Cofiwch bleidleisio/ Remember to vote!

Mae ganddo chi tan hanner dydd, dydd Gwener i bleidleisio. Cofiwch gysylltu gyda'r swyddfa ganolog os nad ydi eich pleidlais wedi cyrraedd eto. Diolch i bawb sydd wedi cysylltu gyda negeseuon o gefnogaeth. Dwi'n ddiolchgar iawn ichi gyd.

Remember that you have until Midday on Friday to vote. Contact head office if your ballot paper hasn't arrived yet. Thanks to everyone who's sent me messages of support. I'm grateful to you all.

Hystings Olaf/ Final hustings!

Dim ond nodyn byr i'ch atgoffa y bydd yr hystings olaf yn cael eu cynnal wythnos yma - yn Llanelli nos 'fory, a Blaenau Ffestiniog nos Fercher. Cofiwch ddod draw os nad ydych wedi cael cyfle i'n holi eto - dwi'n fwy na hapus i ateb unrhyw gwestiynnau.

Just a short note to remind you that the last hustings will be taking place this week - in Llanelli tomorrow night, and Blaenau Ffestiniog on Wednesday evening. Remember to attend if you haven't had a chance to question us yet - I'm more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

From todays Daily Post

Dr Robyn Lewis: I’m willing to return to Plaid Cymru

Aug 18 2008 by Steve Bagnall, Daily Post

A FORMER Archdruid has declared his intention to re-join Plaid Cymru if parliamentary leader Elfyn Llwyd becomes president.

Dr Robyn Léwis resigned his membership in January 2006 in protest against the acceptance of an OBE by international harpist Elinor Bennett, wife of former party leader Dafydd Wigley.

At one time Dr Léwis, of Nefyn, was the party’s vice president.

Mr Llwyd stands against current president Dafydd Iwan this autumn.

Despite his resignation from the party, Dr Léwis, also a former Plaid parliamentary candidate, admitted in his autobiography earlier this year he had continued to vote for Plaid candidates.

In a letter sent to Mr Llwyd, he wished him well in the forthcoming presidential election.

He said: “I am quite confident that – if you were elected – the direction of Plaid would be changed where this is most needed, and that this would reinvigorate individuals and branches.

“In my view you would offer numerous exciting ideas, and the clear ability to realise them.”

Although Dr Léwis would like to be readmitted to Plaid Cymru if Mr Llwyd wins the election, he claimed the current leadership had lost its way.

Dr Léwis said: “Should you be elected, I would forthwith make an application to be readmitted as a member of Plaid.

“I believe my true political home lies there, and I should be more than happy to be a member once more and to support the party in all respects.”

In conclusion Dr Léwis said “If Mr Llwyd were elected I am quite confident that the direction of Plaid would be changed where this is most needed.”

As a young politician Dr Léwis, a solicitor and barrister, stood for parliament in Denbighshire for Labour, eventually moving over to Plaid Cymru standing against Labour candidate the late Goronwy Roberts in the Caernarfon constituency.

Welcoming Dr Léwis’ support, Mr Llwyd said: “I do hope Robyn will return to Plaid. We are in need of members who are prepared to discuss and offer ideas, two things that come naturally to him.”

stevebagnall

Dyddiadau, lleoliad ac amseroedd Hystings

BANGOR
Neuadd Powis, Prifysgol Bangor
28.07.08
7.30pm-8.30pm

WRECSAM
Ystafell Glanyrafon, Y Stiwt – Rhos
29.07.08
7.30pm-8.30pm

ABERYSTWYTH
Gwesty’r Marine
30.07.08
7.30pm-8.30pm

SIR BENFRO
Gwesty Nantyffin, Llandysilio
01.08.08
7.30pm-8.30pm

CAERDYDD
Ystafell Taf, Athrofa Chwaraeon Cymru (Gerddi Sophia)
02.08.08
10.30am-11.30am

LLANELLI
Ystafell Llieidi, (ger Canolfan Selwyn Samuel)
19.08.08
7.30pm-8.30pm

BLAENAU FFESTINIOG
Neuadd Chwaraeon, Heol Wyn
20.08.08
7.30pm-8.30pm

Cofiwch Ymaelodi! Remeber to join!

