Anglesey Show

Dafydd Iwan today joined Dylan Rees, Prospective Plaid Parliamentary Candidate for Ynys Mon, on the last stage of his protest walk around the post offices of Anglesey threatened with closure. They both arrived at the Anglesey Show in Mona where they were met by Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, AM for Ynys Mon, and a crowd of supporters.

Free Tibet

The opening of the Olympics was an opportune moment to restate my call for the right to self determination of the people of Tibet and an end to human rights abuses. The decision by the Chinese authorities to ban all flags of stateless nations is, of course, linked to the Tibet question. Welsh athletes should be able to fly the ddraig instead of the union jack, if they so choose. The only way to ensure they can in future is to have our own Welsh olympic team.

Jill Evans MEP backs Dafydd Iwan in presidential race

DATGANIAD I’R WASG – PRESS RELEASE – DATGANIAD I’R WASG Jill Evans ASE / MEP

Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales in the European Parliament

for immediate release

Jill Evans MEP backs Dafydd Iwan in presidential race

Plaid MEP Jill Evans has given her backing to Dafydd Iwan in his campaign to win the Party Presidency, for which a series of hustings meetings is under way.

Jill said today:

"Dafydd Iwan has always been an inspiration to people throughout Wales and beyond. I have worked with him on many campaigns including a number involving the peace movement. His commitment to Wales and the Welsh language is matched by his passionate belief in peace, justice and human rights.

"For the past four years I have worked alongside Dafydd in my capacity as Vice President of Plaid Cymru. He has played a vital role in the growth of Plaid Cymru as a dynamic political force in Wales. Dafydd is the link between the grassroots party members and the leadership team and it is essential that he continues this work".

Dafydd Iwan has set out his manifesto on his web site: www.dafyddiwan.com

Jill Evans was re-elected unopposed in July as Vice President of Plaid Cymru. She represents the whole of Wales in the European Parliament.

diwedd / ends

Cilfynydd By-Election

Next Thursday (14th August) sees a council by-election in Rhondda Cynon Taf. The election has come about because the Liberal Democrats put up a candidate who was unable to take up his seat. Plaid is receiving a very warm reception from the people of Cilfynydd, a small village just outside Pontypridd. I was very encouraged by the response when I was there on Monday.

Our candidate is Stuart Fisher, a long term Plaid activist who has worked hard both for the party and his community. Good luck Stuart - I know you'll make an excellent councillor.

If you are available to go canvassing in Cilfynydd over the next week, get in touch with Geraint Day on 07769657122.

Support from Parliamentary Candidates

As Plaid Cymru parliamentary candidates in the forthcoming general election, we are looking forward to Elfyn Llwyd leading a successful election campaign. He has the experience and respect needed not only to front that campaign, but also to lead a larger group of Plaid MPs in the next parliamentary term.

We want to express our support for Elfyn Llwyd and Dafydd Iwan in their respective roles. We are calling on members to support Dafydd Iwan in the internal party presidential election, because we are convinced that the presidency is a specific and largely internal facing role that cannot readily be combined with another major leadership role within the party, due to the major time commitment involved in working with, and leading, the voluntary wing of the party.

Myfanwy Davies, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Llanelli

Dafydd Trystan, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Cwm Cynon

Steffan Lewis, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Islwyn

Presidential Election- Hustings

Below are details of the hustings that have been arranged for the presidential elections. While hustings are important, they do not give members the opportunity to discuss issues in any depth. I am therefore making myself available throughout the summer for discussion with members. I'll be at the Plaid Cymru stall at the Eisteddfod throughout the week. I'll also be at Canton Plaid's BBQ on Sunday 3rd August (Duke of Clarence, Clive Road from 2pm onwards). If you have any burning issues - just come and have a chat. Alternatively, members can e mail me on dafyddiwan@cymru1.net

Bangor (Neuadd Powis, Prifysgol Bangor University) 28.07.08 - 7.30pm-8.30pm

Wrecsam (Ystafell Glanyrafon Room, Y Stiwt, Rhosllanerchrugog) 29.07.08 - 7.30pm-8.30pm

Abersytwyth (Gwesty'r Marine Hotel) 30.07.08 - 7.30pm-8.30pm

Llandysilio (Gwesty Nantyffin Hotel) 01.08.08 - 7.30pm- 8.30pm

Caerdydd / Cardiff (Ystafell Taf Suite, Athrofa Chwaraeon Cymru / Welsh Institute of Sport, Sophia Gardens) 2.08.08 - 10.30am-11.30am

Llanelli (Ystafell Lliedi, ger/by Canolfan Samuel Selwyn) 19.08.08 - 7.30pm-8.30pm

Blaenau Ffestiniog (Neuadd Chwaraeon / Sports Hall, Heol Wyn) 20.08.08 - 7.30pm-8.30pm

Support from the grassroots

The best people to judge my performance as party President are the party members. If you want me to be your party President, I'd like to know why.

Here are the latest messages of support from the grassroots that I have received during my campaign:

"I support Dafydd Iwan because I think he has proven himself to be a excellent president and he has always supported us in the Neath Constituency."
Carolyn Edwards, Neath

“It is an honour to support Dafydd Iwan as Plaid Cymru’s President. Plaid Cymru should have a President who is prepared to work tirelessly, and be able to weld the membership together. The President should inspire the members and be a bridge between them and the elected politicians. And the President must be a politician of conviction. Dafydd is all of these. I give him my wholehearted support”.
Richard Parry Hughes, Leader of Cyngor Gwynedd, 2002 - 08

"Dafydd Iwan is a person with a vision: a vision of Wales realising her full potential and taking her place amongst the nations of the world. To see a fairer form of governance in Wales and world-wide. A governance based on social justice, international cooperation and peace. And Dafydd's vision is alive at all levels of politics in Wales and beyond. As we look forward to our next steps on our journey towards self-government, Dafydd's skills are needed by Plaid more than ever. The ability to inspire, to challenge, the ability to listen and to persevere. Dafydd is the man to lead us as grass-roots members during the exciting years ahead."
Cllr. Dyfed Edwards, Gwynedd Council

If you would like to publicly support me for President, be sure to email your comment to dafydd@cymru1.net