Updated: YouTube!
New video endorsements of Kirsty’s campaign to lead the Welsh Liberal Democrats have been added to Kirsty’s YouTube channel. Click on the link on the right or click here to see them!
Kirsty Williams is Leader
The Vision to Succeed
Newport starts the hustings ball rolling
Well the first hustings has taken place in Newport at the King’s Hotel.
Kirsty was really pleased to take the opportunity to meet and chat with so many members of the party and discuss her vision for the future of the party.
Each candidate had up to twenty minutes to speak at the beginning, and Kirsty discussed her exciting plans for both her Leaders Forum and Acadamy of Liberalism, plus had a chance to put her vision for the party forward to all those present. If you didn’t manage to make it to Newport, you can download a copy of Kirsty’s manifesto “A Vision for a Liberal Wales” in the bar on the right.
We are all now looking forward to Friday’s hustings in Aberystwyth. If you want more details about this event or the other hustings, please click here.
Williams will transform the Welsh Lib Dem’s communiqué
During Newport’s Welsh Liberal Democrat leadership hustings last night Kirsty Williams said she would transform the party to transform Wales.
She called for a strategic approach to moving the Welsh Liberal Democrats forward and for a move away from the internal naval gazing of constitutional amendments to an outward focus on connecting with the people of Wales: “We need to talk in the language of real people, not in the language of lobbyists and hard-bitten activists.
“Let’s start from where people are, and let’s get out and hear what they’ve go to say. That’s exactly what Group leaders like Cllr Ed Townsend in Newport and Cllr Phyl Hobson in Monmouth are doing and I am delighted they are supporting my campaign.”
Setting out her leadership style Kirsty called for the party to work with her to make the transformation: “This is a time for raising our sights, for being far more ambitious for ourselves - for our Party, and most of all for our country; for the sake not just of ourselves, but of our children and our grandchildren.
“This is a time for reaching out to people, for reaching out beyond Cardiff and the political establishment.
“If elected leader, I will lead from the front, with passion, conviction, and principle.
“Under my leadership there will be no ‘no go’ areas in this great country of ours. We are weak in some parts of Wales – such as the Valleys of South Wales and parts of Welsh-speaking Wales. This is unacceptable – our fellow citizens in those parts of Wales deserve to hear and see the Welsh Lib Dems too. I am the candidate to take our messages and the fight to all parts of Wales.”
Cllr Edward Townsend, Leader Newport City Council and candidate for Newport East was amongst Kirsty’s supporters attending the hustings.
He said: “I asked myself a simple question before backing Kirsty Williams as our next leader: “Who would our opponents least like to see leading our party?” We cannot be satisfied with six AMs and just four MPs.
“If we are to make a mark on Wales, then we have to surprise a few people with what we do. Our campaigning has to gain an edge that makes our opponents fear us.
“The next stage in our party’s development will need drive, enthusiasm, credibility, political acumen and the ability to speak sheer common sense. Kirsty has all of those qualities - and she is the one Labour, Conservative and Plaid Cymru politicians most definitely don’t want to see winning.
“We need a leader with the determination, vision and passion to take us to the next level. Kirsty will inspire our activists and make sure we take the fight to the other parties and win.
“That is why I’m backing her to be the next leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats.”
Merthyr Cllr - Williams’ supporter of the day
Kirsty Williams, Welsh Lib Dem Leadership contender continues to gain support from across Wales. Today her supporter of the day is Councillor Bob Griffin, from Merthyr Tydfil.
Bob says:
“It is fair to say no recent election for Leader has come at a more difficult and trying time for Wales.
“What we need at this crucial moment in history is a leader who can inspire us, to be loud and clear in explaining the Liberal Democrat policies to get the Welsh nation back on its feet, to champion the work we do in local councils, and reinvigorate our challenge to the other parties in the Welsh Assembly. Above all we need a good communicator, someone who can win the media debates, and raise the profile of the Liberal Democrats in Wales.
“I believe the candidate to do this is Kirsty Williams.”
Mae’r Cynghorydd Bob Griffin o Merthyr Tudful yn cefnogi Kirsty…
“Mae’n deg dweud na fu unrhyw etholiad arweinydd wedi digwydd mewn cyfnod mwy anodd na gofidus yn hanes Cymru.
“Ar yr adeg allweddol hon yn ein hanes, mae angen arweinydd sy’n gallu’n hysbrydoli, i esbonio â llais uchel ac eglur, polisïau’r Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol i gael Cymru yn ôl ar ei thraed, i hybu’n gwaith yn y cynghorau lleol ac i adfywio’n her i’r pleidiau eraill yng Nghynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru. Yn fwy na dim, mae angen cyfathrebwr da arnom, rhywun sy’n gallu ennill y dadleuon yn y cyfryngau a chodi proffil y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yng Nghymru.
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Manifesto
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