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Price aims broadside at corruption and incompetence at Westminster

08 May 2021 2 minute read
Adam Price, Plaid Cymru leader, who held the Carmarthen East and Dinefwr seat. Photo by Richard Youle

Richard Youle, local democracy reporter

Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price blasted Westminster for “corruption, incompetence and elitism” after romping to victory in Carmarthen East and Dinefwr yesterday.

On a disappointing night for the party, which saw former leader Leanne Wood defeated in Rhondda, Mr Price defended his Senedd seat, winning with over 49% of the vote.

The seat has been won by Plaid since 1999, with incumbent and former MP Mr Price serving since 2016 and, before that, Rhodri Glyn Thomas represented the constituency in the Assembly.

In a rousing victory speech, Mr Price said he had never felt as positive as he did now for the future of Wales.

Self-confidence

Wales, he said, was on the move and on the march, judging by conversations he had had with voters. There was, he said, a rising self-confidence.

But he also reflected on persistent inequality and poverty.

“The answers won’t come from Westminster,” said Mr Price.

He claimed there was “corruption, incompetence and elitism” in Westminster.

“We will never be a priority for them.”

He added: “There is nothing inevitable about the problems we face as a nation. We have got to take the future into our own hands – that was the positive message at the heart of our campaign.
“My message to 16 and 17-year-olds is, don’t give up hope.

“We made progress in this election. Why? Because we made independence the main question.”

Before Thursday’s election, Carmarthen-born Mr Price said he would focus on getting broadband speeds, better access to housing, better transport links by road and rail, and council tax reform.

Full results:

Carmarthen East and Dinefwr result…
Adam Price (Plaid Cymru) 15,261
Rob James (Labour) 8,448
Havard Hughes (Conservative) 7,751
Monica French (Lib-Dem) 975
Karl Pollard (Reform UK) 818

Turnout 56.5%


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Morris Dean
Morris Dean
3 years ago

Adam seems to be ignoring the elephant in the room that everyone else sees. Why is it that under his leadership, with #IndyWales being more popular than ever, Plaid haven’t moved anywhere?

Could the rumours about dysfunction in his internal leadership style and management be true? Richard Wyn Jones – and a number of other commentators such as Vaughan Roderick – have pointed to this a number of times over the past few days.

Tim
Tim
3 years ago
Reply to  Morris Dean

You don’t appear to understand that this was the Coronavirus election Morris – wakey wakey !

Andrew Robinson-Redman
Andrew Robinson-Redman
3 years ago
Reply to  Tim

Every party was impacted by Coronavirus. Why did it have more of a negative impact on Plaid than any other party?

Patricia Breckman
Patricia Breckman
3 years ago

‘Corruption incompetence & elitism’ If Westminster can be blasted with accusations of corruption, then Plaid Cymru members cannot turn a blind eye any longer to the corruption within its own Council, Carmarthen Council. Adam Price has stated “in all my years in public life, and having to deal with thousands of cases, this is the most troubling”. This refers to my case and the corruption which exists within Carmarthen Council’s’ planning department which has totally destroyed my life, my plans for my future and the now the loss of my home. I have paid a price that is unimaginable for… Read more »

Morris Dean
Morris Dean
3 years ago

Tim’s argument doesn’t stack up. If it Covid impacted Plaid so badly, what’s the reason for the Greens recording their best ever result?

It also doesn’t explain the consistent messaging from political commentators about something not being right with the party machinery.

Patricia Breckman
Patricia Breckman
3 years ago

Patricia Breckman 1 hour ago Reply to Andrew Robinson-Redman ‘Corruption incompetence & elitism’ If Westminster can be blasted with accusations of corruption, then Plaid Cymru members cannot turn a blind eye any longer to the corruption within its own Council, Carmarthen Council. Adam Price has stated “in all my years in public life, and having to deal with thousands of cases, this is the most troubling”. This refers to my case and the corruption which exists within Carmarthen Council’s’ planning department which has totally destroyed my life, my plans for my future and the now the loss of my home.… Read more »

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