Summary
Chief Reporter Martin Shipton says Dafydd Wigley's return can only be good for Wales DAFYDD WIGLEY'S decision to seek a political comeback is the best news Plaid Cymru has had in years. It also promises to inject next year's Assembly election with an exciting extra ingredient. Few of today's politicians in this technocratic age have the same passion as Dafydd Wigley, who over many years has earned respect across the political spectrum. Plaid's contrasting fortunes in the first two Assembly elections illustrate well the impact this formidable campaigner can have. In 1999 he was portrayed by Plaid as the real champion of Wales against Welsh Labour leader Alun Michael, widely perceived as having been imposed from London. Dafydd Wigley achieved the rare feat of convincing many people in English-speaking Wales who rightly or wrongly usually see Plaid as a party for Welsh speakers that it was worth voting for. As a result Plaid won 17 seats, only 11 less than Labour, and significantly more than the Conservatives with nine.
Four years later, with Dafydd Wigley off the scene and his less charismatic successor Ieuan Wyn Jones in charge of the party, Plaid were the big losers, dropping five seats to their current complement of 12.See the full content of this document
Extract
Comeback Promises to Inject Exciting Ingredient
The return of Wigley will undoubtedly be a huge boost to Plaid's chances next year, and - whatever t...
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