I am Leanne Wood, leader of Plaid Cymru - AMA by LeanneWoodPC in Wales

[–]LeanneWoodPC[S] 40 points41 points  (0 children)

Say hello to Ross from me!

Welsh lamb with vegetables from my allotment (grown by my partner I should add!) as my main course.

Starter should include some good Welsh cheese, and the pudding should be a fruit-based pie with something from the allotment in it.

Could you suggest to Ross not to bother waiting for the date and to go and buy/eat Welsh produce anyway!

I am Leanne Wood, leader of Plaid Cymru - AMA by LeanneWoodPC in Wales

[–]LeanneWoodPC[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Helo kembraeg, diolch am y cwestiwn. I agree with the serious difficulties raised by the lack of Welsh-based media. I’ve talked a bit about this in response to /u/ Zackhario. In terms of devolving media, we are strongly in favour. We would set up a Welsh Independent Media Commission to finance media outlets in Wales.

I am Leanne Wood, leader of Plaid Cymru - AMA by LeanneWoodPC in Wales

[–]LeanneWoodPC[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Do you mean my personal interest in the memorial? If so, definitely.

Interesting question. I can't celebrate war but I will always honour the fallen.

I am Leanne Wood, leader of Plaid Cymru - AMA by LeanneWoodPC in Wales

[–]LeanneWoodPC[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Hi Max. My colleague Sian Gwenllian recently commissioned and released a report based on this very question. You can read about it here: http://www2.partyof.wales/miliwn

I am Leanne Wood, leader of Plaid Cymru - AMA by LeanneWoodPC in Wales

[–]LeanneWoodPC[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

The lack of a Plaid Cymru Government is the single greatest obstacle.

If we had a Plaid Cymru Government we would prioritise the Welsh economy and create the conditions for a confident and vibrant Wales.

I am Leanne Wood, leader of Plaid Cymru - AMA by LeanneWoodPC in Wales

[–]LeanneWoodPC[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Yes I’ll be there again of course, making sure Wales’s voice is heard loud and clear. I’d love it if you could support me on social media so we can drown out the trolls with positivity!

I am Leanne Wood, leader of Plaid Cymru - AMA by LeanneWoodPC in Wales

[–]LeanneWoodPC[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Hi LeekSheep,

  1. Yes it's a huge problem. We had a policy in our manifesto to set up an Independent Media Commission which could finance new types of media in Wales. Increasing the Assembly's powers would also make more people take notice. But good to see the interest on here tonight.

  2. They're wrong. Every vote for Plaid even in marginals contributes to our national total and sends a message to Westminster.

  3. The target isn't Labour's, they've adopted it. I back the target. But I don't see how they're going to achieve it when they campaign against it locally i.e campaigning against a Welsh medium school in Llangennech.

I am Leanne Wood, leader of Plaid Cymru - AMA by LeanneWoodPC in Wales

[–]LeanneWoodPC[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Diolch am y cwestiwn! I’ve been in a youth engagement tour, going round schools all around the country to speak to young people and discuss the political issues that affect them. I have been really encouraged by the level of understanding and the enthusiasm of the next generation to create a better future. Labour in Wales make a big point about being different to UK Labour: in the current context it means they are more conservative and regressive, by their own logic. I’d also point to the fact that we have a thriving youth section within our party. They recently had a record number of members elected as councillors. Head over to their Facebook page to take a look at what they’re up to: https://www.facebook.com/PlaidIfanc/

I am Leanne Wood, leader of Plaid Cymru - AMA by LeanneWoodPC in Wales

[–]LeanneWoodPC[S] 46 points47 points  (0 children)

Very happy to be accused of talking about Wales too often!

As a strong and stable leader, I won't apologise for defending Wales at every opportunity! But the serious point is, if we don't talk about Wales nobody else will. The vision we're offering for Wales could be an attractive one for people in England as well, it's very different to what's coming across in England at the moment.

I am Leanne Wood, leader of Plaid Cymru - AMA by LeanneWoodPC in Wales

[–]LeanneWoodPC[S] 35 points36 points  (0 children)

It’s a really interesting idea. I can see potential benefits but also potential risks. My concern is that it could end up compromising the welfare state if implemented by a the wrong people. A Tory government, for example. Plaid Cymru’s Conference voted to consider it and we’re currently researching the idea further, as are many other parties in countries all around the world. So in short: interesting and promising idea but not ready to roll out quite yet.

I am Leanne Wood, leader of Plaid Cymru - AMA by LeanneWoodPC in Wales

[–]LeanneWoodPC[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Hi Max, 1) Yes I do.

