Plaid Cymru taking Electoral Commission to court over name of McEvoy’s Welsh National Party
Plaid Cymru are preparing to take the Electoral Commission to court over their decision to register the name of former Plaid AM Neil McEvoy’s new Welsh National Party.
Plaid Cymru are calling on the commission to revoke the registration of the name Welsh National Party or complete a further review of the registration process.
In February the Electoral Commission decided not to allow the Welsh National Party to use the Welsh-language name Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru.
It decided that the Welsh language name, despite being a direct translation, was too close to the name of the already-existing parties and could confuse voters.
But Plaid Cymru is now asking why the Electoral Commission allowed the Welsh National Party to use the English name.
A source said it did not make sense to keep the English language registration having rejected translation.
Plaid Cymru are also concerned that the Welsh language name ‘Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru’ would come into common use as a direct translation despite the Electoral Commission’s decision not to officially validate it.
Neil McEvoy was originally elected for Plaid Cymru to represent the South Wales Central region in 2016 before being expelled in 2017. He withdrew his application to re-join Plaid Cymru in July of last year and registered the new Welsh National Party in January of this year.
‘Ill-judged’
In response, a spokesperson for the Welsh National Party said that Plaid Cyru were simply trying to “save their own political skins”.
“The fact is that the Electoral Commission has already accepted the Welsh National Party as our name, which was further confirmed after an official review,” the spokesperson said.
“Now we have a WNP Assembly Member in the National Assembly and Councillors in the north and south of Wales. People across the country are joining our exciting new political movement, which is the breath of fresh air Wales needed.
“The simple truth is Plaid Cymru makes a habit of trying to close the stable door after the horse has bolted and is doing so once again.
“This ill-judged court application is proof of panic amongst Plaid Cymru AMs, who prior to the WNP, had enjoyed a cosy existence in the Bubble, acting as Labour’s little helpers. But now there’s a new national Party in Wales that will not be pushed around.
“Having already been fined £29,000 by the Electoral Commission for not properly declaring its donations, Plaid wants to risk even more of its members’ money taking the Electoral Commission to court. Rather than obsessing over what the WNP is doing, the best thing Plaid Cymru can do is to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.”
‘Regret’
The Chair of Plaid Cymru, Alun Ffred Jones, emailed the party’s supporters with the following message:
“For nearly a century, Plaid Cymru has stood out in our nation’s history as Wales’s national party,” he said.
“Recently, a new party has been formed under the name “Welsh National Party / Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru” and has received Electoral Commission approval to register the name.
“Plaid Cymru has received legal advice which has led us to challenge the Electoral Commission’s decision which, to our minds, has been reached as a result of flawed and unlawful processes.
“For example, it appears that the Electoral Commission failed to consider Wales’ linguistic status nor the fact that it is impossible to register a name in English without that leading to the use of the corresponding Welsh translation.
“The timing is a matter of regret given the circumstances of the Coronavirus crisis, but this was a factor beyond our control due to the requirement that the process must commence within a strict time limit.
“Plaid Cymru will always protect the interests of our movement, including its historic name and its significance.
“We are confident that the Electoral Commission will reserve this decision and in the meantime, we will continue to focus our energies on supporting our communities and putting forward bold ideas for how to respond to the current crisis.”
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Grabs popcorn
Reading too much Breitbart?
Would someone please knock these 2 numties heads together? so they get on with the job. If they cant stand shoulder to shoulder, maybe back to back. They are wasting fire on each other.
That’s a very unfair criticism Vicky. We are getting on with developing the WNP and Plaid has gone to law. Plaid simply has no presence in most communities in Wales. The WNP is filling the vacuum. Frankly, in most areas Plaid is of no at all relevant to us. Insulting personal attacks, fake profiles on social media created by Plaid’s chief strategist and now judicial review! Whilst all this is happening, we have quietly got on with growing the WNP. Please leave us out of the firing line.
