The 2003

Plaid Cymru Plaid Cymru ( ; ; officially Plaid Cymru – the Party of Wales, often referred to simply as Plaid) is a centre-left to left-wing, Welsh nationalist political party in Wales, committed to Welsh independence from the United Kingdom. Plaid wa ...

leadership election was held following the resignation of

Ieuan Wyn Jones Ieuan Wyn Jones (born 22 May 1949) is a Welsh politician who was the Deputy First Minister in the Welsh Government from 2007 to 2011. He was the Member of the Senedd for the Ynys Môn constituency from 1999 to 2013, and he was also leader of P ...

after a disappointing showing in the 2003 Assembly elections where the party fell from 17 to 12 seats. 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 Helen Mary Jones (born 29 June 1960) is a Welsh Plaid Cymru politician, who was a member of the Senedd from 1999 to 2011 and again from August 2018 until 29 April 2021. Background Jones was born in Colchester, Essex. She was educated at Colch ...

whom he had defeated three years previously, as well as

Rhodri Glyn Thomas Rhodri Glyn Thomas (born 11 April 1953) is a Welsh politician. He was the Plaid Cymru National Assembly for Wales Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr from 1999 to 2016, when he did not re-stand for election. Following his retirement from the ...

. Voting closed in 15 September, with the results announced at Cardiff's St David's Hall on September 18. The contest was narrowly won by Ieuan Wyn Jones in the final round with 2,603 votes, against Helen Mary Jones' 2,532.

Candidates and Endorsements

Ieuan Wyn Jones Ieuan Wyn Jones (born 22 May 1949) is a Welsh politician who was the Deputy First Minister in the Welsh Government from 2007 to 2011. He was the Member of the Senedd for the Ynys Môn constituency from 1999 to 2013, and he was also leader of P ...

Supporters included: *

Dafydd Elis Thomas Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Baron Elis-Thomas (born 18 October 1946) is a Welsh politician who served as the Leader of Plaid Cymru from 1984 to 1991 and represented the Dwyfor Meirionnydd constituency in the Senedd from 1999 to 2021. Born in Carmar ...

, former Plaid Cymru President and AM for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy * Elfyn Llwyd, MP for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy

Helen Mary Jones Helen Mary Jones (born 29 June 1960) is a Welsh Plaid Cymru politician, who was a member of the Senedd from 1999 to 2011 and again from August 2018 until 29 April 2021. Background Jones was born in Colchester, Essex. She was educated at Colch ...

Supporters included: *

Dafydd Wigley Dafydd Wynne Wigley, Baron Wigley, (born David Wigley; 1 April 1943) is a Welsh politician. He served as Plaid Cymru Member of Parliament (MP) for Caernarfon from 1974 until 2001 and as Assembly Member for Caernarfon from 1999 until 2003. He w ...

, former Plaid Cymru President *

Hywel Williams Hywel Williams (born 1953) is a Welsh Plaid Cymru politician serving as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Arfon, previously Caernarfon, since 2001. He announced his intention to retire in 2022. Early life Williams was born in Pwllheli in 1953 ...

, MP for Caernarfon * Dafydd Iwan * Cllr

Lindsay Whittle Lindsay Geoffrey Whittle is a Welsh Plaid Cymru politician who was a Member of the Welsh Assembly (AM) for the South Wales East region from 2011 to 2016. Political career Whittle was born in Caerphilly in South Wales, and lives in Abertridw ...

, Caerphilly Council Leader

Rhodri Glyn Thomas Rhodri Glyn Thomas (born 11 April 1953) is a Welsh politician. He was the Plaid Cymru National Assembly for Wales Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr from 1999 to 2016, when he did not re-stand for election. Following his retirement from the ...

Supporters included:

Results

Turnout was around 61% of Plaid's estimated 8,500 members.

References

{{Plaid Cymru 2003 elections in the United Kingdom 2003 2003 in Wales 2000s elections in Wales Plaid Cymru leadership election