Os ydych eisiau pleidleisio yn etholiad Llywyddiaeth Plaid Cymru, rhaid ichi fod yn Aelod o'r Blaid erbyn hanner nos, Gorffennaf 11eg. Ebostiwch fi os ydych angen mwy o fanylion ynglyn a hyn, neu cysylltwch gyda'r Blaid yn Nhy Gwynfor - 02920 646000.

If you would like to vote in the Presidential race, you must be a Plaid Cymru member by midnight, July 11th. Email me if you need more information on this, or ring Plaid Cymru at Ty Gwynfor - 02920 646000.

Fy Maniffesto - Fersiwn Cymraeg

Etholwn Elfyn: Nid Da lle gellir Gwell

Mae angen meddwl yn ofalus cyn penderfynnu rhedeg i fod yn Llywydd ar Blaid Cymru. Mae cael eich ethol gan aelodau'r Blaid i fod yn bennaeth ar yr adain wirfoddol yr anrhydedd fwyaf i unrhyw genedlaetholwr. Wrth edrych yn ol ar rai o Lywyddion y gorffennol, o Gwynfor Evans a Dafydd Wigley i Dafydd Iwan, rwyf yn teimlo'n wylaidd wrth imi roi fy hun ger eich bron fel ymgeisydd.

Rwyf yn byw, fel gwyr llawer ohonoch dwi'n siwr, yn Llanuwchllyn. Mae yna gymuned wych yno. Cymraeg yw iaith yr aelwyd, y capel, y cor, y dafarn a'r stryd. Mae yna brydferthwch a gwerth cynhenid i'r gymuned hon a gwelaf hyn mewn nifer o gymuedau eraill yng Nghymru yn sgil fy ngwaith fel Aelod Seneddol Meirionnydd Nant Conwy. Hyn sydd yn tanio fy nghariad at Gymru a sydd hefyd yn bwydo fy awch i weld ein gwlad yn cymeryd ei lle priodol ar y llwyfan rhyngwladol.

Dros y blynyddoedd, rwyf wedi ymgyrchu ym mhob cornel o'n gwlad ac rwyf wedi gweld yn ystod y cyfnod hwnnw y potensial sydd gan Blaid Cymru a Chymru i'w gynnig. Mae'r potensial hwnnw, o'r diwedd, wedi dechrau cael ei wireddu dros y deuddeg mis diwethaf gyda pedwar Gweinidog Plaid Cymru rwan yn rhan o'n Llywodraeth yn y Cynulliad ac yn sicrhau bod anghenion Cymru wastad yn dod gyntaf. Mae'r amser wedi dod i ni ail-wampio peirianwaith y blaid.

Yn y maniffesto hwn, rwyf yn cyflwyno cynigion sydd wedi eu selio ar ein daliadau a'n cryfderau traddodiadol a sydd yn dangos sut y byddwn yn defnyddio rhain i ail-fywiogi ein canghennau a'n haelodau a hefyd, yn bwysicach na dim arall, sicrhau datblygiad y blaid fel ein bod yn creu llais hyd yn oed yn gryfach i'n gwlad yn y blynyddoedd yn arwain at annibyniaeth.

Elfyn

Amser i Greu Cenedlaetholwyr Newydd

Yn y 60au, cododd cenhedlaeth o aelodau ifanc ac actifyddion o fewn y blaid, i gyd wedi cael eu ysbyrdoli gan arweiniaeth Gwynfor Evans. Mae nifer o'r bobl hyn bellach yn aelodau etholedig - unai yn gynghorwyr, aelodau Cynulliad neu aelodau Seneddol. Rwyf yn eithriadol o falch fy mod wedi bod yn un ohonynt.

Roedda ni gyd yn arfer mynychu nifer o ddigwyddiadau hyfforddi oedd yn rhoi cyfle i ni drafod a datblygu syniadau ynglyn a chenedlaetholdeb, ynghyd a'r ffordd orau i ennill hunan lywodraeth. Mae hyn yn amlwg o'r nifer o bamffledi a llyfrau oedd yn cael eu cyhoeddi gan Blaid Cymru ar y pryd. Mae angen creu'r hinsawdd briodol fel bod hyn yn digwydd eto. Rydym angen herio syniadau'n gilydd. Nid yw hyn yn wendid, mae'n gryfder. Mae angen i ni greu cenedlaetholwyr ac actifyddion newydd neu fydd ganddo ni neb i wireddu'n polisiau a'n dyheadau ar gyfer Cymru yn y dyfodol.

