political power within Government, usually by participating in electoral It advocates the establishment of an independent Welsh state within the European Union. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in

Plaid Cymru was formed in 1925 and won its first seat in 1966. Plaid Cymru has 1 of 4 Welsh seats in the European Parliament, 3 of 40 Welsh seats in the UK Parliament, 15 of 60 seats in the National Assembly for Wales, where it is the junior partner in the coalition government with the Welsh Labour Party and 207 of 1,264 principal local authority councillors, including on two of 22 authorities where it is the largest single party. The European Parliament ( Europarl or EP) is the only directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union (EU The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom and British overseas territories The National Assembly for Wales (Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru is a devolved assembly with power to make legislation in Wales. The Wales Labour Party, also known as Welsh Labour (Llafur Cymru is the part of the Labour Party which operates in Wales. ^[1] According to accounts filed with the Electoral Commission for the year of 2004, the party has an income and expenditure of about £500,000. The Pound Sterling ( symbol £; ISO code: GBP) subdivided into 100 pence (singular penny) is the Currency ^[2]

Contents 1 Aims of the Party 2 History 2.1 Beginnings 2.2 1930s 2.3 1940s 2.4 1950s 2.5 1960s 2.6 1970s 2.7 1980s 2.8 1990s 2.9 Plaid Cymru in the Assembly era 2.9.1 First Welsh Assembly, 1999-2003 2.9.2 Second Welsh Assembly, 2003-2007 2.9.3 Third Welsh Assembly, 2007- 3 Party Leadership 4 Electoral performance 4.1 European Parliament Elections 4.2 UK General Elections 4.3 Welsh Assembly Elections 5 European Free Alliance 6 See also 7 References 8 External links

Aims of the Party

Plaid Cymru has five stated aims. ^[3]

1. To promote the constitutional advancement of Wales with a view to attaining Full National Status for Wales within the European Union. Independence is the Self-government of a Nation, Country, or State by its residents and population or some portion thereof generally exercising The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in
2. To ensure economic prosperity, social justice and the health of the natural environment, based on decentralist socialism.
3. To build a national community based on equal citizenship, respect for different traditions and cultures and the equal worth of all individuals, whatever their race, nationality, gender, colour, creed, sexuality, age, ability or social background.
4. To create a bilingual society by promoting the revival of the Welsh language. Welsh ( cy Cymraeg or cy y Gymraeg, kəmˈrɑːɨɡ and {{IPA|[ə ɡəmˈrɑːɨɡ]}}, is a member of the Brythonic branch of Celtic
5. To promote Wales's contribution to the global community and to attain membership of the United Nations.

History

Main article: History of Plaid Cymru

Beginnings

While both the Labour and Liberal parties of the early 20th century had accommodated demands for Welsh Home Rule, no political party existed for the purposes of establishing a Welsh Government. See also Plaid Cymru The Party of Wales Plaid Cymru The Party of Wales (IPA/plaɪd ˈkəmri/ often referred in common speech simply as Lewis Edward Valentine ( June 1, 1893 -March 1986 was a Welsh politician Baptist pastor author editor and Welsh language activist The Wales Labour Party, also known as Welsh Labour (Llafur Cymru is the part of the Labour Party which operates in Wales. The Liberal Party was one of the two major British political parties from the early 19th century until the rise of the Labour Party in the 1920s and a third party Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru (Welsh: National Party of Wales) was formed on 5 August 1925, by members of Byddin Ymreolwyr Cymru (The Welsh Home Rule Army) and Y Mudiad Cymreig (The Welsh Movement). Events 642 - Battle of Maserfield - Penda of Mercia defeats and kills Oswald of Bernicia. Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Initially, home rule for Wales was not an explicit aim of the new movement; keeping Wales Welsh-speaking took primacy, with the aim of making Welsh the only official language of Wales. ^[4]

Nevertheless, at the General Election of 1929 the party contested its first Parliamentary constituency in Caernarfonshire, polling 609 votes, or 1. Caernarvonshire was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of England then of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1707 6% of the vote for that seat. The party would contest few such elections in its early years, a product partly of its early ambivalence towards participating in Westminster politics. Indeed the candidate Lewis Valentine, the party’s first President, offered himself in Caernarfonshire on a platform of demonstrating Welsh people's rejection of English dominion. Lewis Edward Valentine ( June 1, 1893 -March 1986 was a Welsh politician Baptist pastor author editor and Welsh language activist ^[5]

