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Plaid to tackle its 'false image' Plaid to tackle its 'false image'
(about 1 hour later)
Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones is to tell supporters they must tackle "false perceptions" about the party.Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones is to tell supporters they must tackle "false perceptions" about the party.
At its autumn conference in Llandudno, he will urge members to stress that the party is for everyone wherever they live in Wales, whatever their language.At its autumn conference in Llandudno, he will urge members to stress that the party is for everyone wherever they live in Wales, whatever their language.
It is understood research for Plaid has shown a significant proportion of voters believe it is extreme and irrelevant in UK-wide elections.It is understood research for Plaid has shown a significant proportion of voters believe it is extreme and irrelevant in UK-wide elections.
Mr Jones will insist the party's "only loyalty is to the people of Wales".Mr Jones will insist the party's "only loyalty is to the people of Wales".
With a general election certain within nine months, it will be Plaid Cymru's last major conference before polling day and much of the event and a party political broadcast will seek to challenge the negative image many voters are thought to have of Plaid.With a general election certain within nine months, it will be Plaid Cymru's last major conference before polling day and much of the event and a party political broadcast will seek to challenge the negative image many voters are thought to have of Plaid.
We need to tell people that we are a party for everyone in Wales regardless of the language they speak, where they're from or where they live Ieuan Wyn Jones, Plaid Cymru leader
Party strategists have long been aware of the dangers of it being seen as simply a party for Welsh speakers or rural areas, more interested in independence than the more immediate concerns of ordinary voters.Party strategists have long been aware of the dangers of it being seen as simply a party for Welsh speakers or rural areas, more interested in independence than the more immediate concerns of ordinary voters.
But it would seem such impressions are firmly embedded in the minds of many of the voters it needs to attract if it is to achieve the sort of general election breakthrough which has eluded it so far.But it would seem such impressions are firmly embedded in the minds of many of the voters it needs to attract if it is to achieve the sort of general election breakthrough which has eluded it so far.
Since devolution, Plaid Cymru AMs have won in traditional Labour areas such as Rhondda and Llanelli, but in Westminster terms it remains a small party representing rural, Welsh-speaking areas, contrasting with the broader support base its Scottish counterpart the SNP has achieved.Since devolution, Plaid Cymru AMs have won in traditional Labour areas such as Rhondda and Llanelli, but in Westminster terms it remains a small party representing rural, Welsh-speaking areas, contrasting with the broader support base its Scottish counterpart the SNP has achieved.
Mr Jones will say: "We need to tell people that we are a party for everyone in Wales regardless of the language they speak, where they're from or where they live. Mr Jones told BBC Radio Wales the party was trying to understand whether there were "reasons why certain people feel they can't vote for Plaid at the moment".
He said: "We're addressing those at this conference and giving them positive reasons why they should do so."
People don't see Plaid simply as a vehicle for protest votes any more... they think, my God, those people are part of running the country Ieuan Wyn Jones, Plaid Cymru leader
He continued: "I think there have been occasions when we have broken through - even in the 60s and 70s we had massive votes for Plaid in the valleys of south Wales.
'Moral compass''Moral compass'
"Yes, we are different to the other(s), but that's because our only loyalty is to the people of Wales, wherever they are, and because we truly believe in creating a fairer, more prosperous future for our citizens." "But it's a different political context now, completely different, because people don't see Plaid simply as a vehicle for protest votes any more.
"They think, my God, those people are part of running the country."
Mr Jones will say at the conference that the party needs to tell people it is for everyone in Wales regardless of the language they speak, where they're from or where they live.
Backed by the party's new slogan 'Think Different. Think Plaid', Mr Jones will tell delegates "the credibility of the political system has crumbled" and Gordon Brown's government has "lost its moral compass".Backed by the party's new slogan 'Think Different. Think Plaid', Mr Jones will tell delegates "the credibility of the political system has crumbled" and Gordon Brown's government has "lost its moral compass".
"Now is not the time for a false choice between two parties who have miserably failed Wales over the past two decades," he will argue."Now is not the time for a false choice between two parties who have miserably failed Wales over the past two decades," he will argue.
"At a time when people in Wales feel angry and let down by the same old Westminster politics now is the time for change," Mr Jones will say."At a time when people in Wales feel angry and let down by the same old Westminster politics now is the time for change," Mr Jones will say.
He will assert that Labour has "had it" and is "unrecognisable" to communities who have "loyally supported it for almost a century".He will assert that Labour has "had it" and is "unrecognisable" to communities who have "loyally supported it for almost a century".
But the Plaid leader will say the change offered by the Conservatives at the general election amounts to cuts and threats to jobs and services, whilst protecting the "rich and powerful".
Major breakthroughMajor breakthrough
But the Plaid leader will say the change offered by the Conservatives at the general election amounts to cuts and threats to jobs and services, whilst protecting the "rich and powerful".
The party has three MPs, in Caernarfon, Carmarthen East and Dinefwr and Meirionydd Nant Conwy.The party has three MPs, in Caernarfon, Carmarthen East and Dinefwr and Meirionydd Nant Conwy.
It hopes to more than double that by winning Anglesey, Aberconwy, Ceredigion and Llanelli.It hopes to more than double that by winning Anglesey, Aberconwy, Ceredigion and Llanelli.
Such general election success would clearly represent a major breakthrough for Plaid, but would also put it in a stronger position to challenge Labour in the 2011 assembly election.Such general election success would clearly represent a major breakthrough for Plaid, but would also put it in a stronger position to challenge Labour in the 2011 assembly election.
Delegates will also consider how the party should respond to a Conservative general election victory and what it should seek to extract from David Cameron in return for Plaid's support in the event of a hung parliament.Delegates will also consider how the party should respond to a Conservative general election victory and what it should seek to extract from David Cameron in return for Plaid's support in the event of a hung parliament.
Changes to the way Wales receives funding from the Treasury and certainty over the issue of holding a referendum on further assembly powers are understood to be the prizes Plaid would want.Changes to the way Wales receives funding from the Treasury and certainty over the issue of holding a referendum on further assembly powers are understood to be the prizes Plaid would want.