Leanne Wood’s campaign to lead Plaid Cymru has inspired a number of poets, with Dewi Prysor, Mike Jenkins, Catrin Dafydd and Iwan Rhys announcing their support for her.
Poet Iwan Rhys, who lives in Holyhead, composed this poem to reflect the spirit and passion of Leanne Wood’s leadership campaign:
Leanne, rhaid mynd amdani – ac uno’r
genedl; bydd â’i hegni’n
arweinydd eiddgar inni.
Leanne Wood – ymlaen â ni!
Author and poet Catrin Dafydd said:
“Choosing the next leader of Plaid Cymru is a great responsibility. In light of the massive constitutional changes afoot in the United Kingdom and the economic situation that places our communities under siege, the national movement needs a leader who can set the agenda for Wales. Over the next few years, we will need a leader who is able to take us on the next steps towards real independence. A leader who can appeal to people the length and breadth of Wales, and ensure that we improve our economy. Leanne Wood has the vision to take us forward. We have already seen that she has the ability to unite and inspire Plaid Cymru member. She is also breaking new ground as unions and new members alike pledge their support for Plaid for the very first time.
“Wales has a long and honourable tradition of caring for the community as a whole, and Leanne’s vision is based on that principle. She has radical, home-grown ideas for improving Wales’ economy. Her inspirational ‘Greenprint’ goes to the heart of Plaid Cymru’s economic vision: showing how we can create permanent and sustainable jobs in our communities by establishing co-operative enterprises, supporting Welsh business, and making the most of our natural resources. Such economic models can be seen at work throughout the world, but Leanne has succeeded in making them relevant to Wales, showing us how our own communities could thrive economically. Protecting Welsh as a community language and ensuring social justice are integral to her vision of a truly independent Wales, and she wants us all to play our part. Electing Leanne Wood as leader of Plaid Cymru could be an historic turning point for the national movement.”
Mike Jenkins from Merthyr Tudful said of Leanne’s campaign:
“As a writer I am very excited by Leanne Wood’s practical yet imaginative vision for a very different Wales: a unique combination of sustainability and socialism to counter the negativity of austere policies.”
Among high profile party members that have declared their support for Leanne Wood are former Plaid President Dafydd Iwan, MP Jonathan Edwards, ex- MP Adam Price. Assembly Members Bethan Jenkins and Lindsay Whittle, former Plaid chief executive Gwenllian Lansdown Davies, the Plaid leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council Allan Pritchard and harpist Elinor Bennett Wigley have also backed the Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales Central’s leadership bid.
Leanne Wood also received the most nominations – 14 – from constituencies and branches across Wales for her leadership bid.
Further information on Leanne’s campaign can be found on her website at www.leannewood2012.com
