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AM Elin Jones calls for a ‘gear change’ as she backs Rhun ap Iorwerth for Plaid leader

06 Sep 2018 2 minute read
Ceredigion AM and Presiding Officer, Elin Jones

The Assembly Member for Ceredigion Elin Jones has announced that she will be giving Rhun ap Iorwerth her first vote in the Plaid Cymru leadership election.

In a statement today, Elin Jones AM, who is also the National Assembly’s Presiding Officer, said that she would be “voting for change”.

She joined Ceredigion’s MP, Ben Lake, in backing Rhun ap Iorwerth.

Elin Jones’ endorsement means that only one of Plaid’s elected representatives in the Assembly or Westminster, Dai Lloyd, has so far backed the incumbent leader Leanne Wood.

“I do so, not as a criticism of the current leadership, but in recognition that we need to achieve more,” she said.

“These are extraordinary times and require creative and confident parties. We cannot risk timidity in our response to the challenges facing our country as a result of the Brexit referendum.

“As a party, we must not become complacent or content with speaking to each other, rather than reaching out to wider Welsh society.

“We are no longer a party of protest, but rather a party which aspires to run the government. We can only make the changes Wales requires us to do when in government.

“As things stand, we need a gear change in order to build the momentum necessary to win the next election, to form that government. That’s why I’ll be voting for change.

“Leanne has done an excellent job over the past few years. She has been the right Leader for that time.

“But these extraordinary times require a new Leader to challenge Brexit and build a party fit to win elections in all parts of Wales and ready to govern our country.

“I’ll be giving Rhun my first vote.”


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