1930s

By 1932 the aims of self-government and Welsh representation at the League of Nations had been added to that of preserving Welsh language and culture. Saunders Lewis (John Saunders Lewis ( October 15, 1893 - September 1, 1985) was a Welsh Poet, Dramatist, However, this move, and the party's early attempts to develop an economic critique, did not lead to the broadening of its appeal beyond that of an intellectual and socially conservative Welsh language pressure group. ^[6] The alleged sympathetic views of the party's leading members (including President Saunders Lewis) towards Europe's totalitarian regimes compromised its early appeal further^[7]

In 1936 Lewis, D. J. Williams and Lewis Valentine attacked and set fire to the newly constructed RAF Penyberth air base on the Llŷn peninsula in Gwynedd in protest at its siting in the Welsh-speaking heartland. Saunders Lewis (John Saunders Lewis ( October 15, 1893 - September 1, 1985) was a Welsh Poet, Dramatist, Genos Derwin Williams Jr (born July 20, 1982 in Sacramento California) colloquially named D Penyberth was a farmhouse at Penrhos, on the Llŷn Peninsula near Pwllheli, Gwynedd, which had been the home to generations of patrons of History Gwynedd was an independent kingdom from the end of the Roman period until the 13th Century when it was conquered and subjugated by England The leaders’ treatment, including the trial judge's dismissal of the use of Welsh and their subsequent imprisonment in Wormwood Scrubs became a cause celebre, heightening the profile of the party dramatically and seeing its membership double to nearly 2,000 by 1939. Wormwood Scrubs (informally "The scrubs" is a Category B British local Prison that receives prisoners on remand or after sentencing ^[8]

1940s

Penyberth, and Plaid Cymru’s neutral stance during the Second World War prompted concerns within the UK Government that it might be used by Germany to insert spies or carry out other covert operations. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including ^[9] In fact, the party adopted a neutral standpoint and urged (with only limited success) conscientious objection to war service. ^[10]

In 1943 Saunders Lewis contested the University of Wales Parliamentary seat at a by-election, gaining 1,330 votes, or 22%. Saunders Lewis (John Saunders Lewis ( October 15, 1893 - September 1, 1985) was a Welsh Poet, Dramatist, At the 1945 General Election, with party membership at around 2,500 Plaid Cymru contested 7 seats, as many as it had in the preceding 20 years, including constituencies in south Wales for the first time. Results |} Total votes cast 24073025 All parties shown Conservative total includes Ulster Unionists Reason for Labour victory At this time Gwynfor Evans was elected President. Dr Richard Gwynfor Evans ( 1 September 1912 – 21 April 2005) was a Welsh politician lawyer and author

1950s

Gwynfor Evans’ Presidency coincided with the maturation of Plaid Cymru (as it began to refer to itself at this time) into a more recognisable political party. Its share of the vote increased from 0. 7% in the 1951 General Election, to 3. Results |} Total votes cast 28596594 All parties shown Conservative result includes the Ulster Unionists Votes summary Headline 1% in 1955 and 5. Results |} Total votes cast 26759729 All parties shown Conservatives include National Liberal Party and Ulster Unionists Votes 2% in 1959. Results |} Total votes cast 26759729 All parties shown Conservatives include National Liberal Party and Ulster Unionists Votes At this latter General Election, the party contested a majority of Welsh seats for the first time. Proposals to drown the village of Capel Celyn in the Tryweryn valley in Gwynedd in 1957 to supply the city of Liverpool with water played a part in Plaid Cymru's growth. Capel Celyn (Holly Chapel was a rural community to the north west of Bala in north Wales, in the Afon Tryweryn Valley that was flooded to create a For the flooding of the Tryweryn Valley see Llyn Celyn. The Tryweryn is a River in north Wales which starts at Llyn Tryweryn in History Gwynedd was an independent kingdom from the end of the Roman period until the 13th Century when it was conquered and subjugated by England Liverpool ( is a City and Metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary The fact that the Parliamentary bill authorising the drowning went through without support from any Welsh MPs seemed to underline the party's argument that the Welsh national community was powerless. ^[11]

