14/09/2012 Plaid Cymru Conference

If it is mid-September it must be conference season. Over the next

four weeks the four main political parties will gather in various

parts of the United Kingdom to give their loyal followers some

political direction for the year ahead. It is all kicks off here in

the market town of Brecon with A warm welcome from his cavalry

town where it is half-an-hour's time Leanne Wood will be trying to

rally the troops in what will be her second conference address since

taking over as the unexpected new leader of Plaid Cymru. That will be

the main focus of our attention this afternoon. Listening to every

word of that speech will be our political editor, Betsan Powys.

Political honeymoons tend to be quite belong in some respects. Six

months as Leanne Wood took over the leadership, does that mean that her

political honeymoon is over? months is long enough. The good

will persists but people who have come here one to understand how the

party of what they heard in the election, what they have heard

since, how they come together to create a coherent whole. She isn't

the only editor on duty this afternoon. Vaughan Roderick is in

the main conference hall. Where disaster and has been narrowly

averted. They have been trying -- having difficulties with

translation equipment. Hopefully everything is back in order as are

the party opens up the panel discussion, a new innovation for

the party. This came in earlier this year. Discussing strong Labour

a sustainable future and the talent for Welsh communities. This is a

warm-up for the leader's speech. It will be around to 40 5:00pm. I hope

they will sort out the technical glitches. Let's go out and about to

dodge the cars. The rally cars and bicycles are going through Brecon

this afternoon. I have come out of the conference hall to the

Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. I will be talking to the people who

keep the party afloat, the councillors, the activists, to say

what they make of Leanne Wood's first six months. Let's have a

proper chat with Betsan Powys. Leanne Wood, an unexpected leader.

She was the underdog to succeed the Ieuan Wyn Jones. Is the party

comfortable with the selection? Most are. They need some reminding

every now and again in what they did, why they did it and where are

they are headed. Bear in mind it was a decisive victory. She just

wasn't supported in certain parts of Wales, the votes came from all

over Wales. Perhaps in this part of Wales where Plaid Cymru is already

in power and is wanting to hear creative and practical ideas as to

where they go from here in difficult economic times, they

point out in conversations every now and again this isn't just about

this part of Wales were Plaid Cymru in need to take on Labour on their

own turf and stab beating them. I was speaking to one councillor who

is raising his concern what he wants to avoid his there is a mixed

message. There is one message from one part of Wales when they are

empowered and another message for parts of Wales where they are not

in power. That does not always make that a coherent whole. Some

concerns Dublin. What they want here is reassurance. That is what

Leanne Wood will be seeking to give them. You talk about where Plaid

Cymru does have some power on a local level. It is too early to

blame Plaid Cymru's fortunes in the local elections on Leanne Wood. The

haemorrhaging votes in Rhondda Cynon Taf, if she can't win votes

in a row backyard what hope has she been at the heart as where she is

not a natural fit with the Plaid Cymru voters? It was very soon, it

was a matter of weeks after she was elected. You might argue that a

matter of weeks after a new leader is elected they could be a bounce.

There was no Leanne Wood bounce. Plaid Cymru lost ground in the

local elections. They lost Caerphilly where they had been

gaining ground. They were not making gains elsewhere either. That

is going to be difficult. She was supported in those traditional

heartland areas it is wrong to think she was not. There was a view

that it was time for a change. The votes came in for her. It is those

people who what are wanting there to be this coherent message for

staff they want this focus on the economy. It is a different focus if

you are already in power. There needs to be a slightly different

message that is pointing a finger elsewhere. They will want flesh on

the bones. What are these policies? What is our big idea? How can we

set ourselves apart from the other parties? If you ask Leanne Wood

what the biggest achievement has been she will point to implementing

the findings of the internal review, but in the internal structures of

Plaid Cymru which they will concede have been weak. Putting their House

in order. It only takes you so far. That is not a message that is

easily sold to the voters. It does not make for good headlines. People

will accept that it was time to look good those mechanics and to

try and get those right. It does not make for exciting debates. They

will want to know where is all that leading, how is a great improve

things Electa really? Heart of what she and her executive have been

doing his try to put that below the surface away. The leading on from

that, today's speech will be focused on talking so that people

beyond the core membership of Plaid Cymru. The Welsh electorate as a

whole. We talked about Plaid Cymru members from parts of Wales but the

key for Plaid Cymru is for those who were not part -- cool and not

members are tour. -- who are not members at all. Thank you very much.

Let's go out and about and let's go and see who Tomos Livingstone has

got as company. I am joined by Allott and Quinn -- Ellen ap Gwynn.

You supported Elin Jones for the leadership. What you make of Leanne

Wood? I think she has taken to it very well. I would unsupported her

because I was her agent. You would not expect me to do anything else.

Now the decision has been made to elect Leanne Wood we all need to

get behind her and Elin Jones is now her deputy so we have a great

team there we can move forward and move Plaid Cymru forward based on

the report. You saw how difficult it was for the party and the local

elections. How much of the challenge is it going to be to

build from the bottom up? Ceredigion we kept, we did not lose

out. We gained some seeds, we lost a few that we kept our own position.

We managed to take over the council. For as it was a successful election.

There is no doubt we have to build the party. The party is being built.

Leanne Wood's campaign did bring new members on board. We have seen

a substantial increase in membership over that period.

youth vote was very important to her in her election. How happy are

you with her first six months? lot of new, young members came to

Plaid Cymru because of her campaign. Says Leanne's election we have

started rebranding. Her supporters be invaluable. She has given us a

lot of advice in terms of how we can take on that. We want to work

on a close-up faces with Plaid Cymru is centrally. I am very happy.

If I can ask you this, the speech is not long now, what are you

hoping to hear from her? Youth unemployment is our focus at the

moment. I am looking forward to hearing what she has to say about

that. She has been saying a few things in the press recently about

it but I'm hoping she would give some detail about what Plaid Cymru

will do to tackle youth unemployment, what her plans are. I

am looking forward to working with her on that. What would you like to

hear her saying? Her focuses on economy. We have got the economy in

dire straits. What is happening in the London government is having a

negative impact on us here in Wales. The Welsh Government is finding it

difficult and week, as a local authority level are finding it

difficult having to scrutinise our services very closely. Hopefully,

not losing too many services. We have to keep a watchful eye on our

budgets. We don't want to see some of our staff losing their jobs

because there are no other jobs out there. That is the truth of the

matter. The economy needs a kick- start to get the engine running

again. I think that is what everyone should be concentrating on.

We heard a lot in the leadership campaign about independence. Are

you disappointed we will not hear about that in her speech? She has

made her case there. We and not looking to immediate constitutional

change but that decision has been made, there is no need to discuss

it again. We do need to concentrate on bread and butter issues. Let me

ask you the same question. I think people know what her position is on

independence, people know that far Cymru's policy is independence for

Wales. We have to focus on the economy first and build it up.

People want to see Plaid Cymru putting policies forward. Thank you

very much. Plenty to discuss their. Support of concentrating on the

economy. For now, back to the studio.

One of the main political stories are were the last few weeks has

involved the furore reached around GCSEs and the fight, the political

spat between two political heavyweight, Leighton Andrews and

Michael Gove. It was all about changing been grade boundaries

regarding that qualification. It has been a subject that has

exercised the minds of Plaid Cymru members this morning. In emergency

motion they were rather damning with praise when it came to the

Education Minister, Leighton Andrews. They have welcomed the

decision by Leighton Andrews to last for at the -- to have the

papers are regraded in Wales. The conference has also suggested that

the Welsh Education Minister needs to explain why the Welsh Government

took the decision with the regulator in England to require the

WG easy to change the grade boundaries in the first instance.

We can hear more from that debate which took place earlier this

morning. The last occasion minister is the

regulator for the exam system in Wales, he set up the system and

allowed his civil servants to negotiate this with their

regulation body. He allowed this situation to happen. The greys were

changed and the boundaries were changed when pupils and parents did

UN know that was happening. They took exams in good faith note --

thinking they would be measured in the same way they would be measured

previously all throughout the exam courses. English is a core subject.

