2003 Plaid Cymru leadership election
Plaid Cymru leadership election
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The 2003 Plaid Cymru leadership election was held following the resignation of Ieuan Wyn Jones after a disappointing showing in the 2003 Assembly elections where the party fell from 17 to 12 seats.[1]
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8 May 2003 – 15 September 2003
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Ieuan Wyn Jones had led the party since 2000. Ieuan Wyn Jones initially resigned but then decided to contest the leadership election, he was challenged by Helen Mary Jones whom he had defeated three years previously, as well as Rhodri Glyn Thomas.
Voting closed in 15 September, with the results announced at Cardiff's St David's Hall on 18 September.[2]
The contest was narrowly won by Ieuan Wyn Jones in the final round with 2,603 votes, against Helen Mary Jones' 2,532.[3][4]
Candidates and Endorsements
Ieuan Wyn Jones
Supporters included:
- Dafydd Elis Thomas, former Plaid Cymru President and AM for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy
- Elfyn Llwyd, MP for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy
Helen Mary Jones
Supporters included:
- Dafydd Wigley, former Plaid Cymru President
- Hywel Williams, MP for Caernarfon
- Dafydd Iwan
- Cllr Lindsay Whittle, Caerphilly Council Leader
Rhodri Glyn Thomas
Supporters included:
Results
| Candidate | First round | Second round | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Transfers | Votes | % | |
| Ieuan Wyn Jones | 2,078 | 40.1 |  525 | 2,603 | 50.7 |
| Helen Mary Jones | 2,089 | 40.3 | 443 | 2,532 | 49.3 |
| Rhodri Glyn Thomas | 1,014 | 19.6 | |||
| Total | 5,181 | 100 | 968 | 5,135 | 100 |
Turnout was around 61% of Plaid's estimated 8,500 members.[5]