Putting Wales First: The Political Thought of Plaid Cymru

by Richard Wyn Jones

In this authoritative book, Richard Wyn Jones traces the development of the political thought of Plaid Cymru from its birth in the winter months of 1924–5 to the establishment of the National Assembly for Wales in the summer of 1999. With a penetrating study of the political beliefs of Plaid Cymru’s most important leaders – Saunders Lewis, Gwynfor Evans, Dafydd Elis-Thomas and Dafydd Wigley – Wyn Jones charts the party’s emergence from the political fringe to the threshold of a devolved Wales. The development of the party’s constitutional and economic policies is given close attention, as well as its attitude towards the Welsh language; and from a vibrant discussion on the nature of nationalism and nationalist ideas, Plaid Cymru’s intellectual development takes its place within a broader historical and international context. The result reveals Plaid Cymru in a new and sometimes controversial light.

347 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2024

About the author

Richard Wyn Jones joined the staff of Cardiff University in February 2009 as Director of the Wales Governance. He is a Professor of Welsh Politics. Previously he was Professor of Welsh Politics and founding Director if the Institute of Welsh Politics at the Department of Welsh Politics in Aberystwyth University. Richard has written extensively on contemporary Welsh politics, devolved politics in the UK and nationalism. In addition, he was also one of the founders of Critical Security Studies. Richard is a regular and widely respected broadcaster, commentating on Welsh politics in both Welsh and English for the BBC in Wales and across the UK. He has also presented two TV series. Richard is also a regular columnist for the Welsh language current affairs magazine Barn.