The credibility of the exam system in Wales has been severely

undermined but there are hundreds of pupils who don't know whether

they have got the grades they need to proceed with education, training,

apprenticeship or whatever their future may be. We are responsible

for holding the Education Minister to account. We will not bother with

Michael Gove forced a they're very good Welsh MPs from Plaid Cymru who

will have fun tackling Michael Gove He is a nothing to do with

education in Wales. Leighton Andrews is responsible for

education in Wales. This motion demands we take action, and

relieved action in the Assembly to scrutinise his actions on this. We

may support what he is doing all want to take the lead and show that

a separate education system for Wales is the way forward, and

dragged Leighton Andrews kicking and screaming towards that it that

is what it takes, but we can't let him get away with a mock fight with

Westminster, playing in Westminster and removing his own responsibility

for what's happened over the summer. It's a shame and disgrace that this

has happened. It's an absolute shame that so many of our young

people have been let down. Once again Labour has failed to stand up

for young people, but we will be there to protect them and

scrutinise the minister, and if this emergency motion is passed

today, it will strengthen the hand That was Simon Thomas talking

earlier this morning. I am now joined by two of his colleagues in

the Welsh Assembly, Elin Jones and Alun Ffred Jones. Good afternoon.

No way in this emergency motion to YC what Plaid Cymru would have done

differently -- know where. I think the minister should have looked...

Should have been aware, and should not have allowed the regrading to

happen as it did in the first place. That is the challenge. He said

there was no other option. Surely the mock fight he is bidding now

with Michael Gove, he was aware of what was happening, or was he not?

If he was aware of the changes proposed by the regulator, why did

you propose doing anything? -- he proposed. He now claims this is

terrible and all for and demands a regrading. Simon Thomas made the

point clearly that he supported Leighton Andrews in the regrading

because it is deemed to be unfair, that is fair enough. But was he

aware of the changes previously? If he was, he it should have supported

the change, and now he said he opposes it. There is some

explanation, and I think Simon asked the committee to convene

earlier in order to question the Minister as to whether that was the

right and proper course of action. On the wider subject of regrading,

is this devolution at its best or its worst? We could now arrive at a

scenario where pupils in England to have achieved a similar mark to

those in Wales will achieve a lower grades than pupils in Wales. Surely

that can't be right. Devolution is about accountability and

responsibility. Leighton Andrews, as the Education Minister and a

Welsh minister has the responsibility to take action on

behalf of Welsh pupils, and he has done that now. Even if he puts

English pupils at a disadvantage? It is not about the issue facing

pupils in England. That is the responsibility of the English

Minister, and he has chosen not to support the inequality those pupils

have faced, and Leighton Andrews has used his responsibility to take

a different decision in Wales, and is perfectly appropriate. Welsh

pupils should be pleased there is devolution and a Welsh minister

willing to take decisions. They should not be as pleased... They

should not be pleased about how the decision on regrading was taken. If

Leighton Andrews knew what was happening, did he agree to it?

now have to political head -- heavyweights, seasoned campaigners

going hammer and tongs. If this is a contest, there can be no draw.

Someone ultimately has to win. How do you think this will play out in

the long run? If it is a fight, it seems they have to be careful. The

winners and losers here are the pupils and students in the short

and long terms, and we shouldn't be drawn to almost a sideshow between

these two personalities. The position is, what will we do about

the exam system. If changes will be brought about by political machine

Nations, well, that is a very I am deeply uneasy about a Welsh

minister interleaving and saying, regret, because I think the

regrading has been wrong. He perceived and was right, probably,

that there had been an injustice done, therefore it is right to call

for regrading, but in the longer term, if we feel perhaps we should

have a different exam system in Wales, perhaps the Scottish model

offers something, that's fine, but we will have to bring everybody on

board. On that subject, we will find out the findings of the review

into qualifications in a few months time. Do you think this debacle is

the final nail of the Cup -- in the coffin for GCSEs in Wales?

necessarily, and I am not sure if I would call it the to buckle. I

don't like the political fight between England and Wales. I think

it should be protocol that Welsh ministers don't comment on English

ministers' decisions and vice-versa. I think it is sad in this context

that they have chosen to condemn each other's decisions. They really

should stick to their own responsibility. Michael Gove should

stick to his issued in England, and Leighton Andrews to his in Wales.

On to conference matters, this is the second speech since Leanne Wood

took over. You were condemned yourself. Do you think the best

woman one? -- were a contender yourself. I am glad I am not the

one delivering the speech this afternoon! The party decided on its

leader. That is not a yes. wouldn't be yes, because I voted

for me, so obviously I voted for somebody else in that election. But

the party has decided on its leader, and it was a clear decision by the

party, and I completely accept that decision, and am pleased to be led

by Leanne Wood and look forward to what she has to say this afternoon,

because it is always worth listening to. I can't remember

which way you voted, Alun Ffred Jones. I supported Elin Jones but I

am supportive of the present leader. No divisions here. Six months on,

how has Leanne Wood define the future for Plaid Cymru? What do we

know about Plaid Cymru? It is still early days, and that is true of

most political leaders, that it takes time for them, for their own

personalities to come through to lead the party in different ways.

She has set up two commissions, one on sustainability and one on the

economy, that was the first thing she did, and they are beginning to

work. Those two commissions will in the long term to find a way she

approaches matters. Would it be fair to say those involved in Plaid

Cymru will know a lot more about the future direction of Plaid Cymru

than those outside, because when I asked Leanne Wood yesterday what

her greatest achievement was in the six months, she said it was

implementing the findings of the internal review of the post-mortem

following the Assembly election and putting Policy Committee's at work

-- Policy Committee's. But that doesn't hit home to the general

voter. No, and that is something we need to address in the coming years.