Keep going Neil! You’re the only one talking any sense.
Fantastic comments on this article, had no idea you had so much support Neil, I felt a lone voice. The barbs in your article ‘stay home’ and ‘labour’s little helpers’ are childish, you need to keep above your attackers who sadly have stabbed themselves in the chest here, life of Brian style.
Neil, your party and Plaid need to work together – we can not show any sign of weakness to Westminster – United we will succeed – fighting against each other we will fail.
Good advice, but it should be addressed to Plaid Cymru, surely. To be honest, though, I’m not sure if the WNP want to be tainted by association with Plaid at the moment, in the light of the Plaid hierarchy’s current disinclination to fight for Wales in the open field. Many members and representatives on a local level are, however, committed to defending Cymru’s interests, so a unity of purpose with other indy-supporting parties might emerge in the fullness of time. But bear in mind that the influence of the Leanne Wood faction is still very strong, so don’t hold your… Read more »
I know what you mean and my criticism was not directed at any individual or party. It’s just very frustating that at the very moment the fight for independence is gaining some sort of momentum – fighting amongst ourselves has taken over. That has to stop.
You know well Vicky that leading Plaid figures set out to exclude McEvoy, changing the Party’s rules based on tolerance and fairness in the process. You remember Plaid AMs attacking him in public, contrary to rule, but never disciplined by Leanne. There was a chance that Adam as Leader would break with that. Once the party machine manipulated the re-election of the old chairman with that astonishing and unexplained 600 votes, Adam’s freedom to act was constrained.
Thank you Max.
Some members of PC went through a terrible time. Personally the treatment put a great strain on me.
Once I split from PC I felt great relief.
The WNP has done nothing but look forward. It is now obvious that PC cannot draw a line under the past, still looking backwards… not progressive at all.
Many members of Plaid Cymru have been through a terrible time because of Neil and his supporters, Andrea. I’m one of them, and almost left the party because of him. I know scores of activists in Cardiff who had simply had enough by the end. I have it on good authority that area group meetings were extremely uncomfortable if you didn’t agree with Neil’s position – let alone the recent situation regarding Canton branch and the way that ended. I know long-standing activists who have been moved to tears because of threats and bullying behaviour. The truth is, if you… Read more »
I should also add that my mental health has never suffered more than when I had a disagreement with Neil, and the way he tried to take me down after that. And I’ve not had the easiest personal life over the past few years, so that’s saying a lot.
Plaid Cymru is now irrelevant in Cardiff. To think otherwise is a complete fantasy. It has barely any appeal other than to a very small core vote. It has no real organisation, structure or activist base. Plaid in Cardiff will continue to hold a few street stalls, BBQs and talk amongst themselves. It’s the Plaid way. You mention your experience. Well, let me share mine. I was a loyal activist and gave a lot of my time to Plaid Cymru in the capital over the last 10+ years. The 2016 campaign was my first real experience of a political campaign… Read more »
The atmosphere in Cardiff West has been far better in recent months since the WNP breakaway. We’ve seen membership and attendance at meetings swell as members who had stayed away for years return to play an active role. You should come and see for yourself. We’re regularly meeting via zoom and you should be getting notifications and weekly comms via email. The McEvoy chapter is over and the the future for Plaid in Cardiff looks positive.
Michael Deem harassed a female staff member. He misused my budget. He secretly photographed a child protection file & kept the photos on his phone. He admitted being aggressive in the office to others. A member of the public complained about him bullying a co-worker. He lied about casework. I sacked him. He was strongly supported by Plaid Cymru. Enough said.
My Anne Greagsby also went through a harassing time when she moved from Cardiff West, in part because the Penarth Branch suspected her for supporting McEvoy’s public campaigning style. In part because Gareth Clubb and his clique started disciplinary action – though they lost, they refused to accept it and build bridges. A pity that no-one saw what Gareth was doing back then, Alun Ffred instead supporting him and fostering central control.