Dyma pam yr wyf yn cynnig y syniadau canlynol:

Ail-lawnsio'r ysgol haf fel ei fod yn cyfarfod o leiaf unwaith y flwyddyn mewn gwahanol rannau o Gymru. Byddai hyn yn rhoi cyfle i'n aelodau ddod at eu gilydd i drafod a dysgu sut mae ymgyrchu'n effeithiol ynghyd a chyfnewid syniadau. Dydi bod yn aelod o'r blaid a gwneud dim byd arall ond talu ffi blynyddol ddim yn symud yr agenda ymlaen. Rhaid creu actifyddion newydd.

Yn y tymor hir, hoffwn ffurfioli'r syniad o ysgol haf drwy agor canolfan hyfforddiant fyddai yn cynnig cyrsiau preswyl dros benwythnosau i'n hactifyddion.


Yr Amser i fod yn brif plaid Cymru

Dwi eisiau gweld Plaid Cymru yn dod yn blaid naturiol Cymru mewn llywodraeth. Mae'n llwyddiannau yn 2007 a 2008 wedi profi bod hyn yn gyfangwbwl realistig bellach a wnawn ni ddim derbyn dim byd llai na hyn. Mi wna'i, fel Llywydd, weithio'n galed i sicrhau hynny.


Amser i Plaid fod yn blaid i Gymru gyfan

Erbyn hyn mae yna aelod etholedig o Blaid Cymru ym mhob cymuned yng Nghymru. Rwyf eisiau adeiladu ar y llwyddiannau hyn a tyfu'r blaid yn yr ardaloedd hynny lle rydym dim ond wedi dechrau ennill tir. Rhan allweddol o hyn fydd rhoddi cydnabyddiaeth a chefnogaeth iawn i'n Cynghorwyr Cymuned a Sir.

Rhaid i ni sicrhau ein bod yn gwrando ar y cyhoedd ac yn ymateb yn briodol. Gwleidyddiaeth gymunedol yw un o brif gryfderau Plaid Cymru. Rhaid ail-fywiogi hyn er mwyn gwneud cynnydd yn y dyfodol.

Amser am adnoddau priodol

Heb os, mae angen codi arian er mwyn gwireddu fy nghynlluniau. Mae fy mhrofiad diweddar fel Cadeirydd Pwyllgor Gwaith yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol ym Mala wedi dangos imi ei bod hi'n bosibl codi arian os rhowch chi ddelfryd atyniadol i bobl. Os medrwn danio'r dychymyg, fe wnawn ni godi arian. Gallwn wneud hyn drwy ddangos i bobl Cymru pam ein bod ni'n wahanol i'r pleidiau eraill. Rhaid profi ein bod ni' n blaid sydd yn gwrando ac yn gweithredu, a credaf mai'r ffordd orau i wneud hynny ydi drwy ddychwelyd at wleidyddiaeth gymunedol gadarn.

Byddwn hefyd yn ail-lawnsio Clwb y Llywydd ar ei newydd wedd. Byddwn yn cynnal digwyddiadau mewn gwahanol rannau o Gymru. Byddwn yn dennu siaradwyr difyr, cantorion ac actorion ayyb i fynychu. Byddai yn gyfrwng i galanogi ein haelodau ynghyd a bod yn ffordd dda i godi swm sylweddol o arian.

Byddwn yn dechrau ymgyrch i godi'r nifer o aelodau sydd ganddom drwy ofyn ac annog pob aelod i sicrhau dau aelod newyd, ynghyd at ysgrifennu at gefnogwyr amlwg yn gofyn iddynt ymaelodi. Dau syniad syml iawn ond hynod o effeithiol!


Amser i Ymgyrchu'n broffesiynol

Byddwn yn sicrhau ein bod yn trefnu digwyddiadau ymgyrchu rheolaidd ym mhob rhanbarth rhestr y Cynulliad. Byddwn yn gofyn i aelodau o ardaloedd cyfagos i ddod i helpu gydag ymgyrchoedd penodol. Byddai hyn hefyd yn rhoi cyfle i actifyddion newydd ymarfer eu sgiliau ymgyrchu tu allan i adeg etholiad.