It is always dangerous to think that an incoming leader can

suddenly direct things. Perhaps in a different context, that is what

we need, but in fact, she is trying to build, in the longer term... She

needs a firm policy and a sustainable policy in the longer

term which will appeal outside the traditional areas and traditional

voters. Every person in the party would say that. We in Plaid Cymru

had this goal of creating a nation that is self-confident and

succeeding. We are not succeeding. The economic prospects of Wales are

not good. We need to address that. She is quite right and has made a

very bold but correct decision in putting the economy at the heart of

her leadership. Unless we get the economy right, we can't talk about

devolution in a meaningful way which will have any appeal to the

voters in Wales and uncommitted voters, because they will ask what

is happening on their doorstep. Youngsters and jobless people in

Wales, people who are finding themselves in a very uncertain

position. So I think she is writing making that decision, and it falls

to us in the party and be on the party to get policies that will

offer hope for Wales. Central to that policy is the bill for Wales

planned you decided to create, �500 million towards infrastructure. The

only problem with that is it is dependent upon bonds and the

Treasury wouldn't allow it. If something seems too good to be true,

it usually is. He has thrown in the towel and said we can't do that. It

is feasible. Just because the Treasury says they won't allow it

doesn't mean it is wrong. The Treasury will stand against

anything not government policy in England or Westminster. But we say

this is one way of getting more money in to improve our

infrastructure, and if there is one thing the Welsh economy is crying

out for, it is infrastructure projects in Wales. We are losing

money, and that has a direct impact on the future of young people. Our

policy is good and correct. If we have the power to implement it. But

that is the responsibility of Westminster and they are doing

Wales down. The UN would Prior -- prioritise as the economy but

whenever we talk about her we know independence is in her DNA. You

said you thought we as a nation would be in a position to have

independence within this generation, I think he said after the next

Assembly election, that Plaid Cymru would be in government endured push

towards independence. It seems Leanne Wood is slowing but --

rowing back significantly from her earlier position. I don't think

there is any rolling back. Plaid Cymru supports Wales becoming an

independent nation but that is a decision the Welsh people will

undertake at some point, hopefully in the future, it is up to Plaid

Cymru to make the arguments that Wales would be better served as a

fully self-governing nation. And more than anything, our economy

would be better served by having more of the economic levers at the

disposal of the Welsh nation, rather than a Westminster

government. We have had the last 30 years of Westminster economic

policy, it has not served Wales well and we're at the bottom of all

the economic league tables. Having more taxation levers that influence

businesses directly in job-creation at the disposal of the Welsh

Government, having a properly focused Welsh economic policy,

would lift us out of poverty, and that is one thing Leanne wants to

do more than anything. She comes from one of the poorest parts of

Wales and Europe, in the Rhondda Valley. She wants to lift us on

this inevitability of poverty that the Labour Party seem to think

Wales is destined for. Plaid Cymru does not believe Wales is destined

for poverty. We think that with an ambitious programme We can see

Wales prosper much better than it has. The question in the party is,

if the present system works so perfectly for Wales, how is it that

we have ended up in this position with GDP in terms of Europe 70 per

cent less than the European average. How come so many parts of Wales

dominated by the Labour Party for 80-100 years are now the poorest in

Europe? Those are questions, if the prison system is so brilliant, how

come we have ended up here? Today she will talk about a new green

deal, the headline announcement of a speech today. What does that

mean? -- Green New Deal. It means it linking environmental

sustainability and none carbon emitting economies with economic

prosperity. How many new jobs? is a changeover time and every

nation in the world faces this change. We are far too dependent on

fossil fuels and oil in particular. There are details, we will hear

them from the and this afternoon. How many new jobs? This is a matter

of building up economic policy so that in 2016, 2015, we can put an

alternative programme of government to the people of Wales. The people

of Wales in the last election chose Labour for this government and ask

them how many new jobs they have created in the last few months and

years. Those numbers are not high. It sounds like something which is a

development of Leanne Wood's Green Print for the valleys. I wonder how

much of that is at work in Wales at the moment. That was a discussion

document. She passionately believes in localism. She believes that is

one way forward, but also fully acknowledged that private

enterprise has a central role to play in the new economy and

developing new Welsh economies and creating jobs here in Wales. That

is why she set up those two commissions, so we can work out the

details in order to produce something that is believable and

achievable. I think that we are starting on the journey but have

some way to go but I think we are Can I go back to the question of

independence. A lot of people are exercised by the finer details of

independence, you might call it the tittle-tattle of independence it is

keeping the pound, the role of the BBC, the Royal Family. In a recent

interview in the Guardian, Leanne Wood Said and keeping the pound,

that is a matter of discussion, on the BBC, that is a matter for

people to look cut down the line, on the royal family, that would be

a matter for it question in the referendum. People do not know

where they stand on the question of independence. It is early days. I

think we have to really get our economy in a stable position where

we are producing wealth in Wales. That is the only way we can make a

realistic argument for independence. But if Elin Jones's timeline was to

be met because he wanted to see independence after Plaid Cymru

government came to being, that these, surely, the kinds of details

we would have access to now. now necessarily, know. Plaid Cymru

is not putting an independence referendum at the top of our agenda.

The economy is at the top of the agenda. That is where we want to

see the focus of our work and the focus of largely banned the Welsh

Government of work as well. -- of Welsh Labour and the Welsh

Government as well. Time to find out now what is going on inside the

conference hall. This is the end of that the panel

discussion. These are the two Assembly Members who are our

members of the sustainability Commission. They are in discussion

with Oxfam and the WWF. They are PP and were not necessarily Plaid

Cymru eight supporters. -- they're I am not sure how clearly people

heard that question. This is a question from the floor and the

question of sustainability and sustainable development.

Has anybody got anything to say on that? It is very concerning in

Wales and in developing countries as well that there are an awful lot

of corporations to want to go in them liberalised not only provision

of goods but of services so they can move in and take over water

supplies, education and health. That brings back best to the

beginning where I said that Oxfam is working in 92 countries, the

world is global now. Whatever happens in those discussions,

whatever happens with climate change in Asia it will all come

back to roost here. Any more questions? One final question from

the floor? You have been very quiet, you have anything to say about what

has been raised so far? Can I ask about retro fitting. You refer to

it in a Commons earlier. This triple bottom line that has been

referred to, in terms of fuel poverty, what other ideals would

you bring forward in terms of tackling fuel poverty because the

government tells us it is across a government priority? Is that

rhetoric? We are not seeing any serious bends being made. -- bends.

Statistic Sara bit of an issue. In the short term there is a genuine

problem because I keep hearing governments and George Osborne

talking about we will do this, that and the other. Globally, there is

an increase in demand for energy. Long-term fuel prices and not going

to do anything apart from going up. We're trying to sort out the

resilience of homes and people to cope with that. The people who are

in worse fuel poverty arak nowhere near the areas you would consider

normally poor. They are in the oil fired Raeburn land somewhere in

Powys or wherever. They don't have access to cheap forms of

electricity. Everybody else, they are relatively cheap. There is a

lack of joy and appear in terms of come if you go back to your

planning question, lot of people don't want wind farms, biomass

plant, but actually what kind of energy supply is going to be

suitable for you in the long term in the future? They have been some

fantastic projects that I have seen in my role as eight Dragons then

type of judge. Fantastic ones looking at how do we get a

localised the supply of biomass, sort out and that for -- and sort

that out. That was an Michael from WWF. This panel is overrunning a

little bit. We expect the UN would's leadership speech shortly.

I am sure we will hear more about energy when Leanne Wood fleshes out

the details of the green deal she would be talking about in her

conference beat what is slightly delayed because of some translation

issues which Plaid Cymru have had in the main conference hall. As the

build-up continues, we can rejoin Tomos Livingstone who is mingling

with delegates. I am still outside by the canal. We

have three guests here. We have Vaughan Hughes here. We also have

looked James from plight -- Plaid Cymru Youth. What is the secret

from a success in a by-election? When we are able to engage with the

people, when they are allowed to concentrate on Welsh issues as

opposed to British ones, they chose Plaid Cymru in Barry and Anglesey.

How is a Leanne Wood going down in Anglesey? It is a Plaid Cymru

heartland. Are there any tensions are problems? The one thing that

she has done is explode the myth that there is a North Wales a

different sort of nationalist, be a consultative sort of nationalist.

She has exploded this myth of there being several parts commit parties

and is scarcely a strange one up in north west Wales. -- and a very

strange one up in north-west Wales. Your task is to look at

organisations that Leanne Wood put store by. How important is it for

the parties to get this right? is absolutely crucial. We can get

people out of motor and cambers that the St-- at the right times.

We had a review of the party before Leanne Wood was elected. Different

from other parties we are remembered prevent roots up kind of

party and we want to not only use our people were but two want to use

their ideas and engage them in the journey we are about to take. There

is a lot of excitement about Leanne Wood's speech today at the start we

wanted hear her engaging with people -- want to hear engage my

people outside of Plaid Cymru. difficult is it to achieve people

voting for Plaid Cymru? What you have to do, as politicians, is to

see how you can make things better for people in Wales, how we can

take people with us but what we can give back to them. We now have

youth unemployment, unemployment in general, we had a review over the

summer which shows that the London parties have allowed the Welsh

economy to shrink since the late 1980s. We can't allow this

situation to persist. We need positive ideas to deal with this

and enable our businesses to get credit and looking at inward

investment. We need to keep the Welsh pound in Wales. Now would

like to bring it looked James in here. A lot of Leanne Wood pos mac

support came from Plaid Cymru Youth. How do you rate was she has done?

It has been very positive. Leanne has had a lot of support from young

people in the party not only before I came to the conference this

morning, I was talking to my grandmother about Leanne Wood's

message and she is very positive. It is a message resonates with the

whole of the Welsh nation. Looking forward to that speech when we do

get to it eventually, not a lot of mentions of independence. It is

focusing on the economy. Does it get people enthused to join Plaid

Cymru? We want to see a plan for Wales and I expect the an's message

to be very positive about Plaid Cymru having a plan for Wales which

is in stark contrast to other parties, the British parties, who

want to have Wales's future on the sidelines. I will last you the same

question. Is this decision to push independence to the sidelines and

concentrate on the economy, is that the right call? We have to do with

the economy. It is of concern to the people of Wales. We want an

independent Wales because it would be a fairer Wales and the more

prosperous Wales. We have to do with the economy. We have a moral

obligation to deal with unemployment. We have seen whether

Labour Party's dereliction of duty has done to Wales. We have heard a

lot about independence in the leadership campaign and we will not

hear much on it this afternoon. economy is the overriding concern.

Before we can do something positive about the economy we have to get

our hands on the levers of economic power. Through independence, one

belongs to the other. It is a matter of emphasis. Leanne Wood is

right in putting the economy at the forefront of her speech. She has

not delivered it yet, we're all waiting to hear what she has to say.

