Plaid Cymru: Mark Drakeford, Andrew RT Davies and Elin Jones pay tribute in Senedd as Adam Price steps down

Party leaders have paid tribute within the Senedd to Adam Price as he steps down as chief of Plaid Cymru.

Mr Price thanked his household in his remaining contribution to First Minister’s Questions as celebration chief.

He thanked “everyone who’s shown kindness to me in recent days” after he stepped down following a damning report into allegations of a “toxic culture” within Plaid – the Senedd’s solely celebration which helps independence for Wales.

“The final but most important thanks is to my family who are here today and are looking forward to more of my presence over the years ahead of us,” he added.

Llyr Gruffydd will take over as interim chief of the celebration on Wednesday, whereas nominations for contenders wishing to grow to be the following everlasting chief will shut on 16 June.

Mr Price additionally thanked Mark Drakeford, the primary minister of Wales, with whom he negotiated a cooperation settlement between the Labour authorities and Plaid Cymru following the final election.

“Leading a party is not an easy task but it is even more difficult to lead a nation,” he stated.

“Your performance as first minister has always felt like an extended audition to become in the future Welsh republic our version of Michael D Higgins.”

There was laughter from members as Mr Price added: “It is a compliment coming from us.”

Pride regardless of ‘painful’ resignation

The outgoing chief of Plaid Cymru, who has been in submit since 2018, indicated how troublesome his resolution to resign had been.

“Good government needs good scrutiny and accountability is the bedrock of any democracy, not just for governments but oppositions too and that means not just seeking responsibility in others but accepting it in oneself, painful though that sometimes may be,” he stated.

He ended his contribution to FMQs with a rallying cry to make the Senedd extra consultant of those that elect it.

“It took a long while for this gay council house boy from Tumble to have pride in himself,” he added.

“I never would have believed back then that I would get to sit in this chair.

“I need the youth of our nation, ladies and men in equal quantity, each race, each creed, LGBTQ+ and disabled, the working class particularly, to really feel as if this place belongs to them, represents them, speaks for them as a lot because it does for anybody.

“I want them to see people like them occupying my chair, your chair, every chair.”

Drakeford hails ‘monumental quantity of settlement’

Mr Drakeford stated in response: “We disagree on many things, and that’s the beauty of our democracy is that we can do that and we can do that here while knowing that behind those individual examples of disagreement, there lies an enormous amount of agreement about the purpose of politics here in Wales.”

Leader of the opposition, Andrew RT Davies, added: “I would like to thank him [Adam Price] for the courtesies he has extended to me during our time as leaders of our various groups here.

“Our politics are utterly totally different, and I’m positive he loved that endorsement, however it’s at all times good outdoors of the political setting the place you may share a light-hearted second.”

Read extra:
Adam Price: The son of destiny
Plaid Cymru appoints interim leader

The Llywydd (presiding officer), Elin Jones, made a jovial reference to the size of Mr Price’s remaining assertion.

“Indeed, Adam Price, true to your word you did test the patience of the Llywydd with the length of… your final statement,” she stated.

“But best wishes to you, Adam, for your future in this Senedd,” she added.