Tories call on Plaid to ditch ‘Party of Wales’

THE Welsh Conservatives have said Plaid Cymru should stop calling itself the Party of Wales after losing 15 out of 40 deposits in the general election.

Parties forfeit £500 when they get less than 5% of the vote in a constituency.

Tory AM Janet Finch-Saunders said: “Leanne Wood has enjoyed the kind of exposure that would make some celebrities jealous, and yet despite her apparent ‘fame’ she simply hasn’t translated that profile into votes for the so-called Party of Wales.

“Instead, they have once again failed to secure any meaningful advance in support – losing deposits in nearly half of the seats they fought at the general election.

“Clearly the party sets itself a low bar for success. But it is hard to see how they can refer to themselves as the ‘Party of Wales’ when they make no impression in so many parts of the only country in which they contest elections. It’s clear that Leanne Wood’s narrow vision for Wales just isn’t cutting through.

A Plaid Cymru spokesman said: “At a time when the country is concerned about wages, security and safety in their own homes, the Tories are more interested in silly and pointless digs at their opponents. Instead of throwing cheap shots, the leader of the Tories in the Senedd would be better advised dealing with the crisis engulfing his own party.

“The Tory group leader went on holiday during the election campaign, forcing a backbench AM to defend the Tory head office’s record. Plaid Cymru is the only party that represents the Welsh national interest at all times. Our MPs will never be instructed to follow orders from a London head office.”