We have to get our hands on that the levers of economic power.

did hear a guest speaker earlier today, the situation is difficult

in Scotland -- is different in Scotland. Scotland is another

country and we must remember that. I think there has been a tendency

for Plaid Cymru to think that we can copy exactly what is happening

in Scotland for historical reasons. When the Act of Union happened in

Wales, from lots and lots of differences, the legal system, all

sorts of differences exist between in -- Wales and Scotland. We are

not where Scotland is at the moment. We are awe-inspiring -- aspiring to

where they are now. Scotland has a different country, does it put

pressure on? The position of the Scottish National Party has put

constitutional issues at the centre of political life as a there's a

lot of scaremongering going on. It has changed the political landscape

and when Scotland has incurred the Independent, we will be left with

an entity which is England and Wales which is an entity we don't

want to live in. We're out of time. Plenty more to discuss their. We

We are joined by the Plaid Cymru parliamentary leader -- Elfyn Llwyd.

As a sceptic turned convert, do you have a close working relationship

with Leanne Wood? I always have. More of the same. How would you

describe your first six months under her tenure? It is always

difficult -- difficult and a new 10 year. She has gone back to grass

roots. She is inclusive and likes to speak with all parts of the

party, including the grass roots, as I mentioned. She has done that,

and from now warn you will see a different emphasis. She has

listened carefully and been debating. She knows whether

membership ought to go, and I think she will express that in his speech

today, and in the coming months I think we will find out the plans,

where we want to end up, and what she has cleaned in the past few

months. You use the word difficult, it has often been heard by Plaid

spokes people over the last 18 months, the word difficult or

challenging, in interviews after elections. Is there a risk that

that has become part of the Plaid lexicon? Leanne has had a few

months, so I am not saying that in any shape or form. It is not meant

to be a backhanded deal has sold, let me stress that. -- backhand --

backhanded insult. For someone to lead a party is different from what

they have done before. By definition it is a new spring. She

knows where she wants to go -- new thing. She has learnt from the

membership. She is inclusive as a politician, not only with us in the

party but in the street. She is very good at making contact on the

street. That is one of her very good winning points and we will see

that in the coming months. Let us flesh out the details of what we

will hear this afternoon. By all accounts, she has taken her cue

from the work of the philosopher DJ Davies from the beginning of the

last century. Somebody who stressed that the relationship between

nationalism and socialism hung by a free Wales, if you like, so she is

keeping the theme of independence but bringing the economy into that.

She is. This seems to be an acceptance. In the Guardian this

morning it said in terms of Plaid Cymru as a party, Wales is an

under-achiever and it was time to do something about it and it was

time to re- calibrate the message. It is not like we are back at the

conferences where nobody mentioned independence and journalists were

trying to spot somebody using the word. It is not a case of that but

striking a deal with voters to say, clearly at the moment night the nor

plied -- Plaid feel independence is right at the moment, but we ask you

to put your faith and has to be in government to prove that something

can be done about the economy, and when that is done, we will convince

you this is a realistic option, independence is a realistic option

for the future. That is the leap of faith they're asking voters to make,

and the deal that for them, electorally, politically, is

crucial, because they admit they have not managed to succeed there

but -- so far, and that is why they have not succeeded on electoral

terms. Whole Williams was making the point -- how will Williams,

that Wales was being underfunded to the tune of �680 million. Nobody

told him that in a double-dip recession we are unlikely to get

that. In the chamber there were nodding heads from every party. We

said this years ago about the squeeze, but evidently everybody

now agrees. It just shows you, actually, the lack of agreement

between the other parties. He was there, I was there, and I am glad

he said it and proud. Even the Conservatives to Merv from that you

now, but why does it take so many years to realise what we say? We

consistently stand up for Wales as he did in that debate, and nobody

tried to interrupt him. A very fine speech, but he was making his bike

so sickly and well, and we have to do that every time -- making his

point succinctly and well. We are now getting the call from Labour

took electrified lines. They did nothing in power. It takes a party

with ambition to get these messages through. With public sector debt at

65 per cent, the equivalent of GDP, do you not accept any reform to the

Barnett formula is as far away as the economy? Let's see what the

commission comes up with. We don't know that. In 12 months' time we

will be discussing their Hilton Commission report. Time moves on!

Exactly. These days, you can't just leave them on the self and shape,

because we are in a seat -- squeeze, we must avoid this. We must

consistently bang the drum. We do that well and hard on behalf of

Wales. Eventually these things happen. It takes a while but if we

didn't do it, nobody would, and that is the point I am trying to

make. On the economy, Betsan, how hard is it to get your voice heard?

It is cluttered territory, everybody prioritising the economy,

we have the coalition giving way as electrification and the Labour

government in Wales pursue Enterprise Zones, the new green --

Green New Deal By Plaid Cymru. I suppose it is whatever fits with an

individual voter. It is exceptionally hard, but right to

say that what else at this pup -- point could Plaid Cymru do. The aim

for Leanne Wood is to focus four- square on the economy, to try and

out left weight -- Labour in some areas of Wales. Trying to make a

point from Plaid Cymru's point of view that Welsh Labour is attacking

the Welsh economy as they would see it, but that at economy is also in

decline and a Labour in Cardiff Bay. Therefore, what you need to come

out with is a positive response and say, OK, this is what we would do.

The question is to what extent will there be flesh on those bones and

how soon. We know there is a commission and Adam Price looking

at closing the office gap, but what are the policies? While waiting for

something to happen on the Barnett formula, which all parties in Wales

now agrees something needs to be done, but as you say, is unlikely

to happen for a long time, what in the meantime due offer? What

positively do people understand is an Plaid Cymru policy on the Welsh

economy? I am sorry to be the bearer of the bad news, but if you

read the national treasure of plight Cymru, Dyfed Tristan

Davies's words, it says I'm sure our friends fighting in the

European and Westminster elections will understand the 2016 elections

must be a priority for Plaid Cymru. Does that mean Plaid Cymru in the

past has made the mistake of throwing the sources and European

elections rather than concentrating on Assembly elections, where it has

lost out? Possibly, but we will not complete the divest the other two

elections of funds, but it may be the case but we need to concentrate

on the National Assembly elections, It is a comparison often made with

the SNP, and that is something they have turned to, the prioritising of

the Scottish parliament. We will ensure proper representation at

parliamentary level. I believe the way things are looking, two-and-

half years is much longer in terms of the next election, but I do

believe it is right that we concentrate fully on putting

forward the strongest possible election forced down in Cardiff Bay,

because at the end of the day, that is where Wales's future lies.

on the economy and devolution of taxation. You're asking for

everything. Haven't you ever wondered, be careful what you wish

for? We are asking for everything knowing full well we won't get it!

You ask for wealth and won't get its. That's the point of this. But

we are discussing various ideas about commissions and so on, and

they do believe there will be some forms of taxation coming to Wales,

and it's only right that taxation is also the responsibility to spend

wisely, because you are accountable for it. I don't know if you read it,

but there was work done by the Labour Assembly Member Mike Hedges,

talking about tax avoidance, economic distortion and so on. Have

you taken into account those types of effect if you have everything

devolved? We have taken certain matters into account. I don't

believe for a moment that you will get the whole slate we asked for. I

have been in politics long enough to realise that much, but if we are

talking about green taxes, for example, and a limited form of

income tax, and repatriating value- added tax, these things are feeble

and happen in other parts of the UK, of why not in Wales? -- these

things are feasible. Then we could get the economy going. The other

point we need to look at his if Northern Ireland are able to deal

with corporation tax changes, Wales should also, because that would be

key in any economic regeneration. Thank you. We can no joined Tomos

I am joined by Heledd Fychan, parliamentary candidate for Plaid

Cymru and a member of the policy forum. Leanne Wood has decided to

hold a root and branch policy review, looking at a party policies.

We have not heard much about new policies from Leanne Wood. Is it

the right approach to take this in- depth look at the party's position?

I think it is a very logical approach. We are obviously living

in tough economic times, and every party has to be about their

policies. It is easy to promise the world at election time and say we

will do these wonderful things, but the reality is there isn't much

money out there so we are forced to think creatively and think about

our policies, can we afford those, and what to prioritise in order to

get the economy moving again and more people in work. The work is

going on, a work-in-progress, but what do you think we will see being

announced eventually? Unfortunately, I am not a psychic, and I am glad

that we are a very democratic party, because -- at the moment much is

open in all areas. We are focused on education at the moment had

heard a lot this morning about ensuring everyone has access to

education and ensuring high standards as well. But we need to

look more fully, if we are to go down the independence route, we

need to think about our priorities in an independent Wales and think

every policy area needs to be covered and we need to justify

these policies as well. mentioned independence. As we

understand we will not hear a lot about Leanne Wood about

independence. Is she right to play down that part of Plaid Cymru's

appeal? It is not a matter of playing down, because it was at the

heart of Leanne's campaign and we had a lot about it at the spring

conference. But you don't want to hear a party the day hearing the

same thing repeatedly, and to be honest, people want to hear about

the economy. That is what worries people at the moment. We need to

emphasise that and come up with new, fresh ideas. We are fed up of

hearing other parties sympathise, but even those in government aren't

doing anything to change situations. We have a lead a full of ideas who

has an energetic team and I'm really looking forward to hearing

her ideas about developing an economy that will work for Wales.

