Dafydd Iwan could command popular support

He wants to succeed of Ieuan Wyn Jones, who announced his resignation following his party's poor performance in the Welsh assembly election in which it lost five of its 17 seats.

Mr Iwan has been the party's vice president for three years, and is also a councillor and a businessman.

He sees himself as a grassroots candidate, without close ties to the party's groups in either Westminster or Cardiff Bay.

Dafydd Iwan has carved out a cult name for himself on the Welsh folk circuit, singing traditional cultural songs.

Elwyn Vaughan hit out at 'prima donnas and vipers' in the party

But he is also a political animal, and said he felt the party needed a "neutral" candidate not affiliated to its MPs and AMs.

Splits in the party are running deep and a candidate not tainted by recent blood-letting could appeal as caretaker whilst Plaid regroups.

Mr Iwan said he wanted to concentrate on re-building the party.

"I think it's important for us, for the next couple of years, to re-establish the ownership of the party amongst the ordinary members of Plaid Cymru." he said.

"We are a party for the ordinary people of Wales, and our aim is self-government for Wales, and we need to make that clear."

He said he was running for the presidency because he had burning ambition for his country.

"The impression that no one wanted the job is something that I wanted to break because I certainly am very keen to be president of the party, to re-invigorate the message of Plaid Cymru to the people of Wales." he said.

"We have to share the blame for the poor performance during the assembly elections, but if close results had gone our way then we'd be talking of a very different situation."

Splits

Mr Jones quit after losing the support of half his own group in the assembly, following the 1 May election, when Plaid lost five seats.

It prompted recrimination from some sections of the party, with calls for discipline from Westminster and Plaid's upper echelons.

I think it's important for us, for the next couple of years, to re-establish the ownership of the party amongst the ordinary members of Plaid Cymru Dafydd Iwan

Several figures - Simon Thomas, Jill Evans and Alun Ffred Jones - have ruled themselves out of the race to the leadership.

Helen Mary Jones - who braved accusations she plotted against Ieuan Wyn Jones - is still considering a bid of her own.

Timetable

Rhodri Glyn Thomas' new deputy assembly leader post could prove a vantage point from which to mount an effort.

Other candidates have appeared reluctant to say firmly whether they will throw their hat in the ring.

Nominations opened on 12 May and will not close until 4 July, with an appointment not expected until close to September.

The winner - or winners, if the assembly leader and president posts are split - will have to heal rifts within the party and reclaim impressive gains from the 1999 election - all lost this time around.

Plaid's potential leader
Phil Williams		Sharp, but retired AM says he will not bow to pressure from a campaign to have him stand.
Rhodri Glyn Thomas		New deputy assembly leader wants promotion - if party president comes from outside assembly.
Elfyn Llwyd		Parliamentary leader "could be persuaded" to throw his hat in the ring.
Pauline Jarman		Rhondda Cynon Taf council leader may stand despite no longer being an AM.
Helen Mary Jones		Having denied plotting against Ieuan Wyn Jones, the ex-Llanelli AM is taking soundings.
Dafydd Iwan		Popular vice president pitching himself as healing caretaker candidate.

Out of the race
Jill Evans		Euro MP will instead focus on European Parliament election, but wants leader from outside assembly.
Dai Lloyd		Health spokesman will not stand after involvement in Ieuan Wyn Jones' downfall.
Simon Thomas		MP will commit time to constituency and family rather than fight for leadership.
Alun Ffred Jones		Dafydd Wigley's successor as Caernarfon AM said suggestions he may stand are 'ridiculous'.