1960s

Support for the party declined slightly in the early 1960s, particularly as support for the Liberal Party began to stabilise from its long-term decline. In 1962 Saunders Lewis gave a radio talk entitled Tynged yr iaith (The fate of the language) in which he predicted the extinction of the Welsh language unless action was taken. "Tynged yr Iaith" (meaning "The fate of the language" was a radio lecture delivered in Welsh by Saunders Lewis on February 13, This led to the formation of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (the Welsh Language Society) the same year. Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (The Welsh Language Society often abbreviated to Cymdeithas or Cymdeithas yr Iaith) is a Pressure group in ^[12]

Labour’s return to power in 1964 and the creation of the post of Secretary of State for Wales appeared to represent a continuation of the incremental evolution of a distinctive Welsh polity, following the Conservative Party government's appointment of a Minister of Welsh Affairs in the mid 1950s and the establishment of Cardiff as Wales’s capital in 1955 . The Secretary of State for Wales (Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru is the head of the Wales Office within the United Kingdom cabinet. The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is a Political party in the United Kingdom. Cardiff ( 'kɑːdɪf) is the Capital and the largest city and county in Wales.

However, in 1966, less than four months after coming third in the constituency of Carmarthen, Gwynfor Evans sensationally captured the seat from Labour at a by-election. Carmarthen was the name of a parliamentary constituency in Wales which returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the This was followed by two further by-elections in Rhondda West in 1967 and Caerphilly in 1968 in which the party achieved massive swings of 30% and 40% respectively, coming within a whisker of victory. Rhondda West was a parliamentary constituency centred on the Rhondda district of Wales. Caerphilly is a County constituency centred on the town of Caerphilly in South Wales. The results were caused partly by an anti-Labour backlash. Expectations in coal mining communities that the Wilson government would halt the long-term decline in their industry had been dashed by a significant downward revision of coal production estimates. James Harold Wilson Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, KG, OBE, FRS, PC (11 March 1916 &ndash 24 May 1995 was one of the most prominent British politicians ^[13] However - in Carmarthen particularly - Plaid Cymru also successfully depicted Labour's policies as a threat to the viability of small Welsh communities. ^[14]

1970s

In the 1970 General Election Plaid Cymru contested every seat in Wales for the first time and its vote share surged from 4. Opinion poll summary ORC (Opinion Research Council Conservative lead of 1%Harris (Express Newspapers Labour lead of 2%NOP 5% in 1966 to 11. 5%. Gwynfor Evans, however, lost Carmarthen to Labour, lost again by three votes in February 1974, but regained the seat in October 1974, by which time the party had gained a further two MPs, representing the constituencies of Caernarfon and Merionethshire. Results |} Total votes 31321982 All parties are shown The seats won by the Ulster Unionists are compared with those won by Unionist MPs in the 1970 election Results |} Total number of votes 29189104 All parties shown Votes summary Seats summary Caernarfon (the original Welsh spelling is now almost always used in preference to the anglicised forms "Caernarvon" or "Carnarvon" is a Merionethshire (Meirionnydd Sir Feirionnydd is one of thirteen historic counties of Wales, and a former administrative county

Plaid Cymru’s emergence (along with the Scottish National Party) prompted the Wilson government to establish the Kilbrandon Commission on the constitution. The Scottish National Party (SNP (Pàrtaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba Scottis Naitional Pairtie is a Centre-left political party which campaigns for Scottish James Harold Wilson Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, KG, OBE, FRS, PC (11 March 1916 &ndash 24 May 1995 was one of the most prominent British politicians The Royal Commission on the Constitution, also referred to as the Kilbrandon Commission (initially the Crowther Commission) or Kilbrandon Report, was a The subsequent proposals for a Welsh Assembly were, however, heavily defeated in a referendum in 1979. In a Referendum on St David's Day ( March 1) 1979 the people of Wales voted against proposals by the Labour government of the United Kingdom Despite Plaid Cymru's ambivalence toward home rule (as opposed to outright independence) the referendum result led many in the party to question its direction. A referendum (plural referendums or referenda) ballot question, or plebiscite (from Latin plebiscita ^[15]

At the 1979 General Election the party’s vote share declined from 10. Background Callaghan had succeeded Harold Wilson as Labour Prime Minister after the latter's surprise resignation in April 1976 8% to 8. 1% and Carmarthen was again lost to Labour.

