The Plaid Cymru Autumn 2016 conference in Llangollen was dominated by Plaid Ifanc this year with our highest turnout yet for Plaid Cymru conference.
It was a very successful conference for Plaid Ifanc and it was inspiring to see such passion in our members who are ready and willing to fight to achieve the best for Wales and to do so with laughter and merriment!
Liz Savile Roberts MP acknowledged Plaid Ifanc by stating that Plaid Ifanc ‘brings new ideas, new blood and will provide the party with our future leaders’.
Leanne Wood also stressed that Plaid Cymru embodies the politics of hope. Wales is a community of communities and will never close the door on those seeking refuge.
Our motions and amendments passed unanimously at the conference.
These included a motion on Sanitary Products which called upon the Welsh Government to protect the right of those who need towels or tampons for sanitary reasons to have access to them for free or cheaply.
Another was a joint motion with the Westminster Group on Recruitment to the Armed Forces which called for effective education, employment and training opportunities for 16 to 18 year olds and for recruitment to the armed forces to be prohibited for under-18s and that it should not take place in schools, colleges and other educational establishments.
Our fringe event held on the Saturday, ‘Beth Nesaf i Gymru? What Next for Wales?’ was packed to the brim and offered some very valuable and inspiring discussions.
The panel consisted of Angharad Lewis (Plaid Ifanc Women’s Officer) and Rhydian Fitter (Plaid Ifanc Membership Officer) who were joined by Carmarthen East and Dinefwr AM Adam Price.
During the session we discussed our vision for Wales’s future, especially given the current political and social climate and considered some key questions– for example, could Wales cope as an independent member state of the EU; and how can Wales make up for the economic shortfall post-Brexit?
It was reiterated that we stake our claim as a European nation regardless of ‘Brexit’. We must go into our communities to talk to disaffected voters about change in clear terms and support the voices of our communities.
Wales has a chance to be creative in its response to Brexit and we must take ownership of this. Wales has to set the foundation, build economy and create a national identity of of its own - culture is the key.
Such a successful conference proves that Plaid Ifanc is growing as a movement and as an organisation. We now look towards building a youth parliament for Wales, growing the number of Plaid Ifanc branches and members whilst building the Wales of our vision.
Thank you to all those who attended – we hope to see you again soon!
Feeling inspired and want to get involved? You can…
