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Plaid Cymru AM Lord Elis-Thomas's future in spotlight Plaid Cymru AM Lord Elis-Thomas's future in spotlight
(about 14 hours later)
Lord Elis-Thomas's future as a Plaid Cymru AM could be in doubt as concern grows over his criticism of leader Leanne Wood and party policy. A meeting is under way discussing Lord Elis-Thomas's future as a Plaid Cymru AM as concern grows over his criticism of leader Leanne Wood and party policy.
He is facing internal disciplinary action for questioning Plaid's election campaign priorities.He is facing internal disciplinary action for questioning Plaid's election campaign priorities.
Ms Wood has said it is up to the party, not her, to resolve the issue.Ms Wood has said it is up to the party, not her, to resolve the issue.
Members of Plaid's national executive will take views from Dwyfor Meirionnydd constituency party members at a special meeting in Porthmadog on Tuesday. Members of Plaid's national executive are taking views from Dwyfor Meirionnydd constituency party members at a meeting in Porthmadog, Gwynedd.
Election focusElection focus
Several leading figures within Plaid Cymru are known to be unhappy at the content and timing of criticism levelled at their leader over the last few months. Several leading figures within Plaid Cymru are known to be unhappy at the content and timing of criticism levelled at their leader over the past few months.
The assembly's former presiding officer, who himself led Plaid Cymru from 1984 to 1991, had criticised his party's main general election demand that Wales should be treated in the same way as Scotland.The assembly's former presiding officer, who himself led Plaid Cymru from 1984 to 1991, had criticised his party's main general election demand that Wales should be treated in the same way as Scotland.
He said the campaign did not appear to focus on Wales' future.He said the campaign did not appear to focus on Wales' future.
Lord Elis-Thomas has also been at odds with the party over the timing of the promised EU referendum, arguing that to hold it on the same day as the 2016 assembly election in May could boost turnout.Lord Elis-Thomas has also been at odds with the party over the timing of the promised EU referendum, arguing that to hold it on the same day as the 2016 assembly election in May could boost turnout.
Ms Wood and First Minister Carwyn Jones have both said it should not clash with the election.Ms Wood and First Minister Carwyn Jones have both said it should not clash with the election.
In 2014 he lost the chairmanship of an assembly committee for criticising Ms Wood's spring party conference speech in which she said a vote for UKIP was "a vote against Wales".In 2014 he lost the chairmanship of an assembly committee for criticising Ms Wood's spring party conference speech in which she said a vote for UKIP was "a vote against Wales".
Plaid chief executive Rhuanedd Richards and chairman Dafydd Trystan are expected to attend Tuesday's meeting and report back to a national executive meeting in August. Plaid chief executive Rhuanedd Richards and chairman Dafydd Trystan are expected to report back to a national executive meeting in August.
Lord Elis-Thomas has already been chosen as the Plaid candidate to defend his Dwyfor Meirionnydd seat in the 2016 assembly election, but could face de-selection as the ultimate sanction.Lord Elis-Thomas has already been chosen as the Plaid candidate to defend his Dwyfor Meirionnydd seat in the 2016 assembly election, but could face de-selection as the ultimate sanction.
Analysis by BBC Wales political correspondent Aled ap DafyddAnalysis by BBC Wales political correspondent Aled ap Dafydd
The key question for both sides is how much of a team player is Lord Elis-Thomas?The key question for both sides is how much of a team player is Lord Elis-Thomas?
On his own Twitter page he calls himself an "independent environmentalist" with no mention of Plaid Cymru.On his own Twitter page he calls himself an "independent environmentalist" with no mention of Plaid Cymru.
The whip was temporarily withdrawn from him in 2012 when he did not turn up to a crucial vote on the future of Welsh Labour's then health minister Lesley Griffiths.The whip was temporarily withdrawn from him in 2012 when he did not turn up to a crucial vote on the future of Welsh Labour's then health minister Lesley Griffiths.
But it is his criticism of Plaid's main general election demand that Wales should be treated in the same way as Scotland which has put his future within the party at risk.But it is his criticism of Plaid's main general election demand that Wales should be treated in the same way as Scotland which has put his future within the party at risk.
In weekly press conferences, senior Plaid assembly members have wriggled uncomfortably in their seats when asked to support him.In weekly press conferences, senior Plaid assembly members have wriggled uncomfortably in their seats when asked to support him.
His supporters say he is a constitutional visionary, a politically uniting figure rather than a tribal politician. He has in the past been able to fall back on local support to get him out of internal party scrapes.His supporters say he is a constitutional visionary, a politically uniting figure rather than a tribal politician. He has in the past been able to fall back on local support to get him out of internal party scrapes.
Politics is all about tactics and positioning. If Lord Elis-Thomas has misjudged the mood and run out of goodwill, might he then position himself as an independent candidate next year?Politics is all about tactics and positioning. If Lord Elis-Thomas has misjudged the mood and run out of goodwill, might he then position himself as an independent candidate next year?