1980s

Caernarfon MP, Dafydd Wigley succeeded Gwynfor Evans as President in succession in 1981, inheriting a party whose morale was at an all-time low. The Rt Hon Dafydd Wigley (formerly David Wigley; born 1 April 1943) is a Welsh politician In 1981 the party adopted "community socialism" as a constitutional aim. While the party embarked on a wide-ranging review of its priorities and goals, Gwynfor Evans fought a successful campaign (including the threat of a hunger strike) to oblige the Conservative Government to fulfil its promise to establish S4C, a Welsh medium TV service. S4C (Sianel Pedwar Cymru meaning Channel Four Wales) is a television channel in Wales ^[16] In 1984 Dafydd Elis-Thomas was elected President, defeating Dafydd Iwan, a move that saw the party shift to the left. Dafydd Elis Elis-Thomas Baron Elis-Thomas PC AM, (born 18 October 1946 is a Welsh Politician and current Presiding Officer of the Dafydd Iwan (born 23 August, 1943) is a Welsh folk singer and politician Ieuan Wyn Jones (now Plaid Cymru leader) captured Ynys Môn from the Conservatives in 1987. Ieuan Wyn Jones, AM (born 22 May 1949) is leader of Plaid Cymru, Deputy First Minister in the Welsh Assembly Government and Member Ynys Môn (pronounced /ˌənɨ̞s 'moːn/ until 1983 formerly called Anglesey in English) is a constituency of the House of Commons of the Results |} All parties gaining over 500 votes listed Campaign and policies The Conservatives' campaign emphasized lower taxes a strong economy and defence In 1989 Dafydd Wigley once again assumed the Presidency.

1990s

In the 1992 General Election, the party added a fourth MP, Cynog Dafis, on a Plaid-Green Party ticket, gaining Ceredigion and Pembroke North from the Liberal Democrats. Results |} The turnout was 33514074 from an Electorate of 43275316 voting in a total of 651 seats Ceredigion or Cardiganshire is a Constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal Political party in the United Kingdom, formed in 1988 by merging the The party’s vote share recovered to 9. 9% by the 1997 General Election. Results The election was fought under new boundaries with a net increase of eight seats compared to the 1992 election

In 1997 following the election of a Labour government committed to devolution for Wales a further referendum was narrowly won, establishing the National Assembly for Wales. The Welsh referendum of 1997 was a pre-legislative Referendum held in Wales only over whether there was support for the creation of an assembly for The National Assembly for Wales (Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru is a devolved assembly with power to make legislation in Wales. Plaid Cymru became the main opposition to the ruling Labour Party, with 17 seats to Labour's 28. In so doing it appeared to have broken out of its rural Welsh-speaking heartland, and captured traditionally strong Labour areas in industrial south Wales. South Wales (De Cymru is an area of Wales bordered by England and the Bristol Channel to the east and south and Mid Wales and West Wales