To think we will hear those ideas in the speech? We haven't heard a

great deal so far. We haven't, so I am excited to hear about those. We

have heard from me and in the past about her ideas on developing the

green economy, and I think we will see that developed. We will have to

wait with interest. Thank you. Not much longer to wait, so we were

handed back to Allott in the studio. We can see Leanne Wood in the

conference hall on screen, and she will be there in person in about

two minutes. Betsan, in the meantime, let's talk about Leanne

Wood and her profile. We don't often see Welsh politicians getting

as much coverage as UK politicians. We see here at first Minister's

Questions. Her strategy so far has been, First Minister, D you agree

with me, and the answer is often yes. Where has that got her? That

has confused people because during it was their campaign it was clear

people want to the message, that she was from a part of Wales which

took on Labour in the Rhondda Valley, she was a fighter to go out

on the street and take an aggressive message to Labour on

their own turf and beat them, though that is not what we had seen

in the chamber. I was talking earlier about how those parts work

together to create a coherent whole, a message all of Wales. What is the

tactic going on here, why are we only hear one voice in the chamber

and another elsewhere, how will that workers a message? There are

still some people saying there are questions over how that will come

together. How would Plaid insiders quantify the success of this

speech? They said all along but they don't expect to have voted for

a leader who will be a brilliant performer in the chamber. They

didn't expect to see Shine there. Where they want her to shine is on

the streets, talking to the people of Wales. We are not around that

often when she does that. But clearly at an autumn conference,

this one annual conference, they will want to be convinced that that

is happening and is working, because that is why they voted for

We have 30 seconds away from hearing from Leanne Wood. We have

had technical difficulties with the translation equipment. Hence the 30

minutes delay. The stage is set as we can see. The lights are down and

Vaughan Roderick can take us through proceedings.

Please give a warm welcome to Plaid Cymru leader, Leanne Wood.

Assembly Members are all on the stage including Dafydd Elis-Thomas

which ran into a spot of bother before these some -- before the

summer. He stands for the ovation A warm reception for the Plaid

Cymru leader. It is an honour to stand here today

and address you in my first leader speech to our annual conference. It

is a cause an opportunity to present myself to a new guardians.

What to you here and see is what you get with me. No varnish, Nova

near, just what. -- no Veneer, just would. Those of you in the hall

know the kind of leader that you elected. Someone at a friend to

speak her mind, someone who puts principle at the core of her

politics. There are times when that is not easy, Times when it may be

not to our advantage in the short run. But in the long run of

political life and politics is a marathon and every sprint, I tell

you this, people have seen through politicians that say one thing and

do another, who promise the earth and then leave a bitter taste of

disappointment in their wake. People are thirsting for something

new and I am determined that is what we are going to give them. I

have always said that I wanted to do politics a little differently

and for me our conferences a space for the leader and not just to

speak but also to listen. I would like to thank you for the many

words of advice and encouragement that you have sent to me over

recent months. We have got four exciting years ahead of us and it

is my aim to cross the finishing line in 2016 as the winner, leading

Plaid Cymru the government of Wales. We have got to get over that

finishing line together. I am going to need each and every one of you

to roll up your sleeves and committed to the hard work

necessary to build the organisation and the momentum that we will need

to get over that line as winners. The world champion cyclist speeding

through this mid Wales town today and in the race to win, not to do

well, to win. Plaid Cymru which is good luck to all of them. Wishes.

We have come up to the heart of Wales. As the National Eisteddfod,

the applied Cymru conference moves around the country usually between

north and south will stamp when I joined Plaid Cymru in, part of the

firm for me as a young men Bowe was coming to know my country -- part

of the Fen has come to know my country. In coming to know Wales I

came to love her and in loving her to wish for her transformation.

This isn't just that seek a deer it is the lives of people we know and

the communities where we left calls me to act. The disabled person who

is House and because there is nothing suitable for him in his

local area or the woman I meant who was crying, I can now feed my

family, and she thanked me for any emergency food parcel. Although a

man who contacted my office thinking of killing himself when he

heard that his benefits were going to be cut. One thing that is not

going to work is waiting and hoping that the problems will go well way.

We live in very hard times but it is also a time which is full of

potential and possibilities. There is another way of working. That is

what we can do, this is a very special year for Plaid Cymru it. We

have been new leader but more importantly, it is time for a new

start, a new team, it is time for us to draw up new plans and a new

route for the nation. We bring their new hope with us to Brecon as

we come together in this conference today. Here, 600 years ago it took

this summer, our last spring's won his last battle. -- our last Prince

won his last battle. Not the first although last Welsh meant to lose

his life fighting far away from his country. So here in Brecon, he was

last seen. It is appropriate that the conference here is here for his

special day. The great wizard as Shakespeare called him disappears

into the mists of history. But his spirit is alive. When the Sunday

Times made the survey in 1989 of the because figures of the

millennium, he was above Galileo and Isaac Newton. It shows that

although we are very small nation weekend do great things. End their

a Plaid Cymru government very great things are possible. Of course, we

remember another great Welshman this year as well, Gwynfor Evans.

