Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood outlined her party’s vision for the future of Wales at a recent public meeting in Penpedairheol.
The Assembly Member for South Wales Central – making her third speech in the county borough in the last 18 months – spoke to more than 60 people at the Beechgrove Social Club on Tuesday June 17.
The meeting was chaired by Beci Newton, a local Plaid Cymru member and firefighter with the South Wales Fire Service.
Ms Wood began her speech by telling the audience: “Coming to Caerphilly is always a pleasure and it has become something of a home from home for me since becoming leader – I must have been here more than in any other constituency in the country
“But Caerphilly is important to Plaid Cymru – just as this historic area has always been important to Wales.”
She added: “My message to people is simple. If you share Plaid Cymru’s view that things as they are are not good enough, in health, in education, in jobs – then hear us out, listen to what we have to say and I hope that you will trust us to have an opportunity to lead the government of Wales.
“Plaid Cymru is a party like no other. We’re your party. We’re the party for everyone who lives in Wales, whoever they are, wherever they’re from.
“So many people are fed up with the same old politics we get from the Westminster parties. We all know the drill. Carbon-copy politicians who make big promises, who sound and look the same, who don’t have the guts to rock the boat because what matters most to them is winning votes.
“Plaid Cymru is free from that because our only interest in making a success of Wales. So we say what we think and we’re honest with people and we always, every time, do what is right by Wales.”
Before a question and answer session, Ms Wood closed her speech by saying: “I mentioned earlier the fact that my top priority as leader of Plaid Cymru is to transform our economy, to ensure our people have the chances others enjoy for a good, well-paid job and a decent standard of living and high quality public services.
“If you share that vision with me and if you feel – as I do – that this isn’t as good as it gets for our country then I’d ask you to support us. Give Plaid Cymru the opportunity to build our economy and fix our public services.
“Give Wales the opportunity to have a national conversation on its future. And together, we can invigorate our communities and build a new country.
“There’s nothing inevitable about Wales. Our future is in our own hands – if we want it to be.”
After the speech, Ms Wood fielded questions on topics such as energy, tax raising powers for Wales and education.