Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood visits Caerphilly on tour of Wales

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood visited Caerphilly town on Thursday on the second leg of her Tour of Wales.

The AM spoke with local party members and supporters at the town’s rugby club about the ways in which Wales can reverse its economic fortunes.

The aim of the tour, which will take in all areas of the country, is to meet with local party members to outline Plaid Cymru’s ambitions over the next three years to the 2016 Assembly elections.

Ms Wood will also be listening to views of the grassroots of the party to gather their thoughts on ways to improve the nation.

During her speech she said: “People in Caerphilly are no different from people in other parts of the country I have spoken with. It was clear from the meeting that people have concerns about their and their families’ security, making ends meet with ever-tightening budgets, wondering what the future holds for themselves and their kids and grandchildren.

“The message I want to leave with people is that if we want to, we can together work to turn around this downward spiral so many people are facing.

“It won’t happen unless we are prepared to take on the responsibility do that for ourselves. People put forward some great ideas – for example, getting people trained and working on repairing derelict buildings, renewable energy projects as well as ideas for involving more young people in politics.

“It’s exactly the conversation we need to have – how can we build and strengthen our communities and ensure young people have a future in a better, successful Wales.”

She added: “I hope that tonight, those of you in this room who are not members of the only party that will put Wales first each and every time, will think about joining us.

“If we are to have a strong Wales, then we must have a strong Plaid Cymru.”

Caerphilly Councillor Mike Prew said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Leanne to the town to tell us about the future direction of the party and the ambition within Plaid Cymru for transforming our country.

“Her talk went down very well and I’m pleased to say a few people joined the party on the night on the basis of what they heard.”