Amser am Lai o fiwrocratiaeth

Mae yna ormod o fiwrocratiaeth o fewn y Blaid ar y funud a rydym yn gwastraffu gormod o amser ac arian ar bwyllgorau mewnol. Dylem ostwng y nifer o weithiau mae'r pwyllgor gwaith yn cyfarfod i unwaith bob dau fis gan sicrhau bod penderfyniadau brys yn cael eu cymeryd drwy wneud defnydd o dechnoleg, megis cynhadleddau ffon a fideo a hefyd ebost.

Amser am Gynhadledd iawn!

Rydym yn poeni'n ormodol o fewn y Blaid ynglyn a phresenoldeb camerau yn ein cynhadledd flynddol ac rydym yn ofni anghytuno gyda'n gilydd. Ddyla bod ganddo ni ddim ofn cael trafodaethau treiddgar a heriol yn ein cynhadledd. Byddai hyn yn profi fod ganddom hyder fel plaid i drafod a dadlau heb iddo gael ei gymeryd yn bersonol, neu'n gwneud i ni edrych yn ranedig. Fedrwn ni ddim cytuno ar bopeth, felly lle gwell i gael trafodaethau iawn na yn ein cynhadledd flynyddol? Dyna ni ddim eisiau i'n cynhadleddau ymdebygu i rai diflas, arwynebol a di-fflach Llafur Newydd a'r Ceidwadwyr.

Dylem hefyd sicrhau bod y pwyllgor llywio yn paratoi adroddiad ar gyfer y pwyllgor gwaith yn egluro pam bod cynigion wedi cael eu derbyn neu eu gwrthod. Byddai hyn yn sicrhau tryloywder i'n cynhadledd.

Amser i ddysgu gan ein cymdogion Celtaidd

Gallwn ddysgu llawer iawn gan bleidiau gwleidyddol yn yr Iwerddon a'r Alban. Fel Llywydd, byddwn yn creu cysylltiadau cryfach gyda'r pleidiau hyn fel bod gwell cyd-weithio a chyfle i gyfnewid syniadau rhyngom. Gwn bod hyn fanteisiol o fy nghydweithio yn San Steffan gyda Alex Salmond a'r SNP dros y blynyddoedd a byddwn yn parhau i adeiladu ar hyn yn y dyfodol.

Amser am Newid - Etholwn Elfyn

Credaf bod yr amser wedi dod am newid. Rhaid dychwelyd at ein cryfderau a'n daliadau traddodiadol er mwyn ail-fywiogi y blaid er mwyn mynd a'n cenedl ymlaen gyda hyder yn y dyfodol. I wneud hyn, rhaid cael newid o fewn y blaid a rhaid i ni annog mwy o weithgarwch gan ein aelodau a'n actifyddion. Mae gen i'r profiad, yr amser, yr awydd a'r ymroddiad i wneud y newidiadau angenrheidiol a trawsnewid Plaid Cymru.

Os ydych yn cytuno gyda fy ngweledigaeth i greu'r blaid yn blaid ar gyfer y dyfodol ond sydd yn aros yn driw i'w daliadau craidd, byddwn yn gwerthfawrogi eich cefnogaeth yn yr etholiad hwn.

Gallwch gofrestru eich cefnogaeth drwy fy ebostio: elfyn.llwyd@gmail.com

My Manifesto - English Version

Elect Elfyn: A Time for Change

Running for the Presidency of Plaid Cymru is not a decision taken lightly. Being elected from amongst the members of Plaid Cymru to be the head of the voluntary wing of the party is one of the biggest honours open to any nationalist. Looking back at past Presidents, from Gwynfor Evans and Dafydd Wigley to Dafydd Iwan it is with some humility that I agreed to put my name forward as a candidate.

I live, as you may know, in Llanuwchllyn, in the heartland of Wales, a village where the Welsh language is the language of the hearth, the chapel, the choir, the pub and the street. I see the intrinsic beauty and worth of this community and many others like it every day through my work as MP for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy. It is this which drives my love for Wales and feeds my desire to see our country take its rightful place in the world.

Over the years, I have campaigned in every corner of our country and I have seen time after time the huge potential that both Plaid Cymru and Wales have to offer. The past 12 months has been like a breath of fresh air as that potential is at last starting to be realised, with four Plaid Cymru ministers in our national government making sure that the needs of Wales are always put first. I believe that it is now time for us to step up to the mark and revamp the party machine itself.

In this manifesto I put forward proposals which draw on our traditional strengths and values and set out how I would put these to use to re-invigorate our local branches, re-energise our activists and members and most importantly grow the party to ensure an even stronger voice for our nation in the years leading to independence.

