Leanne Wood has joined a group that says it may stand candidates against Plaid Cymru
Martin Shipton
Questions have been raised about former Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood’s decision to join a recently formed “ecosocialist” group which says it may stand candidates of its own in next year’s Senedd election.
Cymru’n Codi {Cymru Rising) was formed following a conference in May 2025 that agreed on the need for a new pro-independence, anti-capitalist organisation in Wales.
Its website contains policy papers that set out how Wales should become a full-blooded independent socialist republic, with all businesses run on cooperative lines, employment law devolved to Wales and punitive measures imposed on employers who fail to comply with the new arrangements.
Earlier this week Ms Wood announced on her Facebook page: “I’ve just signed up to Cymru’n Codi. Cymru’n Codi is a grassroots socialist mudiad (movement), based on a commonly agreed policy platform, that advocates for society to be organised around the principle of pobl, planed, heddwch, or people, planet and peace – not profit.”
Welcomed
Ms Wood was welcomed to the organisation by Len Arthur, a retired Marxist academic who worked at what is now Cardiff Metropolitan University for more than three decades. He responded to Ms Wood’s message stating: “Excellent Leanne welcome to the fight for ecosocialism in Cymru! Everyone who agrees with Leanne is most welcome as well!!!!!”
But another responder, Mark Potter, wrote: “Yes, great. But shouldn’t this just be Plaid?”
Ms Wood replied to Mr Potter, stating: “Anyone in Plaid Cymru who wants to sign up to the aims are welcome, but it includes socialists who are in other organisations and none as well. It’s an attempt to create cross-party unity for socialist policies and inclusive values across Cymru, and independence.”
A political source contacted us and said: “Have you seen Leanne’s political page on Facebook? She has announced that she has joined Cymru’n Codi and shares the ‘Join us’ page. In several places in their website they mention the potential of standing their own candidates in the next Senedd election: ‘In the short term, we are focussing on the Senedd 2026 elections; to intervene through either standing candidates or supporting other candidates through agreement.’
“Their first motion of their formation includes: ‘intervene by standing candidates and/or supporting others in agreement.’
“Will the former leader of Plaid support candidates who are Cymru’n Codi candidates against Plaid candidates?
“Will this be investigated by the party considering that [the late Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas] was not allowed back in the party for supporting candidates against PC candidates?”
We asked Plaid Cymru for a statement. A party spokesperson would only say: “This is a matter for Leanne to address.”
‘United voice’
Ms Wood told us: “Cymru’n Codi is an attempt to bring together socialists and community activists to offer a positive, pro-independence, pro-environment platform, a united voice critical of governments and a space where like-minded people can work on common projects like anti-racism / anti-fascism and for policies which will help those who are economically struggling.
“It is not a registered political party.
“I am still a member of Plaid Cymru, as I have been for 34 years. I will not support candidates standing against the party.
“The people behind Cymru’n Codi have not yet taken a decision as to how Cymru’n Codi will interact with candidates and parties and will be discussing these and many other issues in a conference planned for the autumn. I hope to be able to influence these decisions as a member. If the organisation decides to form a new party, I will withdraw my membership.
“I am of the view that there is a real need for community organising outside of political parties, for raising awareness of politics and how decisions are made and for consideration as to how a movement of like-minded community builders can force political change and social justice in between elections.
“A series of policy discussions are already taking place, papers are being published and I would like to see socialist candidates in various parties to be asked to support and campaign for these commonly agreed positions.”
Adam Price
Ms Wood was a member of what began as the National Assembly and became the Senedd from 2003 until 2021, when she lost her Rhondda seat to Labour.
She led Plaid Cymru from 2012 to 2018, when she was defeated in a leadership election by Adam Price.
Earlier this year she surprised many by saying she would not be seeking selection as a candidate in next year’s Senedd election.
Instead she has joined forces with former Cynon Valley Labour MP Beth Winter, speaking at grassroots public meetings where they warn about the dangers of the far right.
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I do love how self-centred politicians are. Yes, start a new party that splinters the PCymru vote. Another bonus for for Reform… ‘Ecosocialism’. Good grief.
Take it you didn’t read the article in full. They’re not at the point where they have chosen to field candidates, there are just rumors at this point. Leanne clearly states that if they do decide to field candidates that stand against PlaidCymru that she would withdraw her membership. I’ve personally met Leanne and her dedication to Plaid Cymru is strong. However, she also has a commitment to campaigning on and fixing issues that affect not just her own community but everyone in Wales. If that means working with groups on environmental issues, working with trade unions or former labour… Read more »
Absolutely right. Chuck in Corbyn’s new party (if it really exists) plus other splinter groups like TUSC, Propel, Gwlad and even the Greens – and the only one laughing is called Farage.
Yup
Mad as a March Hare.
What does ecosocialism even mean? I find it absolutely bizarre that she encourages people to join a group that may stand candidates against her own party. In fairness, Jonathan Edwards did predict something similar last week!
