Plaid Runner and Riders.

 sNews that Leanne Wood, has become the fourth Plaid Cymru AM to enter the race for the party leadership, will delight a number of people in Wales not just those who are Plaid members


She will look for backing when nominations open in the new year. But I doubt that she would not have made her announcement  if she wasn't sure of receiving it.


I doubt if any other candidate will throw their hat in the ring, as it is now  a pretty crowded field.


So what I do I think of those who have put their names forward


Dafydd Elis Thomas

Pros.

• Highly experienced has led the Party in the past.
• His role has Presiding Officer has helped to cement the Assembly in the Welsh psyche.
• Can deal with hostile interviewers with aplomb
• In this capacity can make the most outrages statement seem plausible.
• Can appeal to those who are worried about the Independence issue by appealing for more gradual approach.
• Has a safe constituency seat so is not subject  to the "Bourne effect" where a rise in Plaid seats means the loss of topup ones
• Welsh speaking.

Cons.

• Will be nearly 69 by the time of the next Assembly Election  and though age should not be a factor . Members will probably be looking for a younger leader
• It would seem strange for a former gamekeeper (Presiding Officer ) to  turn poacher ( Party leader)
• Can be petulant  when challenged..
• Often gives the impression of shooting from the hip and seaming a bit of a maverick
• Has long .alienated the Right-Wing of the party and now has probably done the same to his former Left supporters.
• The stronger emphasis by the Party on Independence and his disquiet may well work against him.

Simon Thomas

Pros.

• Despite being a new AM has Parliamentary experience which may give him a bit more gravitas
• Has long been spouted as a potential leaders by commentators outside the party.
• As D.E.T's, recent statements on Independence may align with those worried about a fundamentalist approach
• Affable and intelligent preforms does well in interviews.
• Despite his Ceredigion connexions. His Aberdare upbringing might help to appeal to Valley supporters and voters.
• Speaks Welsh.Indeed learned it (always goes down well)

Cons.

• Lost the Cerdigion seat  in 2001 and there was clearly some disquiet he did not fight it again in 2010
• Like D.E.T unless he explains his position clearly on the Independence issue he may well lose support.
• Represent a regional seat and is particularly vulnerable to the Bourne effect and therfore if Plaid won Llanelli  and Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire  then could well fail to be elected  (Though he could stand possibly in latter if polls show the party gaining support there)

Elin Jones

Pros.

• Has represented Cerdigion in the assembly since the Assembly was formed and has always given a good account of herself
• Being leader will almost surley mean he Constituency seat will be safe.
• Was a particularly effective Minister in the Lab-Plaid coalition and received plaudits from the farming Lobby
• This included having the courage to agree on a Badger Cull against much opposition so will be seen s as  not afraid to make unpopular (in some quarters) decisions.
• Speaks Welsh fluently and will  appeal to cultural nationalist.

Cons.

• The failure to implement the Badger cull and it very idea will count against her in some quarters.
• Does not have any seeming connection with the South Wales Valleys could be seen as only representing Rural interestand Plaids comfort Zone.
• Needs to improve her performance in English Interviews sometime can be seen to be Umming and Arring.

Leanne Wood. 

 Pros.

• Experienced and has a certain Charisma 
• May manage to express the Independence issue in away that will appeal well beyond purely Nationalist sentiments.
• Although representing a Regional Topup seat any Plaid would have to do exceptionally well for her to experience the Bourne effect.
• Will appeal to the Left and Republican wings of the Party.
• Will appeal to those who feel Plaid should concentrate on raising its vote in the South Wales Valleys.
• May well appeal to dissatisfied Labour voters and indeed some of their party  activist.
• Has already seemed to have received the support of Jonathan Edwards and may be able to get Adam Prices backing.Could be seen as Plaid's Nicola Sturgeon to Price's Alex Salmond.
• Will be seen a new start for the Party breaking away from its  Y Fro Cymreig comfort zone

Cons.

• Her Left wing and republican views will be attacked mercilessly by the Media and all the other other political parties (including Labour).
• Will probably not appeal to traditional and more Right-Wing voters.
• Could be seen as only keeping the seat warm for Adam  Price .
• Would be the first Plaid Leader not fluent in Welsh

As the Leadership election progress I'm sure the  Pros and Cons for all will change but I think todays announcement by Leanne Wood will lead to a more exiting and certainly  more open election .


With the Leader to be announced in March I'm sure Plaid will be hoping that this will galvanise the membership and hopefully carry on the effect into the next election.