THREAD:
1)
Today I have sent a letter to Plaid Cymru outlining my concerns for the future of the Party and how I believe that the vision currently endorsed by Plaid is not a realistic outlook if they want to have success in the future and win in General & Assembly elections.
1)
Today I have sent a letter to Plaid Cymru outlining my concerns for the future of the Party and how I believe that the vision currently endorsed by Plaid is not a realistic outlook if they want to have success in the future and win in General & Assembly elections.
2)
I have been concerned for quite a while that Plaid have been going too far to the left and that with the rise of old-school socialism in Labour under Jeremy Corbyn will only lead to the party being squashed in elections and the very likely loss of MPs and AMs as a result.
I have been concerned for quite a while that Plaid have been going too far to the left and that with the rise of old-school socialism in Labour under Jeremy Corbyn will only lead to the party being squashed in elections and the very likely loss of MPs and AMs as a result.
3)
By positioning themselves to the left of the Labour Party, they are cutting themselves off from the wider Welsh electorate & that with the leftwards shift of Labour, they will be overshadowed each time at the ballot box, allowing for continuous unopposed Labour rule in Wales.
By positioning themselves to the left of the Labour Party, they are cutting themselves off from the wider Welsh electorate & that with the leftwards shift of Labour, they will be overshadowed each time at the ballot box, allowing for continuous unopposed Labour rule in Wales.
4)
My proposal is that the party shift towards the centre ground of politics before the Lib Dems have a chance to reform in Wales and have referred to other examples of political parties that have been in office doing the same (Junts per Catalunya, Libéral in Canada and the SNP).
My proposal is that the party shift towards the centre ground of politics before the Lib Dems have a chance to reform in Wales and have referred to other examples of political parties that have been in office doing the same (Junts per Catalunya, Libéral in Canada and the SNP).
5)
Whilst I welcome to initiative of Leanne Wood touring Wales to promote her vision for Wales, I want to know to what effect it is having on Plaid. I have asked before about membership figures but got no response. I believe a substantial membership drive is needed.
Whilst I welcome to initiative of Leanne Wood touring Wales to promote her vision for Wales, I want to know to what effect it is having on Plaid. I have asked before about membership figures but got no response. I believe a substantial membership drive is needed.
6)
This is quite important as articles in newspapers have surfaced of the Tories preparing for a possible snap GE later this year. With Wales going back to 2 party politics in 2017, the next GE will be very difficult for Plaid - do they have the funds etc.?
This is quite important as articles in newspapers have surfaced of the Tories preparing for a possible snap GE later this year. With Wales going back to 2 party politics in 2017, the next GE will be very difficult for Plaid - do they have the funds etc.?
7)
Only an ideological shift in Plaid can reverse the fortunes of the party as they can then appeal to a wider audience and spread the message of a civic nationalism and the idea of independence. With Labour selling Wales out and Tories messing up Brexit, Wales needs a voice.
Only an ideological shift in Plaid can reverse the fortunes of the party as they can then appeal to a wider audience and spread the message of a civic nationalism and the idea of independence. With Labour selling Wales out and Tories messing up Brexit, Wales needs a voice.
8)
I want to see success for Plaid and for them to get into Government but it will be unrealistic as an aim as they are cutting themselves short by only catering to an eco-socialist vision in the south of Wales and not addressing the wider national picture.
I want to see success for Plaid and for them to get into Government but it will be unrealistic as an aim as they are cutting themselves short by only catering to an eco-socialist vision in the south of Wales and not addressing the wider national picture.
9)
Having a more centrist vision was prevalent in the party through the 90s and early 00s when Plaid had their biggest success. It was done though selling the positive nationalist vision for Wales but soon the left took over and has kept marching left ever since.
Having a more centrist vision was prevalent in the party through the 90s and early 00s when Plaid had their biggest success. It was done though selling the positive nationalist vision for Wales but soon the left took over and has kept marching left ever since.
10)
Whilst the environment is important, Plaid is the Party of Wales and that is their USP, they must sell their vision much wider and tap into the common feeling of Welshness that unites us as a Nation and that our country can be successful as an independent nation.
Whilst the environment is important, Plaid is the Party of Wales and that is their USP, they must sell their vision much wider and tap into the common feeling of Welshness that unites us as a Nation and that our country can be successful as an independent nation.
11)
Due to its march left, the green lines of plaid & red lines of Labour have blurred in recent years and I feel the party is far too accepting of the Labour government, hence the nickname 'Labour's lackeys'. I fear Plaid is only happy in opposition and doesn't want government.
Due to its march left, the green lines of plaid & red lines of Labour have blurred in recent years and I feel the party is far too accepting of the Labour government, hence the nickname 'Labour's lackeys'. I fear Plaid is only happy in opposition and doesn't want government.
12)
Plaid must also combat the myth that you can only vote for Plaid if you are a Welsh speaker. I am not a Welsh speaker (but learner) and support Plaid because I believe in Wales and that the Unionist parties are nothing more than branch parties dictating London's wishes.
Plaid must also combat the myth that you can only vote for Plaid if you are a Welsh speaker. I am not a Welsh speaker (but learner) and support Plaid because I believe in Wales and that the Unionist parties are nothing more than branch parties dictating London's wishes.
13)
This can be seen by a higher support for Plaid in the Welsh speaking areas. Plaid must focus its attention on the English speaking S & NE of Wales, where Labour rule almost unopposed. Leanne's victory in 2016 shows it can be achieved & effort must start there now for 2021.
This can be seen by a higher support for Plaid in the Welsh speaking areas. Plaid must focus its attention on the English speaking S & NE of Wales, where Labour rule almost unopposed. Leanne's victory in 2016 shows it can be achieved & effort must start there now for 2021.
14)
That is why I'm calling on anyone who believe in Wales to support & vote Plaid Cymru. With Labour selling Welsh powers down the river to London & Tories messing up Brexit, neither can be trusted to speak up for Wales.
Plaid's time is NOW!
Dros Gymru. For Wales.
~~ENDS~~
That is why I'm calling on anyone who believe in Wales to support & vote Plaid Cymru. With Labour selling Welsh powers down the river to London & Tories messing up Brexit, neither can be trusted to speak up for Wales.
Plaid's time is NOW!
Dros Gymru. For Wales.
~~ENDS~~
