1981 Plaid Cymru presidential election

The 1981 Plaid Cymru presidential election^{[n 1]} was held following the resignation of Gwynfor Evans, who had led the party since 1945. The election followed both the defeat at the 1979 general election of Evans in Carmarthen and the defeat earlier that year of the Yes side in 1979 devolution referendum.

1981 Plaid Cymru presidential election

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Candidate Dafydd Wigley Dafydd Elis Thomas First round 273 212 Percentage 56.28% 43.71%

President (Leader) before election Gwynfor Evans Elected President (Leader) Dafydd Wigley

The contest was between Caernarfon MP Dafydd Wigley and Meirionnydd Nant Conwy MP Dafydd Elis Thomas, both of whom had entered the House of Commons in February 1974.

The contest was won by Dafydd Wigley,^[1] who went on to serve until 1984.^[2]

Notes

1. The Party leader was referred to as the president until March 2000 when the separate role of Leader was created

References

1. "Left foiled in Plaid Cymru Election". The Guardian (Page 2). 2 November 1981. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
2. "Lecture to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales (Page 12)" (PDF). Hanes Plaid Cymru (Plaid Cymru History). Dr John Davies. 3 July 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2020.