This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/wales/5372682.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Iwan's Plaid doorstep challenge Iwan's Plaid doorstep challenge
(about 2 hours later)
Plaid Cymru's president Dafydd Iwan has set out his vision of connecting with voters on a local level in the run-up to next May's assembly elections.Plaid Cymru's president Dafydd Iwan has set out his vision of connecting with voters on a local level in the run-up to next May's assembly elections.
Mr Iwan said Plaid would concentrate on local campaigning "because your doorstep is where it matters".Mr Iwan said Plaid would concentrate on local campaigning "because your doorstep is where it matters".
Addressing the Swansea conference, Mr Iwan set out a programme attacking the government on Iraq, nuclear weapons and its abandoned police service reform.Addressing the Swansea conference, Mr Iwan set out a programme attacking the government on Iraq, nuclear weapons and its abandoned police service reform.
He said he wanted them to create "a better community...and a fairer world".He said he wanted them to create "a better community...and a fairer world".
In a speech delivered bilingually, the president outlined his party's vision of connecting with local communities.In a speech delivered bilingually, the president outlined his party's vision of connecting with local communities.
He said: "Politics has become a remote pastime, practised by the chosen few in far away places.He said: "Politics has become a remote pastime, practised by the chosen few in far away places.
If the powers of the assembly are insufficient we will not rest until Wales has its own proper parliament so that we can complete the work, Dafydd IwanIf the powers of the assembly are insufficient we will not rest until Wales has its own proper parliament so that we can complete the work, Dafydd Iwan
"Plaid Cymru believes that politics belongs to the people, healthy politics is about you, your family, your friends and your community and your nation.""Plaid Cymru believes that politics belongs to the people, healthy politics is about you, your family, your friends and your community and your nation."
Mr Iwan also said Plaid Cymru has "great ambitions for Wales".Mr Iwan also said Plaid Cymru has "great ambitions for Wales".
"We believe in creating in Wales a new patriotism that brings us together in a common mission - a new bargain between the people and their country - a social contract to equip us for the 21st Century."We believe in creating in Wales a new patriotism that brings us together in a common mission - a new bargain between the people and their country - a social contract to equip us for the 21st Century.
He said the party wants to "create a new, inclusive, progressive, civic-based and outward looking nationalism".He said the party wants to "create a new, inclusive, progressive, civic-based and outward looking nationalism".
The president also appealed for individual donations to the party's election fighting fund, saying the party could not depend on the sponsorship of big business or trade unions but it could depend on the people of Wales.The president also appealed for individual donations to the party's election fighting fund, saying the party could not depend on the sponsorship of big business or trade unions but it could depend on the people of Wales.
'Inspire people' Dafydd Elis-Thomas said politics must be transparent
"If the powers of the assembly are insufficient we will not rest until Wales has its own proper parliament so that we can complete the work," said Mr Iwan."If the powers of the assembly are insufficient we will not rest until Wales has its own proper parliament so that we can complete the work," said Mr Iwan.
On Friday, Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said the party needed to "inspire people". Later, the assembly's presiding officer Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas addressed the Plaid conference for the first time since the assembly was set up.
Mr Jones also told delegates that the "time had come" for the party to be in government. Lord Elis-Thomas said politics in Wales must be both sustainable and transparent, promoting "the sharpest scrutiny and accountability".
He said: "Ministers are paid not just to run a country but to give constant public account of their performance.
"And we must sharpen up our way of doing this. We must be as transparent as our building."
The party's honorary president Dafydd Wigley also told the conference that Plaid is a party for the whole of Wales.The party's honorary president Dafydd Wigley also told the conference that Plaid is a party for the whole of Wales.
Ahead of his speech he told BBC Wales he would be speaking about the development of jobs and boosting the country's economy.Ahead of his speech he told BBC Wales he would be speaking about the development of jobs and boosting the country's economy.
Raft of areasRaft of areas
Mr Wigley said: "I think there's a feeling throughout Wales that we should have an assembly government that is relevant to the whole of Wales.Mr Wigley said: "I think there's a feeling throughout Wales that we should have an assembly government that is relevant to the whole of Wales.
"In this conference we've rolled out programmes in a whole raft of areas... but policies that are relevant to people in their communities, and that's what matters.""In this conference we've rolled out programmes in a whole raft of areas... but policies that are relevant to people in their communities, and that's what matters."
Ieuan Wyn Jones told the Swansea conference on Friday: "We need a fresh start for Wales and inspire our people that things can be different on their doorsteps." On Friday, Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said the party needed to "inspire people" and that the "time had come" for the party to be in government.
His 35-minute speech was in contrast to Plaid's troubles after the 2003 election when he resigned from the party's presidency after a poor assembly election.His 35-minute speech was in contrast to Plaid's troubles after the 2003 election when he resigned from the party's presidency after a poor assembly election.