Plaid Cymru in the Assembly era

First Welsh Assembly, 1999-2003

In the 1999 election Plaid Cymru gained seats in traditional Labour areas such as in the Rhondda, Islwyn and Llanelli, achieving by far its highest share of the vote in any Wales-wide election. The Rt Hon Dafydd Wigley (formerly David Wigley; born 1 April 1943) is a Welsh politician The first National Assembly for Wales election was held in 1999 Rhondda is a constituency of the National Assembly for Wales. Boundaries The constituency was created for the first election to the Assembly in 1999 with the name and boundaries of the Islwyn Westminster constituency. Llanelli is a constituency of the National Assembly for Wales. While Plaid Cymru regarded itself as the natural beneficiary of devolution, others attributed its performance in large part to the travails of the Labour Party, whose nomination for Assembly First Secretary, Ron Davies, was forced to stand down in an alleged sex scandal. The First Minister ( Prif Weinidog) is the leader of the Welsh Assembly Government, Wales ' devolved administration which was established in 1999 Ronald Davies (born 6 August 1946 is a Welsh Politician, former Secretary of State for Wales, former Member of Parliament and former member A sex scandal is a Scandal involving allegations or information about Embarrassing Sexual activities, such as Adultery, being made public The ensuing leadership battle, won by Alun Michael, did much to damage Labour, and thus aided Plaid Cymru, whose leader was the more popular and higher profile Dafydd Wigley. Alun Edward Michael JP MP (born 22 August 1943 is a Welsh politician The Rt Hon Dafydd Wigley (formerly David Wigley; born 1 April 1943) is a Welsh politician The UK Labour national leadership was seen to interfere in the contest and deny the popular Rhodri Morgan victory. The Labour Party is a Political party in the United Kingdom. Founded at the start of the 20th century it has been since the 1920s the principal party of the Rt Hon Hywel Rhodri Morgan AM (born 29 September 1939) is a Welsh Politician; the Labour National Assembly for ^[17] Less than two months later, in elections to the European parliamnent, Labour support slumped further, and Plaid Cymru came within 2. England Scotland and Wales Source: UK Office of the European Parliament Note Percentages are approximate Northern Ireland 5% of achieving the largest share of the vote in Wales. Under the new system of proportional representation, the party also gained two MEPs. Proportional representation (sometimes referred to as full representation or PR is a category of electoral formula aiming at a close match between the percentage of votes

Plaid Cymru then developed political problems of its own. Dafydd Wigley resigned, citing health problems but amid rumours of a plot against him. ^[18] His successor, Ieuan Wyn Jones, struggled to impose his authority, particularly over controversial remarks made by a senior councillor, Seimon Glyn. Ieuan Wyn Jones, AM (born 22 May 1949) is leader of Plaid Cymru, Deputy First Minister in the Welsh Assembly Government and Member ^[19] At the same time, Labour leader and First Minister Alun Michael was replaced by Rhodri Morgan.

In the 2001 General Election, Plaid Cymru lost Wyn Jones' former seat of Ynys Môn to Albert Owen, but gained Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, where Adam Price was elected. Results |} Total votes cast 26368204 All parties with more than 500 votes shown Ynys Môn (pronounced /ˌənɨ̞s 'moːn/ until 1983 formerly called Anglesey in English) is a constituency of the House of Commons of the Albert Owen (born 10 August 1959 is a Welsh politician and Member of Parliament for Ynys Môn for the Labour Party. Adam Price (born 23 September 1968 Carmarthen) is a politician in Wales, and Plaid Cymru Member of Parliament for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr Notwithstanding these mixed results, the party recorded its highest ever vote share in a General Election, 14. 3%

Second Welsh Assembly, 2003-2007

The Assembly elections of May 2003 saw the party's representation drop from 17 to 12, with the gains of the 1999 election falling again to Labour and the party's share of the vote declining to 21%. The National Assembly for Wales election 2003, was the second General election to the National Assembly for Wales. Plaid Cymru narrowly remained the second-largest party in the National Assembly ahead of the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Forward Wales.

On 15 September 2003 folk-singer and county councillor Dafydd Iwan was elected Plaid Cymru's new President. Events 668 - Eastern Roman Emperor Constans II is assassinated in his bath at Syracuse Italy. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Folk music can have a number of different meanings including Traditional music: The original meaning of the term "folk music" was synonymous Dafydd Iwan (born 23 August, 1943) is a Welsh folk singer and politician Ieuan Wyn Jones, who had resigned from his dual role as President and Assembly group leader following the losses in the 2003 Assembly election, was re-elected in the latter role. Elfyn Llwyd remained the Plaid Cymru leader in the Westminster Parliament. Elfyn Llwyd (born September 26, 1951) is a Welsh Politician, and Member of the U Under Iwan's Presidency the party formally adopted a policy of independence for Wales in Europe.

