2003 Plaid Cymru leadership election

The 2003 Plaid Cymru leadership election was held following the resignation of Ieuan Wyn Jones after a disappointing showing in the 2003 Assembly elections where the party fell from 17 to 12 seats.

2003 Plaid Cymru leadership election

8 May 2003 (2003-05-08) – 15 September 2003 (2003-09-15)

Candidate Ieuan Wyn Jones Helen Mary Jones Rhodri Glyn Thomas First round 2,078 2,089 1,014 Percentage 40.1% 40.3% 19.6% Final round 2,603 2,532 — Percentage 50.7% 49.3% —

Leader before election Ieuan Wyn Jones Elected Leader Ieuan Wyn Jones

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 whom he had defeated three years previously, as well as Rhodri Glyn Thomas.

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

Supporters included:

• Dafydd Elis Thomas, former Plaid Cymru President and AM for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy
• Elfyn Llwyd, MP for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy

Helen Mary Jones

Supporters included:

• Dafydd Wigley, former Plaid Cymru President
• Hywel Williams, MP for Caernarfon
• Dafydd Iwan
• Cllr Lindsay Whittle, Caerphilly Council Leader

Rhodri Glyn Thomas

Supporters included:

Results

Candidate	First round		Second round
	Votes	%	Transfers	Votes	%
Ieuan Wyn Jones	2,078	40.1	525	2,603	50.7
Helen Mary Jones	2,089	40.3	443	2,532	49.3
Rhodri Glyn Thomas	1,014	19.6
Total	5,181	100	968	5,135	100

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