Plaid conference to focus on economy
Plaid Cymru's spring conference gets underway on Anglesey with a promise to focus on 'transforming the economy'
Plaid Cymru wants to go further and faster
Plaid Cymru calls for a wide range of powers, including policing and criminal justice, to be devolved as soon as possible
Welsh business bank: the Conservative view
The Welsh Conservatives' Shadow finance minister sets out his view of what sort of business bank Wales needs and why
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Ieuan Wyn Jones to step down as Ynys Mon AM
Former Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones is to leave politics and take up a new role. The Assembly Member today thanked the people of Ynys Mon - where he has been an AM since 1999.
A by-election will now take place when Mr Wyn Jones takes up his new role as Head of the Menai Science Park project.
Ian Lang reports.
Ieuan Wyn Jones: 'no rush' to call Ynys Mon by-election
"I'll actually be starting in the job in July, and then I'll be discussing with the party locally the precise that at which I'll be standing down from the Assembly" Ieuan Wyn Jones tells ITV News.
"That is something which we're currently in no rush to do because there's just been a local government election and people are exhausted after that."
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Lib Dem leader's tribute to Ieuan Wyn Jones
Kirsty Williams, the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, has paid tribute to Plaid Cymru's Ieuan Wyn Jones who's announced he's stepping down from the Assembly.
On personal level Ieuan never showed me anything but the utmost kindness and courtesy...Undoubtedly the referendum for further powers was greatly assisted by his contribution. I wish him well as he leaves this chamber.
Legacy is secure but not seat
by Adrian MastersThe departure of Ieuan Wyn Jones from the Assembly marks the end of a lengthy political career that often defied expectations. Despite a challenge which curtailed his leadership in 2003, he went on to regain overall control of Plaid Cymru and took the party into government with Labour in 2007.
Most agree that that first taste of government for Plaid and the achievement of a referendum which gave the Assembly lawmaking powers will form Ieuan Wyn Jones' legacy. He didn't have the charisma of leaders like Gwynfor Evans, Dafydd Elis-Thomas and Dafydd Wigley but he took his party into power.
A party strategist since he led Plaid Cymru's internal inquiry into the setbacks of 1979, Ieuan Wyn Jones emerged to snatch Ynys Mon at the 1987 General Election. Plaid lost the Westminster seat when he stood down from Parliament. Now it must defend the Assembly seat without him.
Opposition leader's praise for Ieuan Wyn Jones
Opposition leader Andrew RT Davies has joined tributes to the former leader of Plaid Cymru, Ieuan Wyn Jones, who's announced he'll be stepping down from the Assembly.
– Andrew RT Davies, leader of the OppositionIeuan has always been an effective Assembly Member and I applaud his many years of public service.
His time in Welsh politics has been unique. While serving as both a Member of Parliament and Member of the National Assembly, he has also taken his Party into government and served as Deputy First Minister.
It is fitting that this experience will be put to excellent use at the Menai Science Park.
While Ieuan and I may hold different opinions politically, I wish him well in his important endeavours to increase opportunities for the people of North Wales
Plaid's 'opportunity for new blood'
The departure of senior Plaid Cymru members creates an opportunity for 'an injection of new blood' in the party, according to the former minister Alun Ffred Jones. He was commenting on the news that former leader Ieuan Wyn Jones is to step down from the Assembly.
Alun Ffred Jones, whose also announced that he'll retire at the next election, paid tribute to the Ynys Mon AM saying that he was a politician who, unusually, had seen his stock rise over the years rather than vice versa.
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Ieuan Wyn Jones: science park will boost Anglesey jobs
I would like to thank the people of Ynys Môn for their support and assistance over the last twenty six years and more, and I am committed to continuing to serve their interests in the new role that I am taking up.
– Ieuan Wyn JonesI am fiercely committed to and passionate about creating a better economy for Anglesey and North West Wales. It is a beautiful part of the world, but people need good jobs to enjoy the benefits of living and working here.
I believe that the best contribution I can make in the next few years is lead the project to build Menai Science Park, and use the skills and expertise I have built up over many years to ensure that it plays a leading role in strengthening and broadening our economic base.
Former Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones steps down as AM
Ieuan Wyn Jones has confirmed he will stand down as Assembly Member for Ynys Mon, triggering a by-election.
He will take on a new job as head of the Menai science park project.
Plaid welcomes Welsh Govt move on council chiefs pay
Plaid Cymru has welcomed the Welsh Government's move to introduce an independent panel to limit the pay of council chief executives. The move is contained in an amendment tabled by the Local Government minister to the local democracy bill.
All three opposition parties had joined forces to force the u-turn by the Welsh Government by threatening to vote against the bill. Plaid's Simon Thomas confirmed that his party will support the legislation and has confidence that the independent panel will keep salary levels down.
He also dismissed warnings from the Welsh Local Government Association that the move could lead to legal challenges. He said the WLGA had been 'defending the indefensible' and hoped that, after 'an initial flurry of huffing and puffing' it would offer leadership.
Transfer power over probation service says Plaid
Responsibility for the probation service here in Wales should be transferred to the Welsh Government in the face of privatisation fears, according to the Plaid Cymru leader. Leanne Wood is expected to make her call at a conference in Cardiff of women working in the probation service.
A former probation officer herself, Leanne Wood is expected to tell the conference
Privatising the probation service is just the latest in a long line of policies which people will pay for heavily, policies from the Ministry of Justice in Westminster which shows that their values are not values shared by people in Wales.
We have also see the closure of local magistrates’ courts and police stations, cuts to legal aid and new proposals that would limit the choice of solicitors, as well as pointless police commissioners.
– Leanne Wood, Plaid Cymru leaderIt is clear that if we want a justice system that is in line with our political values here in Wales, then responsibility for the whole of the criminal justice system should be devolved to us here in Wales.
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