Plaid Divide Shows 'A Force In Retreat'

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 16th May 2005

The rift at the heart of Plaid Cymru was predicted two months ago by Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly leader Mike German, at his party's Spring Conference.

In his speech to delegates he claimed the two factions were "struggling for internal supremacy and failing to reach a wider election".

Speaking today, Mike German said: "Our General Election manifesto was called Y Dewis Dilys. Plaid Cymru liked it so much they adopted most of the policies, and now they've come back for the name.

"The launch of Dewis this morning has highlighted the fact that Plaid Cymru has always been two parties. There has always been this divide between those who are in the Welsh Liberal tradition, and the socialist wing.

"The reality is that whichever plan for the future and whichever leader Plaid Cymru chooses to follow, they will not be the largest party in the Assembly in 2007 - that will be the Welsh Liberal Democrats, or the Conservatives.

"While Plaid and the Tories are looking inward to resolve their leadership struggles, it is left to the Welsh Liberal Democrats to look out for the interests of the people of Wales, and keeping the Labour Party under scrutiny. We are the growing force at all levels in Wales and the official opposition on Welsh issues in Westminster."

Mr German also pointed to difficulties on the horizon for the Labour Party.

"Labour has its own problems. The publication of the White Paper on devolution will show whether Peter Hain or Rhodri Morgan has won the internal battle to take forward devolution. More intriguing will be the publication of the Rees Report where Labour faces a struggle to impose its will in the Assembly where the opposition parties are united in their opposition to top-up fees."

Notes:

Mike German's 2005 Spring Conference speech included a passage:

"Plaid Cymru is in retreat as a political force. I say force rather than party, because in reality, the self-styled Party of Wales, isn't really a party. It is a collective for two very different factions struggling for internal supremacy and failing to reach a wider election.