I completely agree – this is no way to gain independence. It’s plain stupid.
Being attacked by Plaid must, in the words of Dennis Healey, be like “being savaged by a dead sheep”.
I know they are still hanging around in the background like distant relatives at a funeral but if you want dynamism and coherent economic policies not sentimental slogans and waffle Plaid don’t seem to be the place to look.
Let the new guys on the block have a go, subject them to some hard analysis and see how they shape.
Wow I actually agree with you for once
Well said. I remember Healey in his prime. Don’t think I agreed with him on much at all but his comment about Howe was out of the top drawer for put-downs. I referred to Plaid some years ago as the “corpse in our chair”, that nationalists needed a party that wasn’t going to its focus be diverted consistently. Well nothing has changed, so give McEvoy’s group, and the Gwlad group, a chance wherever they have a presence. Some Plaid representatives, like the 4 in Westminster, will still attract a good following but there are elements at Y Cynulliad who have… Read more »
Plaid Cymru has finally lost the plot. Becoming less and less relevant, lacking policy, organisation, leadership and indeed integrity, it is now kicking out like a spoiled child.
Grow up!
It’s a pity Plaid didn’t attack our complacent and incompetent Welsh Labour government with the same vigour they reserve for Neil McEvoy.
Hear! Hear! A thousand times!
Doesn’t strike me as a particularly prudent move on Plaid’s part, because it’ll make the party look spiteful and pettifogging, akin to the bickering rivalry between the People’s Front of Judea and the Judean Peoples’s Front so superbly satirized in the Monty Python ‘Life of Brian’ – itself a skit on the propensity, back in the ’70s, for small left-wing factions at home and abroad to make themselves look ludicrous to outsiders by indulging in similar antics. When Plaid objected to the WNP’s proposition that their name in the Welsh language should be a straight translation of their name in… Read more »
The ‘Judean’ analogy is a good one. Let’s see who turns out to be ‘Biggus Diccus’.
I made exactly the same comment about a month ago and it got taken down! Perhaps because I quoted directly from the film the moderator didn’t like the language.
I always thought it should have been Mentula Magna. Or μεγάλο πέος. Or even something like ביג פין …
But then I doubt my pedantry would appeal to the widest audience!
Showin’ off now, John.
He’s got that new Asus Aristotle model.
Well, since Bunter does it, I don’t see why I shouldn’t try and top him!!
He’s not showing off, he’s a very naughty boy.
Droll, very droll m’lud.
This is the final straw for me, Plaids empty gestures and now this pettiness has done it, I’ve cancelled my membership. Looking forward to when we have our WNP candidate for Pembs.
This is pathetic. To me the name Welsh National Party sounds far more appealing to the general public than Plaid Cymru. Look at the SNP for example.
It may appeal to eastern working people, apart from Wrecsam where Plaid’s profile is “feet on the ground”. But
Deeside looks promising, and Newport?
Humph, you may rest assured that whenever I criticise Plaid Cymru, I’m leaving Plaid Wrecsam out of it, and indeed any other more commendable local parties. It’s the decision-makers among the top echelons who let the side down.
What on earth are the Plaid Cymru leadership playing at? I think they have two motives for doing this. Firstly, they are trying to regain their monopoly as the only Wales-focused party (a position they enjoyed until the birth of Gwlad, Gwlad), and secondly they are having one last go at emasculating Neil McEvoy, whom they have so far failed to destroy politically. This latest attempt is both contemptible and sad. Plaid have enjoyed a comfortable existence as occasional participants in colonial management while simultaneously trying to re-invent themselves as a London-style woke party in a forlorn attempt to garner… Read more »
Agree bigly. Just when Bojo’s mob are are at 60% covid dssaproval, Plaid drop their New Left Review magazines
and have a pop at WNP. Oh btw, have a good May 1st!