He turned hopes into reality by a winning our first parliamentary

Westminster seats 100 years ago to last week. He was born in Barry. He

moved to the north and then to the West has a bet it was all important

to him that Wales was one and threw everything he was still one of the

Barry Boys. Just think of it, what would he have thought if he had

heard a Platt can remember what have won their seat in Barry. -- a

Plaid Cymru member had won his seat in Barry. With a swing of 16%,

Plaid chemistry is winning from Anglesey to the whale. -- Mark

Plaid Cymru in. We should win everywhere else in between. We have

come to Powys. That huge bit in the middle. It extends from mercy of to

the Vale of Glamorgan, from the Black Mountains up north. It is

important to remember our unity as a nation. Some tried to divide us,

north and south, Welsh speakers are non-Welsh speakers, rural areas and

the Valleys, Plaid come agree it rejects these divisions. We reject

all divisions. We love every part It was on a plate mountain not far

from here that we still have no admittance signs that Gwyn Evans

objected to so fiercely but believe me there are no no-go areas for

Plaid Cymru. There never has been and they never will be. We're the

only party for Wales in Wales. We're the only party that we can

say we speak always for the benefit of Wales. We're not going to stop

until we have a government also. Eight government which will speak

always for the benefit about one nation. Wales now needs a

government that thinks ahead and plans to protect all those people

who are at risk of sinking beneath the terrible tide of austerity,

wave after wave of cuts to jobs, benefits, services, cuts in pay and

in real income. Wales are now he's a government that takes

responsibility and that tries to solve our problems not just blames

others. What does that mean? It means a government up attacks Welsh

pensioners from cuts in council tax, by doing a deal with local

government, like the one reached in Scotland rather than simply acting

as the Tories' henchmen. A government and make sure I gets the

budget for Remploy factories devolved to Wales before a factory

is closed. We need the government that will ease the burden on that

mother who has too much week at the end of the money for step she needs

it government that make sure her kids are fed and well educated, to

make sure her government -- of families warm in winter. That is

what she needs and what we need her to know is that air Plaid Cymru

government will deliver that. As a party we have four years of hard

work ahead of us. Like all those Olympian Paralympians, the prize we

seek for Wales will not be won in the final two weeks of the race

itself. It will be won in all those Mon-Sun years of door knocking, in

all weathers, tweeting all hours, in the million conversations we

will need to have to win the trust of the nation. We come to Brecon,

the town where two rivers meet, but ask, it is a fitting meeting-place

for the party with two rivers of thought also mingle. Two attributes

use of the great Welsh radical tradition, the green of Welsh

nationalism, green because of our love for our land but green as well

for the love of the planet that we share and the red of socialism. The

red, like our bled, to symbolise our common humanity. If we add in

the white of PC we get the red, the White and the green. Three colours

united under one banner, the colours of our country. Geology

bequeathed Wales with mineral riches they should have been a

blessing but for too many turned out to be a curse. We can not make

the same mistakes again. We have Our national, natural resources are

our inheritance, Alastair harness for the benefit of the people of

Wales. -- ours to halve its. The Green economy can be a motor for

our second industrial resort -- revolution. It already employs more

than financial services and telecommunications combined. And we

can be innovators, as well, a Cardiff-based company is the first

in world to use a process similar to photosynthesis in its patented

solar film. It is also the first in the world to use 100 per cent

renewable energy to produce renewable technology. Now that's

what I call so so it -- sustainability. But as the Welsh

Government's own sustainability Commissioner, Peter Davies, has

argued, we are not realising our full potential. Opportunities are

being wasted. So what will we do? One of the first acts of a Plaid

Cymru government would be to establish our own National Power

House, for green energy, investing in our national infrastructure from

tidal energy to community and wind and hydropower, focused on our own

needs, and yes, where appropriate, exporting this valuable commodity,

but he is the difference: Repatriating the profits and

reinvest it -- reinvesting them for Over the years, people have

sacrificed so much, like the miners who lost their lives this time last

year in the tragedy at the Gleision mine in the Swansea Valley. For

many, those images, unfolding in front of us on the rolling news

media, stoked up deep memories and emotions for those people old

enough to remember a time when people's lives were littered with

such cruel events. Our thoughts are with the friends and families of

those whose lives were so tragically cut short. As Gwyn Alf

Williams once said, we as a nation have been around for a millennium

and a half. It is about time we had It is time, as one of Plaid's

founders, G -- D J Davies said, for us to cultivate. We must now take

control of our own economic destiny. We must take responsibility for

where we are going. And one -- what better way than to his seat and

support our own home-grown businesses? Locally, family, co-

operatively, community and, these are the businesses we want to see

become the bedrock of the Welsh economy. He in rural Wales I am

very much mind for up the crisis in Welsh agriculture, particularly in

the dairy industry. The crisis has driven many people to the edge of

desperation. Many Welsh farmers were on the brink of going in --

and there with the milk price dispute earlier this summer, but

this crisis strikes to the heart of our local fault system and has the

potential to hurt us all -- local food system. We need more people

producing food, not fewer. We must be helping, not hindering, what is

by definition this most essential of industries. 2013 across the

world will be a year of global food crisis, extremes of temperature and

drought in places as far apart as the American Midwest, the Russian

steppes and the Australian outback, will mean food shortage is on an

unprecedented scale. Already comprises have risen by 25 per cent

worldwide, and are set to rise higher. In parts of Africa and Asia,

this may trigger famine and social upheaval on a vast scale. We are

fortunate to live in a green, fertile, wind and rain swept land.

You can tell this summer in Wales, the rain is warm! But we should

never, ever take that for granted. Being at the end of a long and

distant food chain, or relying on oil imports to power our cars or

Utah homes, is neither sustainable nor a ecologically resilient in the

long run -- or heat our homes. We have the capacity to be energy

independent. We have the capacity to be self-sufficient in water if

Westminster allows us, and we can be food secure, producing more of

our food locally through local -- for local consumption. And early

action for Applied Cymru government would be to set ambitious but

achievable targets to get our cars and Futures renew plea, weaning

ourselves of our addiction to or I'll -- When You're ugly. After all,

Wales gave the world the fuel cell. You know, it's important in

politics to get the right perspective. We must see Wales

standing -- as a small country, standing on the Brecon Beacons

though, we do not see smallness. Behind to stretch the southern

seaboard and the valleys. Look north and west, and they you will

see below, green hills of the uplands, and beyond them, the

mountains of the North. Look at that landscape and reject any

doubts you may have. This small nation has within it vast resources

and potential. We have, and we can, achieve the greatest of things. But

first, they come to critical ingredients. -- they come two

critical ingredients. Hard work and self-belief. Nowhere has this been

more evident than the Olympics this year. Wales achieved its highest

ever charity -- tally of gold medals in the Olympics and

Paralympics. We won more medals per head than any of the nation in

There, of course, we have Welsh athletes in a Welsh team,

representing Wales. They will focus all their energy on winning for

Wales, and we will do the same. Their success has allowed us some

small distraction from what continue to be very difficult times.

To us in Plaid Cymru it was obvious from the start but the Westminster

coalition strategy was never going to work -- that the coalition

strategy. Wales needs jobs, it is as simple as that, and plenty of

work needs doing. Like Roosevelt in his economic plans in the United

States of the 1930s, Wales needs a new deal, but Green New Deal.

Aiming to provide skills, work, hope and opportunity for a new

generation who have a right to believe that life can be better.

The policies being pursued by the UK Government in Wales have taken a

crisis and turned it into a disaster, and we all know too well

who has been hurt the most by austerity. Just look at the victims

of welfare reform to see who is paying. So let's be clear,

austerity has nothing to do with economics. It has everything to do

with politics. The recession has given this government a golden

opportunity to attack the welfare state and those who rely on it, and

attack they have. Where is the opposition? Who is defending the

unemployed from the savage attacks? From what I can see the official

opposition offers austerity light, hardly surprising after Labour gave

a slight touch regulation, private finance initiatives and regional

pay. Their latest idea is Prix distribution, short hand for

undermining the mistakes Labour made in government. Pike Cymru's

economic Commission has laid bare the challenge we face -- Plaid

Cymru. Everywhere we look we see the symptoms of our predicament.

Wales has the highest brain-drain of all the nations of Britain,

almost 40 per cent of the graduates of universities in Wales have left

Wales within six months of graduating, and that compares to

just six per cent in England and seven per cent in Northern Ireland.

They leave, and still leave disproportionately, for London,

because opportunities simply aren't here. It's important to remember

and continue to instil in young people the importance of education.

Throughout our recent history, those who went before us understood

education's value, especially as a route out of poverty. The miners

gave us libraries, the manic Street Preachers said. My mother

encouraged me, I might say nagged me, for a better word, to work hard

in school by holding up their hands and saying to me "do you want red

raw hands like this?" And when I think of the fate of this country,

I often think of her message to me written in the lines of those

outstretched hands. That was 25 years ago in the 1980s, at a time

every bit as challenging as this. Then, we in Wales were creating new

businesses at the rest -- as the rest of the UK. Now we generate

less than two-thirds the new businesses per person than the rest

of the UK. And the situation is even worse when it comes to inward

investment. In the early 1990s, Wales, with just five per cent of

the population, was securing one in every five of all foreign

investment projects into the UK. Now we are managing less than two

per cent, one 10th of what we managed 20 years ago. And Mrs

Rodney's Welsh cakes are doing a better job of selling Wales abroad

than anything being done by this Welsh Government. How did that

It is plain to see that the Welsh economy is seriously

underperforming. Our economic and development is the single biggest

hurdle to our progress as a nation. It condemns us to dependence on a

government in Westminster of which ever colour, which will never have

Wales's interests as its overriding priority. It doesn't have to be

this way. Hard decline, are poverty, is not and never has been

inevitable. It is for all these reasons that we have declared

raising Welsh economic performance to a level equal to the rest of the

UK the overriding priority for this party for the decade to come. To

get there, we will need to use all the skills at our disposal, public,

private, voluntary. In a small nation, we cannot hide away in our

sector. We have to work together. Our economic Commission is looking

after comprehensive strategy. -- after strategy. I have asked the

commission to look at three sets of measures fora Plaid Cymru

government to implement. Firstly, establishing a new mutual

innovation and enterprise Wales, i e Wales. Bringing together the

skills of the people in the public and private sectors, to push

forward a Welsh New Deal. It was DJ Davies in the Thirties who first

called for a Development Authority for Wales. It is time again to

reinvigorate, regenerate and recreate a new catalyst for

creativity in a form fit for the Wales of the 21st century. Secondly,

if the London-based banks won't lend to Welsh businesses, we need

to create our own financial system so that more of the money made in

Wales stays in Wales. Channel 4 has its own bank of Dave. Let's had our

Rome back off -- our own Bank of Dai. Let's turn the existing

patchwork of community lenders into a National Savings super mutual.

