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| No-one in Wales is niche, says Plaid's Leanne Wood to critics | No-one in Wales is niche, says Plaid's Leanne Wood to critics |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The former leader of Plaid Cymru has hit back at critics in the party for accusing her of focusing too much on "niche issues". | The former leader of Plaid Cymru has hit back at critics in the party for accusing her of focusing too much on "niche issues". |
| Leanne Wood said tackling racism, the far-right and violence against women is a "central part" of the Plaid Cymru cause. | |
| Her speech won a standing ovation at the party's autumn conference. | Her speech won a standing ovation at the party's autumn conference. |
| The AM for the Rhondda was defeated in the Plaid Cymru leadership election by Adam Price in September. | The AM for the Rhondda was defeated in the Plaid Cymru leadership election by Adam Price in September. |
| During the contest Ms Wood was criticised by Plaid MP Jonathan Edwards for focusing too much on "niche issues that interest her". | During the contest Ms Wood was criticised by Plaid MP Jonathan Edwards for focusing too much on "niche issues that interest her". |
| "There is no such thing as a niche issue in Wales", Ms Wood said to applause at the Plaid Cymru autumn conference in Cardigan. | "There is no such thing as a niche issue in Wales", Ms Wood said to applause at the Plaid Cymru autumn conference in Cardigan. |
| "No one is niche." | "No one is niche." |
| Ms Wood said she had been criticised "for focusing too much of my time on niche or minority issues, that some people have dismissed as being unimportant to our cause." | Ms Wood said she had been criticised "for focusing too much of my time on niche or minority issues, that some people have dismissed as being unimportant to our cause." |
| "But to me, building a society where trans-people can be themselves, where racism is no more, where people can speak Welsh unhindered, where women are free from violence and the far right don't threaten our communities, is a central part of our cause," she said. | "But to me, building a society where trans-people can be themselves, where racism is no more, where people can speak Welsh unhindered, where women are free from violence and the far right don't threaten our communities, is a central part of our cause," she said. |
| "We want to create an independent Wales in order to create a better society for everyone." | "We want to create an independent Wales in order to create a better society for everyone." |
| Analysis | Analysis |
| By Felicity Evans, BBC Wales political editor | By Felicity Evans, BBC Wales political editor |
| Party members gave Leanne Wood a genuinely warm reception as she delivered her speech. She was relaxed and confident, clearly enjoying the experience. | Party members gave Leanne Wood a genuinely warm reception as she delivered her speech. She was relaxed and confident, clearly enjoying the experience. |
| It is hard to believe that it is barely a week since she was so convincingly defeated in the leadership contest. | It is hard to believe that it is barely a week since she was so convincingly defeated in the leadership contest. |
| That's where she started, thanking her rivals: the new leader, Adam Price and Rhun ap Iorwerth for their years of friendship and looking forward to working with them "for years to come". | That's where she started, thanking her rivals: the new leader, Adam Price and Rhun ap Iorwerth for their years of friendship and looking forward to working with them "for years to come". |
| Her promise that she would continue in politics drew cheers from the audience. | Her promise that she would continue in politics drew cheers from the audience. |
| Then she tackled head on the criticism that as leader she had focussed too much on minority interests, to big applause from the hall. | Then she tackled head on the criticism that as leader she had focussed too much on minority interests, to big applause from the hall. |
| This speech was 60% fierce and 40% reassuring - she promised to do her part in ensuring "we win in 2021". | This speech was 60% fierce and 40% reassuring - she promised to do her part in ensuring "we win in 2021". |
| The ferocity was tempered with humour, but, despite her recent defeat, it is clear that Leanne Wood is proud of the choices she made as leader. | The ferocity was tempered with humour, but, despite her recent defeat, it is clear that Leanne Wood is proud of the choices she made as leader. |
| 'Don't listen when they tell you you're too nice' | 'Don't listen when they tell you you're too nice' |
| Ms Wood said real independence is "about making Wales a country where everyone has a croeso, no matter where they come from". | Ms Wood said real independence is "about making Wales a country where everyone has a croeso, no matter where they come from". |
| She called for more young working class women to get involved in politics. | |
| To cheers from party members, she said: "Don't listen when they tell you you're too nice, or too thick, or that your accent doesn't fit." | To cheers from party members, she said: "Don't listen when they tell you you're too nice, or too thick, or that your accent doesn't fit." |
| She vowed to continue to play a role "in encouraging more people who don't have a voice to use the political platforms and systems that are in place to ensure they are heard". | She vowed to continue to play a role "in encouraging more people who don't have a voice to use the political platforms and systems that are in place to ensure they are heard". |
| Earlier Adam Price said he would be the party's nominee for first minister after Welsh Labour elect Carwyn Jones' successor. | Earlier Adam Price said he would be the party's nominee for first minister after Welsh Labour elect Carwyn Jones' successor. |
| The move will trigger a vote in the assembly after the winner of the Welsh Labour leadership contest is announced. | The move will trigger a vote in the assembly after the winner of the Welsh Labour leadership contest is announced. |
| Mr Jones faced deadlock in 2016 when Plaid Cymru, the Conservatives and UKIP backed Leanne Wood for the top job. | Mr Jones faced deadlock in 2016 when Plaid Cymru, the Conservatives and UKIP backed Leanne Wood for the top job. |
| The deadlock was broken when Labour and Plaid forged a co-operation agreement. | The deadlock was broken when Labour and Plaid forged a co-operation agreement. |
| At the time the Welsh Government did not have a majority, but that has changed since former Plaid AM Dafydd Elis-Thomas became a minister. | At the time the Welsh Government did not have a majority, but that has changed since former Plaid AM Dafydd Elis-Thomas became a minister. |
| Mr Price told BBC Wales' Newyddion 9: "With the current first minister departing his role in December, this is a golden opportunity for change in Wales." | Mr Price told BBC Wales' Newyddion 9: "With the current first minister departing his role in December, this is a golden opportunity for change in Wales." |
| On Friday, Plaid backed moves to boost its number of female candidates by twinning constituencies. | On Friday, Plaid backed moves to boost its number of female candidates by twinning constituencies. |
| It will identify 16 target seats which will be paired with each other - one constituency in the pairing will offer a male candidate, and the other a female candidate. | It will identify 16 target seats which will be paired with each other - one constituency in the pairing will offer a male candidate, and the other a female candidate. |
| Labour has a similar arrangement, aimed at boosting female representation. | Labour has a similar arrangement, aimed at boosting female representation. |