Plaid Cymru Westminster leader backs Adam Price in party leadership election

The Leader of Plaid Cymru’s Westminster Group, Liz Saville Roberts MP, and neighbouring constituency MP, Hywel Williams, have today endorsed Adam Price to be the new leader of the party.

Writing a joint statement, the Gwynedd MPs said “Adam showed from the very start that he had the bravery and the vision one day to lead our party – that day has come.”

Outlining the reasons behind their endorsement, Liz Saville Roberts and Hywel Williams called on fellow party members to also support Price.

Their announcement comes on the day party members will be gathering for the first of eight husting events across Wales.

Members will have the opportunity to listen to and question the three leadership candidates in Pontypridd tonight.

Adam Price has now secured the endorsement of 3 of the party’s 4 MPs, with Jonathan Edwards MP having already announced his support for his Carmarthenshire colleague.

“Adam has a detailed understanding and knowledge of the long-term economic problems which afflict us and striking proposals for regeneration,” Liz Saville Roberts MP and Hywel Williams MP said in a joint statement.

“Electing him as Leader of Plaid Cymru and then as First Minister would release the political paralysis which has caused our people such suffering for so long.

“Adam has proved his profound commitment to the Welsh language, a commitment which is founded in his personal background and which has been strengthened over decades of argument and campaigning. He also sees the essential link between winning language justice and justice for all the diverse people of Wales.

“As an orator and communicator, he has the ability and the confidence to convey complex ideas in a way which is both understandable and exciting. And he stands full-square in the tradition of thinker-leaders who have been essential to the growth and success of Plaid Cymru from the very start.

“We are proud that our party has people of such calibre as the three candidates. Undoubtedly the other two have a further huge contribution to make.  But in a period of such tumult and danger for our nation, we believe that it is Adam who has the outstanding vision and the ability to lead.

“We are pleased to announce our support for Adam Price as the next leader of Plaid Cymru, and call on our fellow members also to support him.”

‘Credible’

Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru’s former MP and leader in Westminster, Elfyn Llwyd, has pledged his support for Rhun ap Iorwerth to become the party’s next leader.

Elfyn Llwyd served as a Plaid Cymru Member of Parliament between 1992 and 2015, and was the party’s Westminster parliamentary group leader for 17 years.

“Whilst accepting that the three candidates are worthy, I believe that Rhun is a credible candidate to be First Minister, and  the right person to ensure that Plaid Cymru moves forward and succeeds in the next election,” he said.

“Having had the pleasure of campaigning with Rhun over the years, I cannot emphasise his connection on the doorstep – he’s great with people and is a good listener – and has the essential qualities to unite and mobilise our membership.

“Undoubtedly, Rhun’s appeal is equally as strong in the South Wales Valleys as it is in North and Mid Wales. He also understands the great challenges that face our rural communities over the coming years, whilst also aware of the challenges facing our urban areas, having spent most of his working life based in Cardiff, as well as in London.

“I believe that changes need to happen within the party ahead of the next election, and Rhun is in an excellent position to take the party forward, and lead the talented team of AMs that we have in the Senedd.

“Plaid Cymru needs a new leader, and Wales needs Rhun.”