This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-21479687

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Plaid Cymru considers new constitution at special Aberystwyth conference Plaid Cymru agrees new constitution at special Aberystwyth conference
(about 7 hours later)
Plaid Cymru is holding a special conference in Aberystwyth to consider a new constitution. Plaid Cymru has agreed wide-ranging changes to its constitution at a special conference in Aberystwyth.
It will bring an end to an internal review begun after disappointing assembly election results. The agreement ends an internal review which started after disappointing assembly election results.
An internal party report published last year made a number of recommendations that form the basis of the proposed constitution. The party has agreed to scrap the president's role, give members an equal vote, and set up a leader's team which it says will ensure clearer leadership.
Scrapping the position of party president and giving members an equal vote are among the proposals. Plaid leader Leanne Wood said they were exciting changes that would strengthen the way the party worked.
After losing its status as the assembly's second-largest party in the 2011 election, outgoing leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said in his resignation statement: "We now need to take the party to the next stage of its development, and conduct a thorough review." "Our aim is to become the party of government in 2016, and these changes will help us achieve that aim," she said.
The review, which is called Moving Forward and was led by Plaid's economic policy adviser Eurfyl ap Gwilym, recognised the party's lack of electoral progress. "The creation of a leadership team will ensure that there is greater accountability for the decisions we take as a party from our elected members at all levels, and will mean that there is clearer leadership.
"The leadership team will also incorporate the work of the president.
"The decision to overhaul this long-established post within the party is an historic one, and one which is indicative of our commitment to the renewal and re-evaluation of the way we operate."
An internal party report published last year made a number of recommendations that form the basis of the constitution.
The review, called Moving Forward and led by Plaid's economic policy adviser Eurfyl ap Gwilym, recognised the party's lack of electoral progress.
It laid out structural and membership recommendations that will be reflected in the new constitution.
Mr ap Gwilym said of the revised constitution: "The changes agreed by the party today are extremely important for achieving the goals set out by Camu 'Mlaen, and I am glad that they have won the support of our members.
FightFight
It laid out structural and membership recommendations that will be reflected in the new constitution if accepted by delegates. "Our values are in line with the natural leanings of the people of Wales, but in the past we have failed to capitalise on that."
Plaid will recognise constituencies as the main unit of party organisation instead of local branches or county parties. Plaid recognises constituencies as the main unit of party organisation instead of local branches or county parties.
Party leader Leanne Wood has previously said that the party must win more of the constituency seats that make up two-thirds of the assembly. Party leader Leanne Wood has previously said the party must win more of the constituency seats that make up two-thirds of the Welsh assembly.
Ms Wood, the regional AM for South Wales Central, has already stated her intention to fight a constituency seat in the 2016 assembly election.Ms Wood, the regional AM for South Wales Central, has already stated her intention to fight a constituency seat in the 2016 assembly election.
For the first time, the constitution will introduce a "one member, one vote" system that will give equal voting power to all in the party. For the first time, the constitution introduces a "one member, one vote" system that will give equal voting power to all in the party.
Leadership team The new constitution formalises a leadership team at the top of the party responsible for overseeing day-to-day political tactics, which has been effective since the new leader took the reins last year.
A feeling that a lack of clarity in the party's leadership structures is behind the decision to abolish the post of party president. As well as the leader, the team will include the party chair Helen Mary Jones, parliamentary leader Elfyn Llwyd, European parliamentary leader Jill Evans, chief executive Rhuanedd Richards, and any other members chosen by the core members -currently Elin Jones AM and Jonathan Edwards MP.
The new constitution will also formalise a leadership team at the top of the party responsible for overseeing day-to-day political tactics, which has been effective since the new leader took the reins last year.
As well as the leader, the team will include the party chair (Helen Mary Jones), parliamentary leader (Elfyn Llwyd), European parliamentary leader (Jill Evans), chief executive (Rhuanedd Richards), and any other members chosen by the core members (currently Elin Jones AM and Jonathan Edwards MP).