Plaid Cymru: the Welsh National Party

Abstract

Nationalism has long been a force in Welsh politics, and since 1925 its cause has been most actively articulated by Plaid Cymru. The party’s message, however, made little impact in the wider context of British politics until its dramatic victory in the Carmarthen by-election in July 1966. From that date Plaid Cymru has maintained a vigorous public presence in Wales, but has failed to match the spectacular growth and achievements of its Scottish counterpart — the Scottish National Party.