Plaid Cymru sets sights on 2021 Assembly Election at spring conference

The two-day event in Bangor kicked off yesterday, Friday, with speeches and discussions from a range of prominent figures, including leader Adam Price.

And preparations for the next Assembly Election, due to be held on May 6, 2021, were a recurring theme, with Mr Price invoking the spirit of Wales’ triumphant Six Nations team in his keynote speech.

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“The new Wales we’re fighting for is one that is self-confident, optimistic, ambitious, dynamic,” he said. “To get there we need a bit of Warren Gatland’s spirit.

“As well as having a rugby team that’s forgotten how to lose, we need to be a nation that forgets how to lose.”

Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price speaking at the party's 2019 spring conference

He added the party was “aiming for government in 2021 with every ounce of our energy, our determination, our intelligence”.

“2021 – the year of the next election – will be when the new Wales of this new millennium finally comes of age,” he said. “It’s time for that new Wales to take the reins.

“That has to be the choice, and the change we make – otherwise the new democracy we’ve been creating these last 20 years will wither.

“If we don’t kick away Labour’s grip on Wales we will continue with drift and mediocrity and our economy and culture will be stifled, and hope itself will begin to die.”

Among the policy announcements he made in his speech were that Plaid Cymru would create a Global Wales Agency responsible for trade and exports, lower VAT for the construction and tourism sectors, create a Patient Rights Act – modelled on a similar act already in place in Scotland – as well as introduce a National Care Service. A Plaid Cymru government would also request the devolution of Air Passenger Duty and migration policy, demand all Wales-made products are clearly marked with the Welsh flag and ultimately hold a referendum on whether Wales should rejoin the EU as an independent nation, Mr Price said.

Making his first spring conference speech as leader since unseating Leanne Wood in September 2018, Mr Price also announced he had appointed South Wales East AM Delyth Jewell – who was appointed in February following the death of Steffan Lewis – as the new shadow minister for the future.

And he also used his speech to pay a personal tribute to Mr Lewis, who died in January, aged 34.

Former South Wales East AM Steffan Lewis

Saying “his influence was immense”, Mr Price particularly hailed Mr Lewis’ role in the development of the Welsh Government’s EU Continuity Act.

“That is just part of Steffan’s legacy,” he said. “It will stand as an inspiration to us every step we take until we claim our freedom in his name, for (Mr Lewis’ son) Celyn and all our children’s sake.”

Mr Price also said he was optimistic about Plaid's chances in the Newport West by-election on April 4.

"We have a superb candidate in Jonathan Clark who has already fought three general elections and two Senedd elections for us," he said.

Plaid Cymru candidate for Newport West Jonathan Clark

"He has a great team around him and the response on the doorstep is very positive. I know - I’ve been there twice already.

"I urge you all to get along to Newport in the next two weeks. It’s an exhilarating experience.

"What I’m absolutely sure of is this - Newport West will show that, as Leanne (Wood) has demonstrated in the Rhondda, there is no part of Wales where Plaid cannot make progress."

Brexit was also a recurring theme at the conference, with AMs, councillors, members and supporters united in their disbelief at the handling of the process by Westminster and their support of a second referendum.

Plaid MEP Jill Evans also spoke at the conference. Although she said it was possible this would be her final speech as an MEP, she added she was prepared to stand again if the UK does end up holding European Elections in May.

MEP Jill Evans speaking at the 2019 Plaid Cymru spring conference

“Wales does not belong on the sidelines,” she said. “Wales, like every other European nation, should take its place at the centre - helping to build another Europe, a Europe of equality, democracy and justice.”

Former deputy leader of the Scottish National Party Angus Robertson, who has been carrying out a review into the way Plaid conducts election campaigns, also spoke yesterday, saying he was confident the party would come out on top in 2021.

“We are not just sister parties, we have had similar experiences,” he said.

“Sometimes Plaid Cymru has been ahead of the SNP, sometimes the other way around.

“Having gone through that transition I can confidently say Plaid Cymru will win the next Welsh general election.”

Angus Robertson speaking at the 2019 Plaid Cymru spring conference

Mr Robertson also paid his own tribute to Mr Lewis, saying: "He was well known and respected in Scotland and his passing was too early, but he achieved so much."

Others to speak included North Wales AM Llyr Gruffydd and Arfon AM Sian Gwenllian, who said: “We can turn listening and warmth into thousands and thousands and thousands of votes to create a Plaid Cymru government.

“A government led by Plaid Cymru can create hope and make dreams come true.

The first day of the two-day conference also included discussions of recruitment of doctors and the role of community pharmacies, as well as fringe meetings on issues including housing, renewable energy, graduate jobs, and putting CPR on the national curriculum.

The conference continues today.