Spring 2015
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The Welsh Nation An unprecedented opportunity for Wales Leanne Wood AM, Leader of Plaid Cymru – the Party of Wales
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s I travel around our country supporting our teams in this election campaign, what is striking above all else is the enthusiasm and dedication of so many party activists. Polling Day is beckoning and I am convinced that returning our biggest ever team of MPs to Westminster is an outcome that is in our hands. The party has such a strong and talented slate of candidates and every one of them would make outstanding community champions for their constituencies. Our strength is in our local activity. When we are at our best, no party can compete with us. The strength of Plaid Cymru is in our dedication, commitment and hard work in the communities of our country. So much is at stake at this election and the more people we speak to, the more they will see the real choice that faces them. Increasingly, people are seeing through the similarities, the false choice presented by the four shades of Westminster grey. Plaid Cymru stands on a platform of opposition to further damaging austerity. A platform that seeks permanent economic rebalancing in the UK – moving away from the discredited financial sector in the City of London and in favour of new industries in areas that have been neglected by successive UK administrations. We want to see a permanent effort to close the UK’s inequality gap. Only the Party of Wales stands for meaningful self-government for Wales – home rule which should mean at least parity with Scotland, not just limited to responsibilities but to resources too.
It is likely that the next election will result in a hung parliament. Few took us seriously when we suggested this as a possible outcome in 2010, but we were proved right. Now the likelihood of this outcome is more accepted this time around, we’re able to tell people the priorities Plaid Cymru will demand. Let us not underestimate what we could achieve for our country with that outcome. Securing home rule for Wales and parity in terms of resources will mean a Plaid Cymru government from 2016 will have an unprecedented opportunity to transform the economic, social and political prospects of Wales. In the wider historical context, it means Wales, growing in political maturity and confidence will be
one step away from emerging as an independent country. Wales can emerge from the shadows at this election provided Plaid Cymru can deliver its best performance ever. I thank you for all your hard work to date and ask you that you redouble your efforts in the cause of our party and country. The national office can put you in touch with your local team and I know that they will be grateful for any support you can give. No contribution is too little and any contribution can help us achieve something truly remarkable. Let’s all get behind our team of candidates for the final push. Ymlaen!