Ecosocialist is a recognition that we live on a finite planet, the continued existence of which is constantly threatened by capitalism. The logic of capitalism is ‘grow or perish’ requiring constant production of more and more, often unnecessary, products. Along the way workers, who produce every single penny of wealth created, are discarded, made redundant, have their pay cut, their hours of work increased all to maximise profits for the capitalist owners who create no wealth. Sometimes this struggle between capitalists spills over into wars, causing even more damage to the planet and all those living on it. Famines, floods,… Read more »
That is all very well and I agree with what you say, but now is not the time to confuse the issue- we want an independent Cymru controlling its own finances, social policy etc. When we have that, we can then, in a truly democratic way, decide our future course. As others have said here, all you are doing at this stage is paving the way for Farage. Don’t be his useful idiot.
Eco from ecosystem so Enviromental
Socialism, working collectively from the bottom up to fix a problem.
So Ecosocialism is clearly a group that aims to target and solve collectively, environmental issues.
With that said, there’s already a party that does this, it’s called The Green Party.
No, its called Plaid Cymru. If you want to keep Reform out, don’t divide the opposition.
Sounds like a power struggle that will not benefit the Welsh folk at all. If she really wants to help, she needs to make the peace with PC. Power is not always everything, compromise and striving together for a cause and a purpose will always win in the end.
What does an anti-capitalist want? A return to bartering, communism, or something else?
A return to social democracy.
Social democracy isn’t anti-capitalist. From Wikipedia: “social democracy aims to strike a balance by advocating for a mixed market economy where capitalism is regulated to address inequalities through social welfare programs and supports private ownership with a strong emphasis on a well-regulated market”.
You could say that Capitalism is all about – “me first”, or “competition, competition, competition”. Logical conclusion of that is endless Wars. Refugees in dire circumstances everywhere, and Greedy wealth created on the backs of the rest of us. There’s no such thing as “Trickle down”.. “Drawbridge up”, more like. Haven’t we had enough of this system – it doesn’t work. If we don’t share out the cake it won’t go round – simples! The Right and Far right have had a good run, 46 years. Look where it’s got us, and the world in general. A world coming to… Read more »
Capitalism just means the system of money. You’re describing unconstrained capitalism. And the behaviours this enables are human behaviours which don’t stop when you take money out of the equation. People killed, lied and stole for personal gain long before money was invented. Other systems won’t fix that which is something communism never understood.
All right then – just give someone else a chance – present leaders leaders aren’t up to the job. Try Leanne Wood for example. Corbyn, and all the rest. Change direction. We’re headed the wrong way. We don’t have to think and act like primitive cave men – kill or be killed. And get away from the unbridled greed – and the Money God.
No arguments there but the choice of words matters and calling yourself an anti-capitalist when you want social democracy makes as much sense as a vegetarian calling themselves anti-food.
adopted cardi, a quick look at history suggests plenty of non-capitalist states couldn’t resist starting a few wars too.
I have no issue with having a new pressure group debating & lobbying on such policy areas & politics from community up is the very best way to counter fascism, but standing candidates is basically ‘meat & drink’ for Reform, particularly under the new voting system.
Question: Will she be called in by the leadership of Plaid Cymru and asked to explain herself?? In less than a year there is a very real possibility that Plaid Cymru could form the government. Whilst my views on Plaid Cymru are well known, it would be churlish of me not to see such an event as important – even exciting – for the future of Cymru. For nationalists like me working from the sixties onward, regarded with suspicion, even hatred such a event was beyond our wildest dreams. Leeanne Wood and her nineteenth century Marxist fairy tales may well… Read more »
What does she have to explain John? It’s not a registered political party. In that sense being a member of Cymru’n Codi is no different to being a member of a organisation like Yes Cymru.
You’re missing the point. Yes Cymru is not a political party but a campaigning group.
Leeanne has publicly (n.b.) associated herself with an organisation that has openly and unreservedly stated that it is giving serious thought to standing candidates against Plaid Cymru.
It’s all very well her saying that if it does she will leave, but the damage is done. A former leader, accidentally, thoughtlessly or indeed deliberately associating herself with an organisation that may well oppose her party and damage a momentous opportunity, questions her commitment to our nation.
Plaid Cymru is better off without her.
So we’re not even going to allow organizations to have these debates about getting involved so that they can raise the issue at the highest levels of governments. They may very well decide it’s not worth the effort, let them have the internal discussion, otherwise we’re just silencing people for thought crime at this point. Leanne has always stated that she’s a Plaid Cymru member and has zero interest in standing against Plaid Cymru or supporting an organization that stands against Plaid Cymru. Her position could not be clearer.
Yet she is supporting and encouraging others to join an organisation that may stand against her party. A bizarre situation
“Her position could not be clearer.” Exactly! She has aligned herself with a far left organisation that has announced it is thinking about standing against Plaid Cymru. She has made her support for this organisation very clear, even if she tries back peddling.
