I am asking for your support to become the next President of Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales.

I see three main elements to the job of President.

Firstly, building the party.

In the hustings for the European nomination in Aberystwyth in 1998 I said that the most effective thing I could do as an MEP was to help strengthen the party - which in turn is the most effective way of increasing the powers of the National Assembly for Wales.

A year in the European Parliament has confirmed that view. Of course there are very important issues to take up on a European level and I believe that Eurig and myself have been a strong and effective voice for Wales in Brussels and Strasbourg. But as important is what we have been able to do in Wales: help open two new offices in Wrecsam and Haverfordwest; achieve a high profile for Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales in the press and media in all parts of Wales; support councillors and candidates in local campaigns; and support our councillors who are actually in government in Gwynedd, Rhondda Cynon Taff and Caerffili as well as providing information to and working in liaison with our members in the National Assembly.

That is what I would like to develop further - strong and effective partnerships between all levels and all sectors of the party. Everyone needs to know and understand their political role in our overall strategy and how they each contribute towards achieving our aims. This is part of the President's role as I see it.

And that is a job I know I could do well.

The whole of Wales is my constituency so it is usual for me to be in a different area every week. In the past year I have been to almost every constituency - on several occasions to most counties. Through that work I have got to know and establish a good rapport with party members in all parts of the country.

I am constantly in touch with the party when I am in Brussels and Strasbourg with the phone, fax e mail etc. I am as easily accessible there as in any other office anywhere. And it's easier for me to travel back and for Brussels than to many places in Wales! We have to remember that for many years Dafydd Wigley was President while working in London - so the distance isn't a problem.

Now that I have been in the Parliament for a year and know how it works, I can also prioritise my work to spend more time in Wales and therefore devote more time to the work of President.

And I have the experience.

As leader of the Plaid Cymru-Party of Wales group in the European Parliament it was my responsibility to develop a good team spirit as well as a structure which would enable us to maximise the effectiveness of both the staff and the members in Wales and in Brussels. That requires the trust and respect of all those working with you as well as their confidence. That is equally true for the President of the party.

As a former councillor for seven years I know how crucial councillors are and have been to the success of the party. They are the main link with the community - the first contact most people have with Plaid Cymru - the Party of Wales. I also know that the workload involved can be huge - often without real recognition and more importantly - without adequate support.

I have been involved at all levels of the party - Chair, Executive member, Steering Committee, Spokesperson, Policy Forum member and have fought elections at all levels. I know how the party works and how we can move forward in the future.

Secondly, increasing our support

We have to build on the foundations that Dafydd Wigley laid. We have to appeal to those who (still!) have never voted for Plaid Cymru - the Party of Wales both in the geographical sense and in attracting new groups of voters. At the same time we have to consolidate the support we already have and ensure that we keep our promises and deliver to the voters who put their trust in us last year.

I learned my political skills in the Rhondda which was as hard a place as any for a young Plaid member. When I returned to the Rhondda from Aberystwyth University we had just one councillor - the one and only Glyn James - and a small struggling Rhanbarth Committee. I am very proud that I was one of the people - together, of course, with the likes of Geraint Davies and Vic Davies, who built up the party to the political force it is today - 19 Plaid councillors (6 Labour) and (with 42, Lab 26) control of RCT; a National Assembly seat; a completely demoralised Labour Party and well on our way to Leanne Wood winning the Rhondda in the General Election.

I want to see that happen over and over again in Wales and I believe I have the experience and certainly the enthusiasm to help make it happen.

We must have electoral success but we are not just a party for fighting elections. We offer a different kind of politics. As President I would want us to get involved in more community campaigning - working with people in their own communities and involving more people in politics - especially young people. We need to increase understanding and strengthen the unity between urban, valley and rural areas - organise campaigns which bring people together. I have a proven track record of campaigning on an all Wales level and would use that experience for the benefit of the whole party.

Thirdly, putting a clear message across to the people of Wales

As I have said before, I may not have a loud voice but I have a strong voice.

It is the strength of Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales which will win more powers for the National Assembly and eventually a Parliament for Wales. With your support and your confidence, I believe I can make a valuable contribution as Preident to achieving that.

Diwedd/Ends.