Labour Candidate Switches to Plaid Cymru

A former Parliamentary candidate for the Labour Party has switched his allegiance to Plaid Cymru – the Party of Wales, saying his former party is ‘unrecognisable’ to the one he joined as a youngster.

Alwyn Humphreys, of Rhosllanerchrugog, has been an active Labour Party member in the Wrexham area for several years, was a Labour Parliamentary candidate in 2010 and was selected as the party’s Assembly candidate in one of their key target seats in 2011. He is also a long-standing supporter of the Trade Union movement.

The decision to leave the Labour Party comes as a result or Mr Humphreys finding the group unrecognisable.

Announcing his decision to join Plaid Cymru – the Party of Wales, Mr Humphreys said: “I have been a loyal Labour Party Member, like my father before me, for many years. As the celebrated author Irvine Welsh said, ‘I didn’t leave Labour, they left me’.

“The values that I and many other grassroots Labour members have of caring for others, standing up for our rights, and giving power to ordinary people are the values that got me involved in politics. I found Plaid Cymru actively campaigning on these values while Labour were increasingly supporting Tory policies that are inflicting more hurt on the vulnerable and the poorest.”

Mr Humphreys added: “Plaid Cymru are involved at a community level with many campaigns close to my heart. When they get the opportunity they make a real positive difference. Plaid Cymru offers a vision of hope for Wales and our communities, and I look forward to playing my part in achieving success for the party locally.”

Plaid Cymru candidate for Clwyd South, Mabon ap Gwynfor, welcomed the party’s newest member and said: “Alwyn Humphreys is a doer. He cares about his community of Rhos and cares about others. This is also what Plaid Cymru is about, and Mr Humphreys has found a welcoming home in Plaid Cymru.

“Alwyn, like many others recently, has joined Plaid Cymru because he wants to see Wales and the people living here reach their full potential, and not lag at the bottom of every international indicator.

“Improving our economy, creating jobs and opportunities is essential. That’s why Plaid Cymru want to ensure a living wage, currently £7.65 an hour, for all workers. Scrapping costly projects such as new nuclear weapons and the HS2 train link between London and Leeds would put an extra £20.25m to Wrexham Council every year, which would mean that they wouldn’t have to cut services.

“Following next year’s Westminster election it is likely that no one party will be in control and Plaid Cymru, in a progressive alliance with the Greens and SNP, could hold the balance of power. Experienced political commentators estimate this grouping could have as many as 40 MPs after May 2015. That’s why a vote for Plaid Cymru in Westminster can make a real difference.”