‘Everyone knows where I stand on this – including the Tories themselves’
As she faces a challenge for the leadership of Plaid Cymru, current leader Leanne Wood explains her vision for the future of the party and for Wales...
IHAVE been determined from the beginning of this leadership election to have a positive campaign, focussed on my vision for the future of Plaid Cymru and Wales.
I want to focus on a plan to see a Plaid Cymru Government in 2021, and I have said that it’s either First Minister or bust for me at the next election.
People said I would not win the leadership in 2012; they said I could not win in the Rhondda in 2016 and they say I will not be First Minister in 2021.
I didn’t believe the negativity then, and I don’t believe or accept it now.
However, I’d like to clear up some specific points that have not always been portrayed accurately over recent weeks, so that members know where I stand.
On Brexit: I do not support Brexit. I am in favour of a referendum on the final deal, as I believe the people should have the final say. I will continue to oppose the Tories’ disastrous and divisive plans every step of the way.
On working with the Tories: I have made it clear that under my leadership, Plaid Cymru will never enter into government with the Tories. Over recent months, colleagues in the Assembly and Westminster have made statements in meetings and in media interviews that they do not agree with this stance.
My position is not just a product of growing up in a mining community deeply affected by the miners’ strike of 1984/85 but is also based on pragmatism.
The British Election Survey – conducted by the Universities of Manchester, Oxford and Nottingham on voters’ attitude in Wales – came to a number of conclusions based on data collected between 2015 and 2017.
Of Plaid Cymru’s supporters and potential supporters, more than 40% “strongly dislike” the Tories. Around 50% chose the word “angry” as the word that best describes their feelings towards the Tories.
It is vitally important what our members, supporters and would-be supporters feel about working with the Tories.
The evidence suggests that most people that vote Plaid Cymru or would consider voting Plaid Cymru would regard it as a betrayal to even consider working with the Tories. In other words, it would spell electoral disaster. That is why I have taken an unequivocal position and rejected the contrary views of some of my party colleagues. Everyone knows where I stand on this; including the Tories themselves. They know that there is no chance whatsoever of us striking up a working arrangement.
On relationships with colleagues: Anonymous statements in the press recently have criticised my leadership style and my relationship with colleagues.
To me, leadership is not about issuing directives to others, but empowering them to lead in their own areas and utilising the talents of everyone in our party. Leadership is collaborative.
I had wanted to keep internal tensions out of the public eye. However, I think members deserve an explanation from me following media reports.
It is true that some colleagues have told me they believe I should step aside, and there have been many conversations, including a discussion at the National Executive Committee, where attempts were made to get me to change my position on working in government with the Tories. In the weeks leading up to the contest, there were many discussions on this.
I believe that is a central reason why I have been challenged for the leadership. I respect those who state openly that they have a different view; however, I believe it would be a fatal mistake both tactically and in principle to open the door to letting the Tories into government.
I will always strive to be an open, inclusive and honest leader. If any member has any questions about my stance on a particular issue, or any reports in the media, please get in touch with me and I will answer you as openly as I can.
As we head into the final weeks of campaigning, I will continue to lead a positive campaign and I would ask all my supporters to focus on telling members why we think our vision and plan for the party is the best to take us forward.
And I would ask everyone in Plaid Cymru to remember that we are all members of the same party. Please treat fellow members with respect and integrity.
We will be best placed to move forward after this election to work in the best interests of Wales if we keep that in mind at all times.
Ymlaen!