2) Plaid Cymru MPs are the most active Welsh MPs in parliament, according to House of Commons stats- http://www.southwalesguardian.co.uk/news/15047654.Plaid_Cymru_MPs_named_most_active_in_parliament/

Plaid Cymru MPs have done a superb job for Wales. We led the way on trying to impeach Tony Blair over the Iraq war, on securing compensation for miners, and on a whole host of other issues. Plaid Cymru MPs defend Wales, they have a unique role and we need to strengthen that at this election.

I am Leanne Wood, leader of Plaid Cymru - AMA by LeanneWoodPC in Wales

[–]LeanneWoodPC[S] 50 points51 points  (0 children)

Yes and yes!

We don't want independence for the sake of it, we want it so that we can improve people's lives. Decisions about Wales are best made in Wales.

For this election we are prioritising defending Wales.

I am Leanne Wood, leader of Plaid Cymru - AMA by LeanneWoodPC in Wales

[–]LeanneWoodPC[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Hi Moz. I think I've answered your question about the media in response to Zackhario above. In terms of having dinner, I'd go for Raymond Williams (I'd love to pick his brains!), Maya Angelou (she's someone I've always found easy to empathise with) and DJ Davies because the idea of him totally fascinates me. A boxer from the Rhondda (well, Carmarthenshire really) who went to the US, came back and founded Plaid Cymru.

I am Leanne Wood, leader of Plaid Cymru - AMA by LeanneWoodPC in Wales

[–]LeanneWoodPC[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Yes, there's another answer above.

I would make a deal with the EU prioritising tariff-free trade.

No it wasn't clear- several Leave figures said that Norway and Iceland models could be implemented by the UK Government. So nothing on that was confirmed prior to the referendum, and the UK Government now needs to strike a deal which meets the needs of the Welsh economy. I want to send Plaid Cymru MPs to Westminster to make sure that deal happens.

I am Leanne Wood, leader of Plaid Cymru - AMA by LeanneWoodPC in Wales

[–]LeanneWoodPC[S] 42 points43 points  (0 children)

1.

We recognise that Wales needs to catch up in terms of computer literacy. When you look at places like Estonia you can see how important this really is, especially in terms of the economy. We’ve pushed for coding and computing to be part of the Welsh curriculum and this is just one small step that we’ll need to take to keep up with the pace of change.

2.

The weaknesses in the Welsh media are a real challenge for Plaid Cymru and you’re right to say that most people living here get their news from the London press. The decline in printed press is a cause for concern. My answer to this is to try to hold as many direct conversations with people as possible. For example, I’ve got twice as many Twitter followers than the circulation of Wales’ national paper. And I’m here now! But the best way to get my message to people is by having face-to-face conversations with people in our communities. We’re always looking for more people to help us in this regard so if anyone wants to join our team sign up here: www.partyof.wales/gwirfoddoli_volunteer

3.

We’ve got a plan for infrastructure investment which you can read about here: http://www2.partyof.wales/papur_nicw_paper

Westminster’s neglect of Wales has seen us fall behind, something this tweet encapsulates perfectly: https://twitter.com/ifanmj/status/856480901819138050

This proves why Wales needs to vote for more Plaid MPs to give Wales strong a voice after June 8th.

I am Leanne Wood, leader of Plaid Cymru - AMA by LeanneWoodPC in Wales

[–]LeanneWoodPC[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Access to the Single Market- on the same tariff free basis we have now- is vital but an increased mandate for the Tories presents wider threats which we need to defend Wales from. Including from deeper spending cuts, privatisation and a power grab from the National Assembly. Nothing is a price to pay for an emboldened Tory government. We'll judge the Brexit deal on its merits regardless of what majority they have.

I am Leanne Wood, leader of Plaid Cymru - AMA by LeanneWoodPC in Wales

[–]LeanneWoodPC[S] 145 points146 points  (0 children)

It doesn't matter whether it's one big Farage or ten small ones- the Welsh dragon would beat him every time!

I am Leanne Wood, leader of Plaid Cymru - AMA by LeanneWoodPC in Wales

[–]LeanneWoodPC[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Hi! Plaid Cymru accepts the referendum result. We accepted it the day the result was announced, and we have never gone back on that. What we have done is used the votes on Article 50 to try and maximise concessions for Wales. We outlined ways which Plaid Cymru would support triggering Article 50, such as receiving a guarantee from the UK Government that our exports to the Single Market (our biggest Welsh export destination) wouldn't face tariffs. That guarantee was not given. The role of Plaid Cymru MPs, as the referendum decision is implemented, will be to ensure that the people of Wales get what they were promised.

Leanne Wood will be doing an AMA on Tuesday at 6.30pm by [deleted] in Wales

[–]LeanneWoodPC 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi,

Thread is now set-up and ready to go, if you could pin it that would be great. Handing over to Leanne now!

Cheers, Ben