Perhaps Cymru Rising could provide a list of countries that have deployed the socialist model to the benefit of the people. Several socialist countries have enjoyed significant development of the country, but I can’t think of a single example where socialism didn’t lead to the oppression of the people, usually accompanied by famine and state-sponsored murder of opponents.
Perhaps Leanne Wood, and anybody planning to support this group, might wish to read Animal Farm.
Wrong, it is easy to spot a successful socialist society, because the US immediately arranges a coup or economic sanctions to destroy it. In the latter case, those sanctions drive it into the arms of foreign powers, causing the socialism to be compromised and leading to the effects you describe. Cuba is the classic example of this. If socialism is so bad, why doesn’t it just fail of itself? Why do right wing cabals spend so much time and money attacking it? Why fear that which, according to you, is a failed system anyway?
Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Spain… arguments can also be made for Germany and Ireland. Brazil, Chile is doing quite well. All of these have broadly socialist governments and ‘liberal’ ways of doing things.
Perhaps you’re thinking of authoritarianism. (See Russia, North Korea, Maoist China, Pol Pot, Germany 1945).
You have successfully listed several social democracies, but not a single socialist state. Ireland? A socialist state? Is that why it is a tax haven for various international corporations?
Every country you have listed is a capitalist economy with strong social values. Thank you for proving my point.
Reform UK has one route to power in next year’s elections – if enough people on the centre left and left vote for parties that have no hope of picking up more than a handful of seats – Green Pty, Corbyn’s new protest party and any other.
The crying shame of FPTP, you can’t vote for the party you like the most and have a second, third choice preference… you must vote for the party that’s second from the bottom to ensure the worst party doesn’t get in.
This is the democracy we voted for.
Cymru’n Codi isnt a registered political party – in that respect in what way is it different to organisations like Yes Cymru? And many members of Plaid Cymru are also members of Yes Cymru.
Missing the point, mate. Unlike Yes Cymru they have said that they are considering fielding candidates and they were formed with an eye on the Senedd election. Your comparison with Yes Cymru is totally flawed
That would be a shame. Leanne is a natural born leader with one of the sharpest political minds. Her loss if it happens would be a blow for Plaid.
Really?? She was such a good leader that members left in droves, when pushed into a leadership contest she became a poor third and her “sharpest political mind” is closed; does her latest outburst and support for Marxist allies suggest such a mind? I think not.
Whether or not you agreed with Leanne Wood’s approach as leader, it’s hard to deny she brought something vital to the movement: a first-class political brain coupled with a fierce commitment to social justice. Her ability to articulate Plaid’s vision in UK-wide debates helped raise the party’s profile well beyond Wales, and her historic win in Rhondda proved Plaid could challenge Labour in its traditional heartlands. .
It’s easy to deny. Believe me.
I never heard a word about “Plaid’s vision” although I head plenty of left wing nonsense.
Geraint Davies victory in 1999 was the truly historic event.
I agree that more socialism would benefit Cymru. More socialism would be of great benefit to “principle of pobl, planed, heddwch, or people, planet and peace – not profit.”.. So why does Leanne Wood try and take rights away from 51% of the planet i.e. women? Trans women are women started under LW, carried on by AP and Rhun ap I and now PC is the only political party in UK who has refused to acknowledge the Cass Report and the judgement of the Supreme Court on 16th April. Let’s have fairness for everyone otherwise it’s same old equality but… Read more »
If the polls are correct then Plaid must be doing something right. Granted Labour and the Tories contributing to their own downfall is also a factor, but so far they haven’t done anything to deter voters from endorsing them. I wasn’t a fan of Leanne Wood when she was leader as I felt that she prioritised her left-wing values over any attempt to try make the party a broad church. I just hope the party can remain united and grasp the opportunity to be the biggest party next year, especially with the prospect of Reform UK gaining ground as well.
Plaid will not be the biggest party next year. They will be third behind Reform and Labour
Might not be a bad thing; inevitably national parties begin as factions focusing on the single issue of national autonomy. But the reality is that while a desire for greater autonomy may a uniting factor, in other aspects of their politics ‘nationalists’ may well have rather different perspectives. I remember gradually realizing, after I first moved to Wales sixty years ago, that the overall political instincts of Plaid members in y fro Cymraeg were often quite different from the instincts of Plaid members, say, in the industrial valleys of the south-east. Perhaps inevitable, then, and even arguably a sign of… Read more »
Anti-capitalist?! This is absolutely nuts. Capitalism isn’t perfect, but without capitalism, Wales would not have grown its economy, hundreds of thousands of jobs would never have been created, Welsh hospitals would lack treatment options, many companies would take their “capitalist” companies to a country that actually wants profit seeking organisations.
Seriously, who comes up with this stuff? After many attempts Capitalism remains the undisputed engine of growth & advancement.