Western Mail Independence takes a back seat for now

ANOTHER year, another upbeat Plaid Cymru conference ~ but this one was different.

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For the first time in goodness knows how long, Plaid and its leader Rhun ap Iorwerth can taste power.

As Labour's historic stranglehold on politics in Wales is attacked on several fronts, Plaid and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK look set to pick up the votes.

If the polls are to be believed, next year’s Senedd election is neck and neck between Plaid and Reform, leaving Labour and Tories floundering in their wake.

But, as many conference attendees were keen to emphasise, there’s a long way to go before Mr ap Iorwerth sits in the First Minister’s chair and Welsh politics as we know it is turned upside down.