Plaid Cymru: Rhun ap Iorwerth set to be new leader

Rhun ap Iorwerth is set to become the new Plaid Cymru leader.

The last two members of Plaid's Senedd group who had not ruled out standing against him have now confirmed they will not be entering the contest.

Deputy leader Sian Gwenllian and Sioned Williams made the announcement in a joint statement on Friday morning.

Only Senedd members (MSs) can lead Plaid Cymru and, unless there is a U-turn from a Plaid MS, Mr ap Iorwerth will become leader next week.

Nominations are due to close on 16 June.

Plaid Cymru has been looking for a new leader since Adam Price stood down in May.

It followed reports that a toxic culture of harassment, bullying and misogyny had become worse under his leadership.

In their joint statement, Ms Gwenllian and Ms Williams said: "We are not putting our names forward as candidates for the leadership of Plaid Cymru, although we agree with comments made by former leader Leanne Wood in an interview this week that a woman would have been the best choice to lead Plaid Cymru at this time.

"We will campaign to introduce a new model of joint leadership in the future which would be more inclusive and ensure equality."

The Green Party of England and Wales has a joint leadership structure, meaning a man and a woman share the responsibility of leading the party.

The other Plaid Senedd members who were eligible to run for Plaid Cymru leader were Mabon ap Gwynfor, Cefin Campbell, Luke Fletcher, Heledd Fychan, Llŷr Huws Gruffydd, Delyth Jewell, Elin Jones, and Peredur Owen Griffiths.

But they have all ruled themselves out of the race.

Ynys Môn Senedd member Mr ap Iorwerth announced he would be standing in a video published on Twitter.

In the video he said he was looking forward to playing his part in uniting the party.

He said previously it must offer a vision of Wales as "confident, fair, green, prosperous", and on a "journey to independence".

Mr ap Iorwerth is currently the party's joint deputy leader, alongside Ms Gwenllian, and has been Plaid health spokesman in recent years.

He has been a vocal critic of the Welsh government's record on the troubled Betsi Cadwaladr health board in north Wales.

He also ran for the leadership in 2018, when Mr Price replaced Leanne Wood.

On Friday, former Plaid Cymru chairman Alun Ffred Jones told BBC Radio Cymru he believed "a contest within a party is a good thing in almost all circumstances, but if the more experienced people didn't want to stand for various reasons, there we are".

"And if there is to be only one candidate, it's important that the party unites behind Rhun," he said.

He added: "I don't see much of an argument in just putting your name forward, it's not the same as applying for a job just to get an interview and seeing how it goes.

"Anyone who stands for the leadership has to be in a position where they're confident they can deliver in the role."

He said Rhun ap Iorwerth needed to "put his own stamp on things" and "turn our attention back to things that matter to the majority of people, and not on internal matters and things that are of marginal concern to most people."

Plaid Cymru said there were "no plans" to change the closing date for nominations.

It added: "Plaid Cymru members will have the opportunity over the next week to nominate candidates for the party leadership through their local constituencies."

"The next leader of Plaid Cymru will be announced on Friday 16 June."

Analysis by BBC Wales political correspondent Elliw Gwawr

For a leadership contest with only one candidate, this has been a far from straightforward process for Plaid Cymru.

Adam Price stepped down as leader in the wake of a report identifying a culture of misogyny within the party, so it isn't surprising that calls for a woman to take charge have gained a lot of support.

But the final two MSs to declare their intentions, Sian Gwenllian and Sioned Williams, have decided the leadership isn't for them - leaving the way clear for Ynys Môn MS Rhun ap Iorwerth.

The suggestion by Ms Williams for a "co-leader" muddies the waters further. A co-leader needs someone else to get involved - but who?

Plaid Cymru say the official timetable, with nominations closing in a week, hasn't changed - so Mr ap Iorwerth still has seven days to wait - unless someone changes their mind at the last minute.