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First Plaid peers to be nominated Wigley is nominated as Plaid peer
(about 9 hours later)
Plaid Cymru is deciding which three members will take the historic step of being nominated for peerages. Former Plaid Cymru leader Dafydd Wigley is set to return to front line politics as one of the first party members to be nominated for a peerage.
Six Plaid names have put themselves forward for the party's nomination to the House of Lords for the first time. He is one of three party members put forward to enter the House of Lords as party nominees for the first time.
The other nominees are another former Assembly Member, Janet Davies, and economic adviser Eurfyl ap Gwilym.
Plaid decided it needed peers because changes to the powers of the Welsh assembly will be approved in the Lords.Plaid decided it needed peers because changes to the powers of the Welsh assembly will be approved in the Lords.
Meanwhile, Plaid's national council is also to be urged to scrap a rule putting women at the top of regional lists for assembly elections. The vote at Plaid's national council in Pontrhydfendigaid, Ceredigion, follows the party's decision in November in favour of sending representatives to the upper house of Parliament.
The vote at Plaid's national council in Pontrhydfendigaid, Ceredigion, will follows the party's vote in November in favour of sending representatives to the upper house of Parliament.
Plaid had historically rejected creating its own peers because it wanted the Lords to be fully elected.Plaid had historically rejected creating its own peers because it wanted the Lords to be fully elected.
The final decision on creating peers rests with Downing Street, but the vote means Plaid honorary president Mr Wigley is likely to consolidate his prominent role in the party with a seat in the Lords.
Party members were asked to decide between six candidates to become nominees for peerages.
Ms Davies, who was a South West Wales AM from the assembly's first election until standing down last year, is a former leader of Taff Ely Council.
Mr ap Gwilym has been the party's national chair and director of research and he also advises the party's spending policies.
He is also the deputy chair of the Principality Building society.
PLAID PEERAGE NOMINEES Eurfyl ap Gwilym: Plaid economic adviser; deputy chair, Principality Building SocietyJanet Davies: Plaid member since 1967; South Wales West AM, 1999-2007Meinir Owen: Chair of Gwynedd Council; council member since 1999Rhian Medi Roberts: Party worker at Westminster for 14 yearsDafydd Wigley: Honorary president; former MP and AMDafydd Williams: 20 years' service as Plaid chief organiser and national secretary
The new policy comes after the Government of Wales Act 2006 allowed the assembly government to make its own laws in key devolved areas, once permission has been granted by Parliament.The new policy comes after the Government of Wales Act 2006 allowed the assembly government to make its own laws in key devolved areas, once permission has been granted by Parliament.
Plaid has decided that in order to ensure Welsh laws are passed, following approval by the Commons and Lords, then they need to have peers to approve so-called "orders in council". At least one will be a woman.Plaid has decided that in order to ensure Welsh laws are passed, following approval by the Commons and Lords, then they need to have peers to approve so-called "orders in council". At least one will be a woman.
PLAID PEERAGE NOMINEES Eurfyl ap Gwilym: Plaid economic adviser; deputy chair, Principality Building SocietyJanet Davies: Plaid member since 1967; South Wales West AM, 1999-2007Meinir Owen: Chair of Gwynedd Council; council member since 1999Rhian Medi Roberts: Party worker at Westminster for 14 yearsDafydd Wigley: Honorary president; former MP and AMDafydd Williams: 20 years' service as Plaid chief organiser and national secretary
Assembly Presiding Officer Lord Elis-Thomas is the only Plaid member to sit as a peer, but he sits as a cross-bencher and not as a party appointee.Assembly Presiding Officer Lord Elis-Thomas is the only Plaid member to sit as a peer, but he sits as a cross-bencher and not as a party appointee.
During the party's conference in September, representatives agreed to review their policy. Elfyn Llwyd, Plaid's parliamentary leader, argued that peers were needed to ensure planned legislation for Wales was not blocked at Westminster.During the party's conference in September, representatives agreed to review their policy. Elfyn Llwyd, Plaid's parliamentary leader, argued that peers were needed to ensure planned legislation for Wales was not blocked at Westminster.
Downing Street is responsible for agreeing and announcing the names of people that have been nominated for political peerages.
  • A senior Plaid source says the national executive will recommend abandoning the rule that places women on the top of their regional candidates lists for assembly elections.
  • A senior Plaid source says the national executive will recommend abandoning the rule that places women on the top of their regional candidates lists for assembly elections.
    The current rule has been controversial since it was introduced, with women placed on top of regional lists regardless of how many votes they receive.The current rule has been controversial since it was introduced, with women placed on top of regional lists regardless of how many votes they receive.
    Party officials insisted it was necessary in order to attract more women to stand as candidates, but opponents said it discriminated against men.Party officials insisted it was necessary in order to attract more women to stand as candidates, but opponents said it discriminated against men.
    The executive will argue that it should be replaced by a so-called "zip system," where whoever receives the highest number of votes from party members will be placed on top of the regional list.The executive will argue that it should be replaced by a so-called "zip system," where whoever receives the highest number of votes from party members will be placed on top of the regional list.
    The second place will then automatically be given to a candidate of the opposite sex.The second place will then automatically be given to a candidate of the opposite sex.
    Party officials insisted that the new proposals would a compromise, rather than a complete U-turn.Party officials insisted that the new proposals would a compromise, rather than a complete U-turn.