Plaid Cymru will hold the first of seven meetings in Caerphilly town to help it decide who will stand in the 2014 European elections.
On the shortlist is Ioan Bellin, Steven Cornelius, current MEP Jill Evans, Marc Jones, Gwynfor Owen. The meeting will be held at Caerphilly Rugby Club on Wednesday May 8.
Plaid Cymru’s Llanbradach/Pwllypant branch has nominated former ITV Wales journalist Ioan Bellin.
Mr Bellin said: “I’m delighted to be nominated locally and have gained support from Caerphilly councillors. I have also been nominated by the Torfaen constituency.
“If Plaid Cymru wants to lead the Welsh Government after the National Assembly elections in 2016 we have to win more votes and seats here. That is why as an MEP I will only take the equivalent of the salary of an Assembly Member. I will donate the rest of the money to the party for the 2016 campaign to ensure Leanne Wood is First Minister.
“The economy is my priority and Plaid’s priority. I will be your voice against austerity, welfare and public sector cuts that are hitting Wales hardest. I will scrutinise the effectiveness of European grants to ensure they help create a sustainable Welsh economy, green jobs and invest in good public transport links.
“I will be a strong voice for Wales in Europe. Plaid Cymru always puts Wales first.”
Selection meetings will be held across Wales during May to decide the order of the candidates on the party’s list in the election.
Every member of Plaid Cymru has the right to vote in the selection process by attending the selection meetings. The result of the selection process will be announced in Cardiff on May 25.
I thought they would be holding it in Risca after their stunning election performance.
Tony: I get the point reference `stunning victory` in Risca (SIC) But, to hold this selection meeting in Caerphilly town makes sense, Plaid Cymru hold five out of the six Councillors in the Town wards, Labour run a lamentable third to Plaid and Independents in the Town, and I predict at the next local elections for the Council seats Plaid will, again, take all six.
So to hold their meetings in the town in which they hold all electoral positions makes sense.