Public sector pension funds in Wales have billions in assets, �6

billion in total, hardly any of which is invested in Wales. Surely

we can do better. As part of our further recommendations to the Silk

Commission, we will seek the park - - the power to offer tax breaks

similar to those currently available in Canada, to those

pension funds prepared to invest in their own communities. Investing

two or three per cent of our own workers assets in Wales will help

transform the economy while presenting no risk at all to the

future returns to scheme members. That is a flavour of some of the

things we can and will do in government. We can do great things.

At Westminster away team led by Elfyn Llwyd will offer alternatives

to the UK Government strategy. I will do the same when I meet the

new Welsh Secretary. The sad truth is planned beat me be a long time

coming. Government after government in Westminster believe there was

only one game in town, one industry in one city and that industry was

the city and the city was London. Now, that industry has been found

wanting and so the cupboard is bare. There is no point in looking to

London for our salvation. Changing their head of UK plc will make as

much difference to Wales as changing the head of Barclay's has

done for the culture of the city of London. Personalities come and go

in London's corridors of power but the priorities and the problems for

Wales persist. The only way we will build his from the bottom up. As DG

Davies said, as the 1930s economic crisis raced around us, it is Wales

alone that can lift Wales from the dust. There is every reason for us

to be hopeful. Wales can do great things. We can fight not just the

battle but a war against injustice, poverty and adversity and we can

win. We can finish the course and claim the prize, not far ourselves,

not for this party, but for Wales. For the people and the land that we

all love. And they have achieved my mother's ambition, I don't have her

red, raw hands but I have her heart of could it and I pledge to you

this, I will work as long and as hard as this body and mind allows

me to get us to way we want to be in the sure knowledge that if we

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 55 seconds

believe, if we really believe Wales That was Leanne Wood in a speech

that focused in large parts on giving the economy in Wales a kick-

start. She promised a new deal and a Plaid Cymru government which

would focus on Wales's energy needs with the profits are redistributed

and she also said that a Plaid Cymru government would create an

investment in to prise -- investment enterprise. Her speech

end like speeches in the past which have tended to concentrate on the

perceived lack of educational attainment in Wales, the

reorganisation of the NHS. One might have thought you were

listening to the Green Party has some stages. It is interesting that

we saw a couple of shots of Adam Price in the audience. We know that

he has been advising Leanne Wood and there was some interesting new

ideas there, not spell that in any great details. There was talk of

the not-for-profit company that owns Welsh Water. A similar body to

look after the energy sector in Wales. It sounded like a recreation

of the Welsh Development Agency although which some sort of tinge.

A regional bank for Wales was talked about. We expected the

Conservatives to be spelling out proposals along those lines in the

pretty near future. There were a lot of ideas there but not spelled

out in any huge amount of detail. One word that we did not here was

the word independence. All those things you have mentioned there

would be the bedrock of independence. Plaid Cymru are

saying when voters say they are too poor a tip been independent, Plaid

Cymru have raised their hands and agreed. Maybe we should be

prosperous first and then move forward. This is spelling out ideas

to do that. She attacked the job- creating record in Wales compared

to the 1980s. Cool was in charge of the Welsh economy up until 18

months ago? It was Ieuan Wyn Jones as the economic minister. The

successes she talked about, who was in charge when those were coming in,

it was Peter Walker in the Welsh Office. She had to tread quite

carefully around them. Plaid Cymru would have to accept some

responsibility for the way the Welsh economy is. Would you say

this is an ambitious project which she is starting? She talk about

cultivating our own garden. There is nothing much to cultivate in

Wales at the moment. I would say what the strategy here is to

present Plaid Cymru it to the people of Wales as a party that

isn't obsessively about independence and the Welsh language.

I talking about things that Plaid Cymru don't talk about very much it

is about positioning the party, moving perception of the party in

the Ayes of the voters. That is a very slow process. That is what it

intended to do. Whether those policies will work, I think some

will be picked up by are the parties. It sounds to me like the

Bank of Wales may be an idea. I can't imagine any reasons why

Labour or the Liberal Democrat whip a pose that idea. -- would a pose

that idea. Some of that is ambitious but some of it might be

stuff that is coming in any way. Many of the main political parties

have toyed with sustainability of the past. The met Ben's had a green

tinge to them, the Conservatives had a great green Porsche at the

moment to stop his is a danger this is here today, gone tomorrow

territory? The Green Party had the problem that much of the

sustainability agenda is not long term. It is about fundamental

changes. If you are in an economic Piat as we are now where there is

genuine economic hurt, people are saying a gradual transformation to

a greener, clean economy may be all very well but we need quick fixes

now. We need jobs now. That maybe the difficulty of the stop as a

Saturday it will buy Leanne Wood time as a leader. Something else

that was absent today was no guarantees as to how many Assembly

Members would be returned, no guarantees as to when we would see

the next Plaid Cymru government. If she was quite cautious.

elections are a long way off. Before we get to the next elections

we're going to have the Scottish independence referendum. Whichever

way that goes, that is going to transform politics in the UK, in

Wales, in Scotland either way. We need to do any predictions before

we know the result of that referendum. It is impossible for me

and impossible for any it the leader of any party. There was no

great need for her to set targets today. There are no elections

coming up apart from police commissioners where they are not

standing. Many thanks. Let's go out and get all the reaction to that

speech with Tomos Livingstone. I am joined by a Lindsay Whittle.

Do we know a little bit more about the vision Leanne Wood has? I think

we know a lot more. She talked about regenerating Wales and

regenerating the economy of Wales. She talked about politicians be

more honest and open. I think she practises what she preaches in that

avenue. You must remember that Leanne Wood could have taken any

increase in salary when she became leader of this party and she did

not do so. That is a principled politician. You saw a principled

politician on stage today. They is nothing much about health -- and

there was nothing much about health in a speech today. We might is not

put a sign on the Severn Bridge say Wales's court -- is closed for the

day. We need jobs. Caerphilly is a local authority that Plaid Cymru

used to rent but it does not any more. What did you hear today that

will help you win back the control of that local authority? It was an

excellent speech. Jobs are the lifeblood of any community. She

talked about sustainability, without a decent economy you can

not run a health service. She had the emphasis right. I thought it

was sincere, almost as she said the right tone. We will hear about her

background. She talked about her mother. Does that help to appeal to

people when you're going out canvassing? I think it does help to

relate to people. What she said today will help get her across to

people. She will be accepted by people from all over Wales. She

appealed to all parts of Wales in a speech. Simon Thomas, some of the

policy details we heard bare, Leanne Wood was talking about a

not-for-profit electrical company at up our these ideas into workers

mac she is building on things that have been discussed and a party for

a few years now. She is putting flesh on the bones. The important

message there she got across today was that we are rich in our

resources but we have been exploited. She was talking about

the closing of that circle make sure the profits from wind energy,

for example, I'll return to the communities. We need to support

local businesses. That is about making things better for local

businesses are making things better for the environment as well. She is

talking about a development agency, will be used to have the WDA until

recently. She talked very strongly about a public body but a private

part of that and she wanted a partnership between the private

sector and the public sector in Wales. We will have to be clear

that the Welsh Labour government has not created a single new job

since we had this massive us. We need to think afresh about how we

can get money circulating in the economy. As a counsellor, Leanne

Wood was talking about having a pension funds investing more in the

communities. How practical is that? It is feasible. She talked about 3%

of the pension fund being used in that way. I sit on the board of the

Welsh pension fund and it is something we have looked at. We

have got used the money and the resources available. Billions of

pounds have been exported from Wales over the years by companies

who are based anyway -- anywhere bar Wales. We have to generate

within our country. Leanne talked about wanting to reach people

outside the hall today. The talking of her mother, many people in Wales

talk about the love of the family and I thought was a wonderful touch.

She dedicated her mind and her body to that caused a metal bar was

powerful. Membership went up when she became leader. That is great.

