Cynog Dafis wants to expand Plaid membership more exciting

Mr Dafis, who only stepped down from active politics at the Welsh assembly election earlier this month, said he can unite and re-inspire the party after its poor results in that poll.

He will be supported in his bid by Plaid's Parliamentary leader, Elfyn Llwyd, who has announced he will not be running for the post.

Mr Dafis' candidacy follows folk singer Dafydd Iwan's announcement on Tuesday that he is to bid for the presidency.

Both candidates are hoping to succeed Ieuan Wyn Jones, who announced his resignation after Plaid lost five of its 17 seats in the May 1 poll.

Pressure

Mr Dafis said he recognised the party needed a proper analysis following its poor performance in the recent election.

The lessons from that would be picked over at a two-day executive meeting in June.

But he also said one of his main strategies for leadership would be to motivate Plaid's younger members and make membership "a more exciting thing".

Mr Dafis is a veteran Plaid Cymru politician and policy-maker for the party.

Dafydd Iwan is also in the running for the leadership

He became the MP for Ceredigion in 1992 when he won the former Liberal seat of Ceredigion and Pembroke North.

During the Welsh assembly election in 1999, he was elected as one of 17 Plaid Cymru Assembly Members.

And in 2000 he resigned from his Westminster seat in order to concentrate on his new role.

In 2002, he announced that he would not be contesting his seat in the 2003 Welsh assembly election, along with the former Plaid Cymru president Dafydd Wigley.

At 65, he now feels that he can play an independent role as the new president.

"The time needs to come when the leadership of Plaid Cymru will be transferred to another generation - but that time is not yet," said Mr Dafis.

"Having retired, I will have the time to give to this work over the next two years."

Cynog will unify the party and we can build on our weaknesses Elfyn Llwyd

"The Party of Wales has experienced a period of remarkable success and growth over the last decade, followed by disappointment in this year's National Assembly elections." he said.

"It is now time therefore to assess Plaid's performance hitherto and to prepare for the next stage in its development."

Elfyn Llwyd said Mr Dafis was the best person to lead the party.

Mr Llwyd said he would not be standing due to the logistical problem of being based in London would hinder his leadership.

"Cynog commands great respect from within and outside the party. I am looking forward, as Parliamentary Leader, to lending him all the support that I can," he said.

"He will unify the party and we can build on our weaknesses."