Elfyn

A Time to Create New Nationalists

In the 60s, a generation of young members and activists, inspired by the leadership provided by Gwynfor Evans, became involved with Plaid Cymru. Amongst this group were many young nationalists who are, by now, elected members of Plaid Cymru - either as Councillors, Assembly Members or Members of Parliament. I am immensely proud to have been one of them.

During that period we all used to attend training events in order to discuss and develop ideas about nationalism and the best way to achieve self government. This is obvious from the number of pamphlets and books that were published by during that time. We need to create the right climate for the development of ideas; we need to challenge each other. This is not a weakness, it is a strength. We need to create a new generation of nationalists and activists.

That's why I am proposing:

Re-launch the Summer School so that it meets at least once a year in different parts of Wales. This would give our members the opportunity to come together to discuss and learn how to campaign effectively, as well as swap ideas. Being a member of Plaid who simply pays an annual fee doesn't move our agenda forward. We must motivate and create new activists.


In the longer term, I'd like this idea to be formalised by opening a training centre which would offer residential courses for our activists.



A Time to become the main party in Wales

I want to see Plaid Cymru becoming the natural party of government in Wales. Our success in 2007 and 2008 shows that this is achievable, and we won't accept anything less. As President, I will work hard to ensure that this happens.



Time for a party for the whole of Wales

By now there is a Plaid Cymru elected representative covering every community in Wales. I want to build on this success and grow the party in those areas where we are just breaking through. Crucial to this is ensuring proper recognition and support for Community and County Councillors.

We must ensure that we listen to the public and react accordingly. Plaid Cymru has always been at its best in community politics. We must re-invigorate that in order to make gains in the future.

Time for proper resourcing

Without a shadow of a doubt, money is needed if I am to fulfil my plans. My recent experience as the Chairperson of the Steering Committee of the National Eisteddfod in Bala has shown me that it is possible to raise money if you give people an attractive ideal. If we can fire people's imagination, we will raise money. We can do this by showing the people of Wales how and why we differ to other political parties. We must show that we are a party that listens and acts, and I believe that the best way to do that is by returning to firm community politics.

I'd also re-launch the President's Club. I'd organise events throughout Wales. I'd attract interesting speakers, singers, actors and so on to attend. This would be a way to raise the spirit of our members and also raise a substantial amount of money.

I'd start a campaign to raise our number of members by asking every current member to find two new members and writing to all known supporters inviting them to join. Two very simple but effective ideas!

Time for Professional Campaigning

I'd ensure that we organise regular campaigns in every list region of the Assembly. I would ask members from nearby areas to help with specific campaigns. This would also give an opportunity for our new activists to practice their campaigning skills outside of an election period.

A Time for Less bureaucracy

There is far too much bureaucracy within Plaid at the moment and we are wasting far money and time on internal committees. We should decrease the number of times the National Executive meets to once every two months and ensure that urgent decisions are taken making use of 21^st Century technology such as video and telephone conferencing as well as e-mail.

Time for real conference!

I think we worry far too much about the presence of cameras at our conference, and are scared of disagreeing with one another. We should embrace the fact that we can have deep and provocative discussions at our conference. This would show to everyone that we as a party have the confidence to discuss and disagree with one another without taking it personally or worry about making it look like we are divided. We cannot possibly agree on every single issue, so where better to have a full and frank discussion than at our conference? We do not want to end up with the bland showpieces of New Labour or the Conservatives.

We should ensure that the steering committee prepares a report for the National Executive explaining why motions have been accepted or rejected. This would ensure a greater level of transparency.

A Time to learn from Our Celtic Cousins

We can learn a lot from political parties in Ireland and Scotland. As President, I would form stronger links with these parties so that we can swap ideas and work together on certain issues. I know how beneficial this can be from my work over the years at Westminster with Alex Salmond and the SNP, and I would continue to build on this in the future.

A Time for Change - Elect Elfyn

I believe the time has come for change. We need to draw on our traditions and our deeply held values, to renew our party so that we are ready to take our nation forward. To do this we need change within the party, we need to re-energise our members and activists. I have the experience, the drive and the commitment to make those changes and transform Plaid Cymru.

If you agree with my vision of a forward looking party that remains true to its core beliefs please support me in this election.

You can register your support by emailing me: elfyn.llwyd@gmail.com