THE second day of Plaid Cymru’s spring conference saw Brexit take centre stage.

Among those to speak on the second day of the conference in Bangor yesterday was newly-appointed South Wales East AM Delyth Jewell.

Ms Jewell, who was appointed to the role last month following the death of Steffan Lewis, hailed her Gwent background, saying: “We are proud in our small corner of our rich, rebellious history.

“I want us to be every bit as proud of where we’re headed.

“Because, I feel like I can do anything.

“I am from the land of the heroes of the Merthyr Rising. And, I am from the land of Steffan Lewis.”

South Wales Argus:

Delyth Jewell speaking at the Plaid Cymru conference

She also added her voice to those calling for a so-called ‘people’s vote’ on the UK’s membership of the European Union.

“The British state is humiliated,” she said. “Its emperor has no clothes, but stands starkly, utterly naked, rambling in a soggy field, with only a tattered union flag for its modesty.”

Ms Jewell also spoke about her new role as Plaid Cymru’s shadow minister for the future. The role was announced by party leader Adam Price on Friday, and gives Ms Jewell responsibility for ensuring work done by the party addresses not only challenges of the present day, but will also be beneficial in the future.

Speaking to the conference Ms Jewell said: “It is up to us to determine what kind of Wales we want to be.

"Plaid Cymru is the party of the future. Which is why I’m delighted to be appointed by our leader Adam Price as our party’s shadow minister for the future.

“This will mean that the incoming Plaid Cymru government in 2021 will have a minister at the heart of government tasked with taking the long view, so that our children and grandchildren’s welfare is given central consideration when decisions are being taken. I will make sure that their inheritance - the Welsh nation - is nurtured and protected.”

Although Ms Jewell's new role is entitled shadow minister, there is no equivalent position in Labour's Welsh Government cabinet.

Meanwhile, with the future of the UK's membership of the European Union still uncertain, Plaid Cymru reached out the hand of friendship and solidarity with other groups fighting for independence across Europe.

Plaid Cymru is represented on the European Free Alliance (EFA) - a federation of political parties and groups fighting for regional or national independence - by MEP Jill Evans.

And representatives from the group spoke at Plaid's conference on Saturday.

South Wales Argus:

A parade of nations and regions fighting for thier own independence at the Plaid conference

Among them was secretary-general Jordi Solé, who is from Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, whose leader Oriol Junqueras is currently in prison on charges related to the Catalonian independence referendum in October 2017.

He warned the turmoil in Catalonia could be repeated elsewhere in the world.

"Those who think this is just an internal matter, they must know they could be next," he said.

“What we are doing in Catalonia is not fighting for self-determination, we are defending democracy.”

He added: “If you have to go if Brexit happens, then we want you back as soon as possible as an independent state.”

Closing, Mr Solé said: “I wish you the best for a better, independent Wales. You know you can count on us.”

Vice president of the EFA Marta Bainka also spoke, and said: “It’s all of the stateless nations here with you today, keeping their fingers crossed. I am sure we will all be here in 2021, we believe in your success.”

She added: “We are all Europe, all of us, all the stateless nations, we are Europe.”

The discussion ended with a parade of flags from groups and parties fighting for independence in Europe.

Others to speak on the second day of the conference included former party leader Leanne Wood, who opened her speech paying tribute to Steffan Lewis, and said the party had to embrace green energy for Wales’ future.

“A well governed Wales is a green and independent Wales,” she said. “In the times we live in the two have to be inseparable.”

Ms Wood also paid tribute to young people who had taken part in anti climate-change protests, saying: “I applaud them. With young and energetic people at the vanguard of a burgeoning environmental movement, there is a chance that the future may not be so bleak after all.”

Meanwhile Mid and West Wales AM Helen Mary Jones announced a series of new health policies, including giving communities powers to limit the number of fast food outlets in the areas, introducing a clean air act and encouraging physical activity in schools.

The second day of the conference also included a discussion of the benefits of gender equality, speeches by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones, the party’s leader in Westminster Liz Saville Roberts and Arfon MP Hywel Williams.

Deputy leader Rhun ap Iorweth gave the closing address, saying: “It is time for Plaid Cymru, and never have I felt more proud to be part of a party that is fighting for Wales’ interests.”

He added: “Never before has Wales needed Plaid Cymru more than now. I truly believe that.”

The conference ended with the national anthem.

For a report of the first day of the spring conference click here.