The 2004 local election saw the party lose control of the two south Wales councils it gained in 1999, Rhondda Cynon Taff and Caerphilly, while retaining its stronghold of Gwynedd in the north west. History The county borough was formed on 1 April 1996, by the merger of the former Mid Glamorgan districts of Cynon Valley, Caerphilly (Caerffili is a town in the County borough of Caerphilly, south Wales, located at the bottom of the Rhymney Valley, with However, the results led the party to claim a greater number of ethnic minority councillors than all the other political parties in Wales combined,^[20] along with individual ward gains in authorities such as Cardiff and Swansea, where Plaid Cymru represenation had been minimal. Swansea ( Abertawe "mouth of the Tawe " is a city and county in Wales. In the European Parliamentary elections of the same year, the party's vote share fell to 17. 4%, and the reduction in the number of Welsh MEPs saw its representation reduced to one.

In the General Election of May 5, 2005, Plaid Cymru lost the Ceredigion seat to the Liberal Democrats, the result was a disappointment to Plaid, who had hoped to gain Ynys Môn. Results Overview For events leading up to the date of the election see article Pre-election day events of the United Kingdom general Events 553 - The Second Council of Constantinople begins 1215 - Rebel Barons renounce their allegiance to King John Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Ceredigion or Cardiganshire is a Constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal Political party in the United Kingdom, formed in 1988 by merging the Ynys Môn (pronounced /ˌənɨ̞s 'moːn/ until 1983 formerly called Anglesey in English) is a constituency of the House of Commons of the Overall therefore, the party's Parliamentary representation fell to three seats, the lowest level for Plaid Cymru since 1992. The party's share of the vote fell to 12. 6%. ^[21]

In 2006, the party voted constitutional changes to formally designate the party's leader in the assembly as its overall leader, with Ieuan Wyn Jones being restored to the full leadership and Dafydd Iwan becoming head of the voluntary wing of the party. Ieuan Wyn Jones, AM (born 22 May 1949) is leader of Plaid Cymru, Deputy First Minister in the Welsh Assembly Government and Member Dafydd Iwan (born 23 August, 1943) is a Welsh folk singer and politician 2006 also saw the party unveil a radical change of image, opting to use "Plaid" as the party's name, although "Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales" would remain the official title. The party's colours were changed to yellow from the traditional green and red, while the party logo was changed from the 'triban' (three peaks) used since 1933 to a yellow Welsh poppy (Meconopsis cambrica). The Welsh poppy ( Meconopsis cambrica) (2n=28 is a perennial plant of the family Papaveraceae.

Third Welsh Assembly, 2007-

In the Welsh Assembly election of May 3, 2007, Plaid Cymru increased its number of seats from 12 to 15, regaining Llanelli, gaining one additional list seat and winning the newly created constituency of Aberconwy The 2007 election also saw Plaid Cymru's Mohammad Asghar become the first ethnic minority candidate elected to the Welsh Assembly. The 2007 National Assembly election was held on Thursday 3 May 2007 to elect members to the National Assembly for Wales. Events 1491 - Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga is baptised by Portuguese missionaries adopting the baptismal name of João Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Llanelli is a constituency of the National Assembly for Wales. Aberconwy is a constituency of the National Assembly for Wales, created for the 2007 Assembly election. Mohammad Asghar, AM (born 1945 is a Welsh politician Representing Plaid Cymru, he won election to the Welsh Assembly in 2007 on the list for ^[22] The Party's share of the vote increased to 22. 4%.

After weeks of negotiations involving all four parties in the Assembly, Plaid Cymru and Labour agreed to form a coalition government. Their agreed "One Wales" programme included a commitment for both parties to campaign for a 'Yes' vote in a referendum on full-law making powers for the Assembly, to be held at a time of the Welsh Assembly Government's choosing. One Wales ( Welsh: Cymru'n Un ˈkəmrɨn ɨn is the Coalition agreement for the National Assembly for Wales between the Welsh Labour ^[23] Ieuan Wyn Jones was subsequently confirmed as Deputy First Minister of Wales^[24] and Economy and Transport Minister. The First Minister ( Prif Weinidog) is the leader of the Welsh Assembly Government, Wales ' devolved administration which was established in 1999 His Deputy, Rhodri Glyn Thomas was appointed Heritage Minister with Ceredigion AM Elin Jones appointed to the Rural Affairs brief in the new 10 member Cabinet. Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM (born 11 April 1953 in Wrexham, Denbighshire) is a Welsh politician Elin Jones (born 1 September 1966, Lampeter) grew up on a farm in Llanwnnen near Lampeter and has been the Assembly Member for

