Plaid Cymru announce regional candidates for 2021 Senedd election

Plaid Cymru have announced their regional candidates ahead of the 2021 Senedd Election, following a ballot of members.

Cefin Campbell has taken the top spot on the mid and west Wales regional list, beating the incumbent Helen Mary Jones who is in second place.

Current polling suggests Plaid Cymru is on course for six regional Members of the Senedd in 2021, with two in North Wales, two in South Wales West, one in South Wales Central and one in South Wales East.

If correct that would mean that Llyr Gruffydd, Carrie Harper, Luke Fletcher, Sioned Williams, Rhys ab Owen and Delyth Jewell are elected.

The current projections, however, have Plaid Cymru set to capture Llanelli, Blaenau Gwent and Cardiff West. If they fail to do so they could also pick up additional seats, particularly in in Mid and West Wales.

The party currently has one regional seat in North Wales (Llyr Gruffydd), one in Mid and West Wales (Helen Mary Jones), one in South Wales Central (Neil McEvoy – who has left the party), one in South Wales East (Delyth Jewell) and two in South Wales West (Bethan Jenkins and Dai Lloyd).

Here are the 2021 Plaid Cymru regional lists:

North Wales

1. Llyr Gruffydd
2. Carrie Harper
3. Elin Walker Jones
4. Owen Hurcum

Mid and West Wales

1. Cefin Campbell
2. Helen Mary Jones
3. Rhys Thomas
4. Elwyn Vaughan

South Wales West

1. Luke Fletcher
2. Sioned Williams
3. John Davies
4. Jamie Evans

South Wales Central

1. Rhys ab Owen
2. Heledd Fychan
3. Fflur Elin
4. Sahar Al-Faifi

South Wales East

1. Delyth Jewell
2. Peredur Owen Griffiths
3. Lindsay Whittle
4. Rhys Mills

‘Inspired’

Plaid Cymru Leader Adam Price said he was thrilled to see such a “talented and dedicated” slate of candidates ready to work “tirelessly” over the coming months to change Wales for Good.

“I give my heartfelt thanks to all candidates and members who took part in our regional list selection process. It is thrilling to see such a talented and dedicated slate of candidates ready to work tirelessly over the coming months to change Wales for good,” he said.

“By utilising the talents and experiences of all our candidates, Plaid Cymru is ready to demonstrate what can be achieved by a committed and determined party of government with a radical imagination and the political will to carry it out.

“Many of us have been inspired by the language of build back better. But Plaid Cymru will lay the foundations of permanent change. Let us care, build and believe – in a good and better life for everyone. Let’s Change Wales for Good.”

Plaid Cymru Chair Alun Ffred Jones added that they were very fortunate to have candidates of “depth of talent, ability, and passion”.

“Standing for election is not done lightly and every candidate is fully deserving of our support as we endeavour to elect them to our Senedd,” he said.

“I’d like to thank each of the candidates for their energetic campaigns, their work, their commitment, and their contribution. Each of you has an important role to play as we build the new Wales.”

Labour

The Labour Party have also announced their regional candidates, although fewer are expected to be elected because of their dominance of the constituencies.

In 2016 they picked up two seats in Mid and West Wales, Joyce Watson and Eluned Morgan. The latest YouGov poll suggested they could win three in Mid and West Wales and two in North Wales.

Joyce Watson and Eluned Morgan on the Mid and West Wales list have reversed their positions on 2016. Ben Gwalchmai in fourth place becomes the first candidate to openly back Welsh independence.

Mid and West Wales

1. Eluned Morgan
2. Joyce Watson
3. Helen Taylor
4. Ben Gwalchmai

North Wales

1. Carolyn Thomas
2. Andy Short
3. Diane Green
4. Ryan O’Gorman

South Wales West

1. Sian James
2. Kevin Pascoe
3. Neelo Farr
4. Mahaboob Basha

South Wales Central

1. Ruba Sivcn
2. Dan De’Ath
3. Maliika Kaaba
4. Owain Williams

South Wales East

1. Helen Cunningham
2. Peter Jones
3. Mary Ann Brocklesby
4. Mabiid Rahman