Many thanks to all of my guests. It is time we handed back to the

studio. I am joined by the president of

Plaid Cymru. It was a speech very different to the ones we usually

hear from a Plaid Cymru leader. It focused on green issues, we did not

hear the word education, health mentioned once. Is that the

strategy for Plaid Cymru? I thought it was an inspirational speech. She

had the audience eating out of her hand. Anybody who ignores the power

Leanne Wood brings to Welsh You have to get the economy right

to get the resources for health and social services and everything else

she mentioned. When you go down the pub, they are talking about a lack

of money in their pockets, but also in Wales they are talking about

educational attainment, talking to Plaid Cymru about the health

service on the brink with centralisation of services, but we

didn't hear a word about that. have to get the resources to get

the services we want. She was concentrating on his failure over

20 years, successive governments in London and indeed Labour in Cardiff,

failing to get this right. We have to crack this one to get a future

for all our people and the services they need. In communities in Wales,

are they talking about a new national Power House or Prince

Philip hospital? I think there are talking about jobs, poverty, a lack

of services and support, and those other things Leanne covered. She

was very strong, her message was very clear, and one thing I have

heard set mostly about Leanne by people on the streets is that she

speaks their language and was talking to the people of Wales

Today. It is the economy and creating jobs which is central to

worry agenda now. When she was talking about this Green New Deal,

there was no mention of how many jobs it would create, or more

importantly, mention of how much it would cost to set up, the schemes

that would for example generate title and wind energy. We now

40,000 jobs have been created already by green renewable energy

industries. Leanne has set up a commission to draw up a very

detailed economic plan for Wales, which would have those answers in

them. The workers on going now. But that clearly has huge potential for

us in Wales if we are able to control these resources and use

them to benefit people in Wales. Where has the word independence

gone? We need constitutional change to facilitate these, but it doesn't

happen overnight. For example, Leanne talked about the need to get

on to loan sharks. We need additional powers to do that. It is

an incremental process, and we can go as fast and as far as the people

of Wales want. Plaid Cymru will allow them that choice. But it

wasn't mentioned in her speech. was underlying, because the powers

are necessary to deliver the goods, and that London won't deliver, we

will do it ourselves. That was central to her message and she

needs tools to do the job. I was putting this point earlier, it is a

very cluttered territory, the economy. We have electrification

due to the coalition government's decision, we have the Welsh Labour

government pushing Enterprise Zones in Wales. How difficult is it for

you as a party to have your voice heard on that subject? I think

Leanne's voice will be heard very clearly, because we are the only

party looking at the needs of Wales and nothing else, and prioritising

them. As she said herself in her speech, many politicians talk about

these things but don't deliver. If there is one thing you can say

after seeing Leanne speaking today, she is totally dedicated to

delivering. She talked about hard work and the needs to believe in

ourselves, and she clearly does that, and I think that message

certainly went right through the conference for today, and I think

anybody listening to it would have been inspired. It is a team effort,

and Leanne will need their help and be looking at it from all

directions. For example, the wait till is looking at procurement

policy in the European Parliament to make sure Welsh -- the Welsh

Government is supported. That will deliver for Wales. A phrase that

stuck with me was cultivating our own garden, as she put it. What is

left in Wales to cultivate? We have had the industries which have now

all but disappeared -- heavy industries. There is hardly

anything there to create wealth. goodness, we have our Lunt, the

agricultural and associated industries. Farmers giving up left,

right and centre. We need a change in that, we need fair play for

dairy farmers. Look, in a starving world, we can't ignore this

dimension and been food and it comes from Tesco. We need to

develop ourselves and maximise resources. The world is moving in

that direction and that is what the green revolution is about, cutting

out the middlemen and the transport costs and doing it locally. We have

huge talent in Wales, and people nationwide and locally here in

Brecon, you see community schemes people have developed themselves,

creating jobs locally, growing and selling food, new producer and so

on. There is huge talent. It is just a matter of providing the

right support developer and Newt -- nurture that are making huge

difference to the economy. This is a larger project than saving the

local hospital which could be done with pressure over the course of a

few months. Is that a strategy to buy Leanne Wood some time? It is

not long-term or short-term. There is the long-term economic

development strategy, but of course there are immediate things like

Leanne calling for devolving the budget for Remploy to keep jobs in

Wales. She is active. You will not see the creation or resurrection of

the WTA overnight, or a national Power House -- the BDA. You will

not see tens of 1000 new jobs created by the Green New Deal.

These things have to be done all the time. These things don't happen

overnight. We are the only party planning for the economy of Wales,

and you have to plan, and no one else is doing it. I wonder about

the danger of a long-term project when it comes to returns at the

ballot boxes. I have no doubt people will be looking at Leanne

Wood. Creating institutions, where their development body or using the

money that may be available from pension investments and all the

rest, getting the powers for the Assembly to borrow money, all these

are steps necessary to deliver the goods, and we must show we are

serious about it. I hear a deafening silence from the other

parties on how they would use the Assembly to a poll Wales. Can I ask

about Leanne Wood's leadership. 2 M Powell Wales. She was talking

about the terrible effects of austerity in this speech, and

heavily critical of the Conservatives' actions in

Westminster. Plaid in the Assembly did align themselves with the

Conservatives on the motion of no confidence against the health

minister. Do you think that was wise? Plaid doesn't align itself

with parties, it takes a view on issues. They were certainly in the

same boat, voting the same way. course, and parties voted in the

same lobby in Westminster. The question is whether we were

satisfied. I wonder how often Plaid MPs vote with the Conservatives in

Westminster? Plaid Cymru has, many many times. When Labour was in

government, Plaid might oppose them for different reasons from the

Conservatives. Whichever party brings for good ideas, we will

support them, and look for supporting Cardiff Bay as well for

good ideas from us, but we are convinced that unless we become the

largest party leading the Welsh Government after 2016, we will in

10 years' time be sitting here again waiting for someone else to

deliver. It is time we did it by ourselves and we start today.

People in Wales expect parties to work together when something is

right, and the idea that we can't vote with one party or the other...

So more of the same. When something is right, usage supported.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas was wrong in his criticism? I am saying, or what

Plaid Cymru does, the way we decide how to vote, is right or wrong,

that is what the party is about. he is wrong in his criticism?

was taking responsibilities in the University of Bangor and couldn't

be down on that day because his deputy was seriously ill and he had

to be there. That was understood and it is unfair on him to be

castigating him now when we know the position and he was supported

by his constituency party. He pledged his support in Leanne Wood

to the job she is doing, and we are going forward as the United Party

and would be split over this. it came to performance in First

Minister's Questions. -- when be split. A lot of the arms questions

are asking the First Minister to agree, and he answered, of course I

do. Where has that taking it? asked a few more questions -- if

she asked a few more questions like today we may get a different answer.

But that is a form you have to use, the same as Westminster, the way

the Prime Minister refers to the answer you have just given. Can you

name one punch she has landed on him? I am not in the Assembly so I

don't have the opportunity to follow as I was when I was a member.

I am sure you would remember one. She has scored, in the Assembly or

outside, very heavily indeed in bringing the social conscience of

Wales to the top of the political agenda, and bringing an urgency

about it. That is what Carwyn Jones isn't showing. She was showing that

urgency today, and that will cut through his imagination. We haven't

as yet mentioned coalition. Labour had been governing now with 30

members in a 60 member chamber. Are we right in thinking that any

suggestion of co-operation from now on will not happen? At the moment,

the group in the Assembly is an opposition group. We have an agenda

and issues we want the government take on board. There is no

discussion of coalition. When it comes to the Budget, though, Plaid

were adamant that they would not co-operate with Labour last time.

Would you do the same again? have a new leader and we will have

to see how Lehane takes the group forward in the Assembly, but I have

every confidence that she will do what's right for the party and the

people of Wales. I don't want to second guess anything. What should

be the bargaining position when budget negotiations start quite

soon? We must argue the case against London and the Treasury for

a fair deal for Wales. Scotland is getting a very fair deal. You are

doing a bargain with Welsh Labour, not the coalition government in

Westminster, so what could you ask of them? The government in Wales,

Labour or Platt, has to argue for a fairer deal. If we don't get that

fairer deal, there are no resources to distribute and you are robbing

Peter to pay Paul. The second thing is that the Assembly doesn't have

borrowing powers. We need those powers. It is reasonable that we

can and we hope in the wake of this will Commission will get

recommendations to more for it. -- this will Commission. There is an

agenda we will fine-tune in order at 2016 to be ready for government.

We have had conference speeches from Leanne Wood and six months in

the job from her. You are inside the Plaid bubble, how would you

assess the state of the party now you have had an internal review and

we have seen the findings. In the last 18 months you have lost seats

at local elections, Assembly elections, you now don't have any

foothold in power in Cardiff Bay or any say on power or influence in

Westminster, unlike any of the other parties. You are dying to

come in! We have just won two outstanding by-election victories,

won in Paris and one on Anglesey, and those were in seats we hadn't