Welsh politician Rhun ap Iorwerth has said he's considering running for the Plaid Cymru leadership. The Ynys Môn MS admitted that he would "have to think about it" and that he wanted the best for his community and for Wales.
It comes after former leader, Adam Price MS, announced his resignation last week. His departure came after the publication of a report called Prosiect Pawb found a culture of harassment, bullying and misogyny within the party. Member of Senedd Llŷr Gruffydd is Plaid's acting leader and the party is now seeking an 11th leader in its near-100-year-history.
Rhun ap Iorwerth, who is a potential frontrunner in the race to become Plaid Cymru's next leader, took to Facebook to address the challenges his party was facing, as well as the fact that he was considering standing in the leadership contest set to take place this summer.
Read more: Plaid Cymru leadership contenders following Adam Price's resignation
The Anglesey politician was the runner-up in the previous Plaid Cymru leadership contest that took place back in 2018, which saw Adam Price coming in first place with 49.7% of the vote, Mr ap Iorwerth coming in second place with 28% of the vote and former Plaid leader Leanne Wood, who had been leading the party for six years, coming in third place with 22.3%.
The former journalist, has been a prominent member of the party for a number of years, having been elected as the then-Assembly Member for Ynys Môn in August 2013 while he is now Member of the Senedd for the constituency. During a live session on his Facebook page, the politician said it was a "challenging" time for his party. He also said he wanted to be "honest" as he could about about his thoughts on the upcoming leadership contest.
He said: "I think I have to comment, and I think it's important that I do comment, on recent events within my political party that have arised from the publication of a report - a very sobering report into the culture and behaviour within the party. It is sobering and it is right that we, as a party, take it with the utmost of seriousness and with an absolute resolve to put things right.
"We have seen it happening in all sorts of organsations, haven't we? Recently and in different political parties. Frankly, it's our turn now when it should've been done sooner. All of us need to ask, what did I do? What did I didn't do when I could've done something? What did I say? What did I didn't say? And we learn, and we make sure that we are the organisation we want to be.
"Of course, in the midst of all this we lost a party leader that had given so much to Plaid Cymru and to Wales over the years. And we are left needing a new leader. It's a challenging time of course for the party and I wish Llŷr Gruffydd well as he begins on his work this week as acting leader of the party."
He added: "And my commitment to Ynys Môn, as you know well, is pretty unswerving. You know I have been selected as candidate for the next general election. MPs can't be leaders of the party, but I've had many people ask me: 'is this something that you would do - lead the party?' and others have said: 'will you lead the party?'
"There's no big announcement but I just wanted to be honest as I can - that's what is good about these Facebook live sessions, I wanted to be as honest as I can and say of course, I do have to think about it, I want the best for Ynys Môn, I want the best for Wales. There are different roles that we can play in doing that, including as party leader if that is best for our community and for Wales."
A spokesman for Plaid Cymru confirmed a new leader will be in place in the summer with a timetable outlining the process of electing a permanent leader communicated to party members at "the earliest possible opportunity". On Saturday, Llŷr Gruffydd MS nomination as acting leader was subject to ratification by Plaid Cymru National Council.
READ NEXT:
- Llyr Gruffydd MS to be Plaid Cymru acting leader as Adam Price resigns
- Adam Price's statement in full as he quits as leader of Plaid Cymru
Mark Drakeford emotionally defends £1,600 a month payment for young asylum seekers
Rishi Sunak deliberately dodges questions from Welsh and Scottish journalists
The full list of donations and gifts made to every MP in Wales