Party Leadership

Plaid Cymru Leadership

Name and Portrait		Party Office	Constituency (if any)	Notes
1	Ieuan Wyn Jones	Party Leader since 2006 and AM Group Leader	AM for Ynys Môn	Deputy First Minister of Wales A 2006 party reorganization designated the group leader in the Assembly as overall party leader. Ieuan Wyn Jones, AM (born 22 May 1949) is leader of Plaid Cymru, Deputy First Minister in the Welsh Assembly Government and Member The National Assembly for Wales (Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru is a devolved assembly with power to make legislation in Wales. Ynys Môn (Anglesey is a constituency of the National Assembly for Wales. The First Minister ( Prif Weinidog) is the leader of the Welsh Assembly Government, Wales ' devolved administration which was established in 1999
2	Dafydd Wigley	Honorary Party President From 2001		Former Party President
3	Dafydd Iwan	Party President Since 2003
4	Rhodri Glyn Thomas	Deputy President	AM Carmarthen East and Dinefwr	Assembly Member Assembly Government Minister for Heritage
5	Elfyn Llwyd	U. The Rt Hon Dafydd Wigley (formerly David Wigley; born 1 April 1943) is a Welsh politician President is a Title leaders of Organizations companies, Trade unions universities, and countries. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Dafydd Iwan (born 23 August, 1943) is a Welsh folk singer and politician President is a Title leaders of Organizations companies, Trade unions universities, and countries. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM (born 11 April 1953 in Wrexham, Denbighshire) is a Welsh politician __FORCETOC__ For the Vice President of the United States, their roles and other information see Vice President of the United States. Carmarthen East and Dinefwr is a constituency of the National Assembly for Wales. Elfyn Llwyd (born September 26, 1951) is a Welsh Politician, and Member of the U K. Parliament Group Leader	MP Meirionnydd Nant Conwy

Electoral performance

European Parliament Elections

Year	Percentage of vote in Wales	Seats won
1979	11. A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a Parliament. Meirionnydd Nant Conwy is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. England Scotland and Wales Source UK Office of the European Parliament Note percentages are approximate Northern Ireland 7%	0 (of 4)
1984	12. England Scotland and Wales Source UK Office of the European Parliament Note percentages are approximate Constituency Results 2%	0 (of 4)
1989	12. England Scotland and Wales Source UK Office of the European Parliament Note percentages are approximate Northern Ireland 9%	0 (of 4)
1994	17. England Scotland and Wales Sources * UK Office of the European Parliament * United Kingdom election results Note Percentages are approximate 1%	0 (of 5)
1999	29. England Scotland and Wales Source: UK Office of the European Parliament Note Percentages are approximate Northern Ireland 6%	2 (of 5)
2004	17. England Scotland and Wales Turnout for all the regions was 37 1%	1 (of 4)

