RHUN ap Iorwerth has been officially announced as the new leader of Plaid Cymru.
Ap Iorwerth, who represents Ynys Mon (Anglesey) in the Senedd, was named as successor to Adam Price during a press conference in Cardiff Bay on Friday.
It follows the resignation of Adam Price last month after a report found a culture of sexual harassment, bullying and misogyny and made 82 recommendations to “detoxify” the party.
Nominations for leader of the party closed on Friday morning, with ap Iorwerth the only confirmed candidate.
In a speech overlooking the Welsh Parliament in Cardiff Bay, Rhun ap Iorwerth described his ambitions for an independent Wales.
He said these included “an absolute determination to make poverty history”, supporting thriving communities, with wealth and opportunities redistributed “in every sense”, and building a stronger and fairer economy.
Ap Iorwerth said: “But to be the champions that Wales needs, we have to be fit as a party and ready to face the challenges ahead.
“I’m determined that we will be, and I’ll be uncompromising in making this a welcoming party where everyone feels safe, supported and empowered to play their part.”
Ap Iorwerth, a married father-of-three, is a former BBC journalist who was deputy leader of Plaid Cymru under Price.
The fluent Welsh speaker announced his candidacy in a video on Twitter saying the party finds itself at a “crossroads” and faces “serious challenges” but that Wales was on a “journey to independence”.
He added: “Now is the time to unite Plaid Cymru so we can lead the work of building a new future for Wales.”
Born in South Wales, ap Iorwerth grew up on Anglesey and was educated at Ysgol David Hughes and later Cardiff University, where he graduated in Politics and Welsh.
Price’s predecessor, Leanne Wood, publicly said she believed the next leader should be a woman – claiming a female leader would be better placed to deal with issues of misogyny.
However, early in the race two of ap Iorwerth’s potential competitors, Sioned Williams and Sian Gwenllian, announced they would not be standing.
Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford issued a statement after ap Iorwerth was announced as Plaid Cymru leader.
Drakeford said: “I welcome the announcement of Rhun ap Iorwerth as the new leader of Plaid Cymru.
“I look forward to a constructive working relationship to continue delivery of the ambitious programme set out in the three-year Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru.”
Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, also congratulated ap Iorwerth on being appointed Plaid Cymru leader on Friday but questioned if he was offering a fresh start for the party.
“I’d like to congratulate Rhun on his appointment as leader of the third-largest party in Wales,” he said.
“Although the reason the change of leadership came about was because of the previous Plaid leadership’s inability to tackle issues within their party – as Rhun was the deputy leader in that team, what’s changed?”
