Plaid Cymru aiming to emulate SNP success, says Leanne Wood

Leanne Wood, the Plaid Cymru leader acknowledges applause from Nicola Sturgeon following her address during the SNP conference. Picture: Getty

Ms Wood received a standing ovation when she addressed the SNP’s conference in Aberdeen, telling delegates that Wales could learn lessons from Scotland.

She told the conference that the Welsh Labour government under First Minister Carwyn Jones was presiding over a period of decline.

While the SNP celebrated a landslide victory in May’s general election in Scotland, Plaid Cymru is currently the third party in the Welsh Assembly behind Labour and the Conservatives

Ms Wood told the conference: “In Wales we have a double whammy. We are a nation without basic powers and have a Government that would not have a clue what to do with them if it had them.

“Here in Scotland you have an SNP Government led by a more than able First Minister, whereas in Wales we have a Labour Government.

“We have a Labour Government presiding over the decline of our country. Your Labour leader came to Wales recently to learn lessons when Wales needs to learn lessons from Scotland.

“We have an NHS devolved and protected from Tory privatisation but an NHS led by a Labour administration that is unable to deliver for patients.

“It isn’t devolution that is failing Wales, it is Labour that is failing Wales.

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“In Scotland you have broken the Tory-Labour duopoly and our aim is to do exactly the same in Wales.”

She added: “In Wales and in Scotland, our respective national parties provide the united alternative to Tory rule our peoples deserve.

“It is my determined resolution to lead the party of Wales into government next May because that represents the change Wales needs, the future our people deserve.

“It is my hope therefore to return to your conference next year and congratulate you on yet another famous election success but to do so as the newly elected first minister of Wales.”