UK General Elections

Year	Percentage of vote in Wales	Seats won
1929	< 0. The 1929 UK general election was held on 30 May 1929 and resulted in a Hung parliament. 1%	0 (of 36)
1931	0. The UK general election on Tuesday 27 October 1931 was the last in the United Kingdom not held on a Thursday 2%	0 (of 36)
1935	0. Results |} Total votes cast 20991488 All parties shown Conservatives include Ulster Unionists Seats won by the Independent Labour Party (ILP are 3%	0 (of 36)
1945	1. Results |} Total votes cast 24073025 All parties shown Conservative total includes Ulster Unionists Reason for Labour victory 2%	0 (of 36)
1950	1. Results |} Total votes cast 28771124 All parties shown Conservative total includes Ulster Unionists Votes summary Seats summary 2%	0 (of 36)
1951	0. Results |} Total votes cast 28596594 All parties shown Conservative result includes the Ulster Unionists Votes summary Headline 7%	0 (of 36)
1955	3. Results |} Total votes cast 26759729 All parties shown Conservatives include National Liberal Party and Ulster Unionists Votes 1%	0 (of 36)
1959	5. Background Following the Suez Crisis in 1956 Anthony Eden the Conservative Prime Minister became unpopular and resigned the following year 2%	0 (of 36)
1964	4. Campaign The pre-election campaign was prolonged as Douglas-Home delayed calling a general election in order to try to give himself the maximum time to improve the 8%	0 (of 36)
1966	4. National opinion poll summary Research Services: 3% swing to Labour (forecast majority of 101National Opinion Polls: 3 3%	0 (of 36)
1970	11. Opinion poll summary ORC (Opinion Research Council Conservative lead of 1%Harris (Express Newspapers Labour lead of 2%NOP 5%	0 (of 36)
1974 (Feb)	10. Results |} Total votes 31321982 All parties are shown The seats won by the Ulster Unionists are compared with those won by Unionist MPs in the 1970 election 8%	2 (of 36)
1974 (Oct)	10. Results |} Total number of votes 29189104 All parties shown Votes summary Seats summary 8%	3 (of 36)
1979	8. Background Callaghan had succeeded Harold Wilson as Labour Prime Minister after the latter's surprise resignation in April 1976 1%	2 (of 36)
1983	7. Results The Conservatives won with a majority of 144 seats|} Total votes cast 30661309 8%	2 (of 38)
1987	7. Results |} All parties gaining over 500 votes listed Campaign and policies The Conservatives' campaign emphasized lower taxes a strong economy and defence 3%	3 (of 38)
1992*	9%	4 (of 38)
1997	9. Results |} The turnout was 33514074 from an Electorate of 43275316 voting in a total of 651 seats Results The election was fought under new boundaries with a net increase of eight seats compared to the 1992 election 9%	4 (of 40)
2001	14. Results |} Total votes cast 26368204 All parties with more than 500 votes shown 3%	4 (of 40)
2005	12. Results Overview For events leading up to the date of the election see article Pre-election day events of the United Kingdom general 6%	3 (of 40)

• One seat contested on a joint Plaid Cymru/Green Party ticket

Welsh Assembly Elections

Year	Percentage of vote (constituency)	Percentage of vote (regional)	Seats won (constituency)	Seats won (regional)
1999	28. The first National Assembly for Wales election was held in 1999 4%	30. 6%	9 (of 40)	8 (of 20)
2003	21. The National Assembly for Wales election 2003, was the second General election to the National Assembly for Wales. 2%	19. 7%	5 (of 40)	7 (of 20)
2007	22. The 2007 National Assembly election was held on Thursday 3 May 2007 to elect members to the National Assembly for Wales. 4%	21. 0%	7 (of 40)	8 (of 20)

European Free Alliance

Plaid retains close links with the Scottish National Party, with both parties' MPs co-operating closely with one another. The Scottish National Party (SNP (Pàrtaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba Scottis Naitional Pairtie is a Centre-left political party which campaigns for Scottish They work as a single group within Westminster, and were involved in joint campaigning during the 2005 General Election campaign. The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom and British overseas territories Results Overview For events leading up to the date of the election see article Pre-election day events of the United Kingdom general Both parties are part of the European Free Alliance group in the European Parliament, a nationalist and regionalist bloc of parties. The European Free Alliance ( EFA) is a European political party. The European Parliament ( Europarl or EP) is the only directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union (EU The EFA works with the European Green Party in order to form a grouping in the European Parliament: the Greens - European Free Alliance. The European Green Party (or European Greens or EGP) is the Green Political party at European level. The European Parliament ( Europarl or EP) is the only directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union (EU The European Greens European Free Alliance ( The Greens European Free Alliance; Greens EFA; French: Le Groupe Verts Alliance libre européenne

See also

• List of Plaid Cymru MPs
• Category:Plaid Cymru politicians
• Politics of Wales
• National Assembly for Wales election, 2007

References

External links

• Plaid Cymru — official site
• Key dates for Plaid Cymru
• Plaid Cymru — Official 2007 Pre Election Website

Events 1214 - Battle of Bouvines: In France, Philip II of France defeats John of England. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. BBC Wales ( BBC Cymru) is a division of the British Broadcasting Corporation for Wales. Events 911 - Signing of the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte between Charles the Simple and Rollo of Normandy. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

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