Hi Neil. Why not try PARTI GENEDLAETHOL CYMRU? May not appeal to the purists but it works for me. Anyway good luck for the future
The Welsh National Party made a proper application to the Electoral Commission and this was displayed on the EC website for some time and the time to make a comment or complaint to the electoral Commission was at that point. Its not free, fees are paid for the privileged and annual registration fees demanded as long as the party is registered.The EC ‘s job, in part, is to prevent voter confusion from names which are too similar. Plaid’s late in the day decision to object to this name is curious. They are not bothered about other Welsh Party names and… Read more »
In answer to your question at close ……. it indicates insecurity, arrogance, a sense of entitlement and a growing sense that the whole shed is about to cave in on top of them, and about time too.
Plaid Cymru has not used the name ‘Welsh National Party” since the Second World War nor had it registered that name or its translation with the Electoral Commission Members of Plaid may wonder how much more time and money the party is going to waste in its vendetta against Neil mcEvoy.
Plaid Cymru are beyond pathetic now.
They are clearly scared of McEvoy’s broad appeal and earthy character. He was the one who got people out of areas like Ely and Fairwater to vote for Plaid but he’s not a Leannista/Bethan Jenkins Chips SayedXYZ sort so he had to go.
I dare say many more councillors will be joining him. Plaid Cymru simply doesn’t care for Welsh people anymore, instead prioritising those from elsewhere with their nation of sanctuary nonsense.
Pob lwc Neil!
A racial slur directed at bethan sayed and a tommy robinson-esque dig at plaid’s honourable support for people finding sanctuary in wales from persecution. I’d be very concerned if you are an example of the WNP membership.
What was the racial slur, exactly? Ydy o’r gair Sglodion? Sorry if I’m being thick.
Waste of members’ money. The words Plaid and Cymru, Party and Wales are used by a number of other registered entities. Plaid Cymru’s USP is that it uses those two words exclusively. National and Cenedlaethol are not and never have been registered by Plaid Cymru.
This just seems like hubris on Plaid’s part. Shades of Daffyd Thomas ‘I am the only nationalist in THIS village’. What next ‘YOU are not a Nationalist. You’re just a little bit Welshie’
This is a pointless exercise and indicates a lack of perspective and priorities. For example, we are approaching 1,000 deaths from Covid 19 infection. Its likely effect on our economy is potentially devastating. Meanwhile, Plaid has allowed a member with disturbing anti Semitic views to rejoin the party after a ‘slap on the wrist’. Another member remains on the National Executive despite a blatant effort at entryism to get aforesaid above member to be a Plaid candidate in next year’s Senedd election. I have not received a response from Chair Alun Ffred to my formal complaint regarding this issue and… Read more »
The optics on this are truly dire for Plaid. It’s just not that this court case will go ahead in the middle of the covid 19 crisis. But the fact that Plaid are hoping to persuade the High Court in England to nobble another nationalist party in Wales. Surely, it should be the court of public opinion here in Wales next year that should decide upon the relative merits pf Plaid Cymru versus WNP and GWLAD for that matter? Once again, it appears that ordinary members were not involved in this decision at all. A small cabal in Plaid are… Read more »
It would make sense if the WNP had an official Welsh language name e.g. Plaid Genedlaethol Cymreig. Someone else has suggested using the word ‘parti’. Either way it needs a Welsh Language name to meet the Welsh Language standards, Otherwise public usage and translators will decide the name . Surely Welsh speakers will be able to tell the parties apart if at least one of the words is different. It wont matter in English as Plaid Cymru uses Party of Wales which can hardly be confused with WNP.
Plaid Genedlaethol Cymreig — I like that.
Come on – we are not far from achieving self determination – let’s not screw it up fighting each other.
Why is Plaid so concerned about the New Party? Are they so concerned that they might lose support to a Party that does stand up to be counted, rather than criticising anyone that they don’t agree with? Surely this shows a lack of confidence in their own message?