Issue 1191
Rhifyn 1191
Cardiff University’s student paper | Established 1972
22 May 2023
gair rhydd
22 Mai 2023
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Inside: The Cost of Coronation Crisis (Page 16)
Adam Price resigns as Plaid Cymru Leader
Katherine Seymour Head of Politics
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dam Price has resigned as leader of Plaid Cymru following a report finding in-party misogyny, harassment, and bullying. Llyr Gruffydd has taken over as interim leader and has announced that he will not stand for election as leader. Plaid Cymru has faced several months of controversy with allegations of sexual assault made against a senior staff member - as well as Rhys ab Owen being investigated by Standards Commissioner Douglas Bain. Allegations of predominantly gender-based discrimination have plagued the party. The Prosiect Pawb (Everyone’s Project) report said “inaction over many years, from those with positions of power to challenge bad behaviour has made a bad situation even worse”. MS Cefin Campbell agreed with these findings stating: “For too long... people have known about misconduct in Plaid Cymru, whether it’s misogyny, bullying, sexual harassment or whatever unacceptable behaviour”. He further asserted that the party now needed to change. Price’s resignation letter stated that he no longer had the “united support” of his colleagues and said that he had wanted to resign in the wake of the report but was persuaded to stay on. However, the announcement’s timing suggests that the meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) determined that Price could no longer tangibly stay on as leader. One source from the meeting told the BBC that some members raised the possibility of Adam Price remaining in pos but it was considered untenable given the seriousness of the findings of the review. Liz Saville Roberts, Westminster Leader for the party, said that Price was encouraged to consider remain-
ing in leadership originally because it was felt that the party needed stability to implement the recommendations which came from the report. However, she told BBC Breakfast that Price had to go because he had become a “distraction”. She ruled herself out of a leadership contest, saying any new leader would have to be an elected member in the Senedd. “I’m an MP in Westminster so that’s done and dusted,” she said. Interim leader Llyr Gruffydd has ruled himself out of the leadership contest. On being appointed interim leader, Gruffydd said: “I would like to thank Adam on behalf of the Plaid Cymru Senedd group for his vision, commitment, and dedication over the last four years”. Furthermore, in response to the report and alleged misogyny within the party he did say that he believed it was safe for women to join arguing “Obviously no party and no organisation is immune from these wider societal issues,That’s in no way abdicating our responsibility to get our house in order. “We’re being honest and transparent with people - we’re turning the page.” A newly arisen issue for the party from the report is the status of its cooperation agreement with Welsh Labour. Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has said that discussions about the arrangement will need to be had following “recent developments”. To read Katherine's full article, turn to page 10
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The Brecon Beacons National Park has announced that it will only be using its Welsh name from now on. Image: Nigel Swales (via Flickr)
New outlook for Bannau Brycheiniog annau Brycheiniog National Park has announced that it will be named it’s Welsh name from now on, instead of Breacon Beacons. The Welsh name dates back to the 16th century with poet John Leland. Although the name was officially established in 1957.
The name means Brychan’s Kingdom, which was the 5th or 6th century king from Ireland. Some may say that he was the father of Dwynwen the Welsh saint of love. This year the park is celebrating it’s 66th birthday and they’ve shared their new plan to tackle main global issues. The main focus is on nature and climate change. With the new management plan in place this sets the national park on
a road to reduce carbon emissions and reach net zero by 2035. Rural campaigners are worried about the sheep as they have introduced a plan to reduce grazing. The local farmers are being encouraged to farm and use their land in the most eco and climate friendly way
Megan Haf Davies
Shaniece O'Keeffe
Edward Sutton
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Beca Dalis Williams News Editor
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Arddangosfa y BBC yn 100 Golygydd Taf-od
Advice Editor
ae’n ganmlwyddiant y BBC yng Nghymru eleni, a dethlir y digwyddiad hwn gydag arddangosfa arbennig yng nghanol y ddinas, yn Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Cymru. Ar ôl mynychu’r arddangosfa ym mis Ebrill, cefais fy nhywys ar daith dros y Ganrif, o’r cychwyn cyntaf ym 1923 hyd at heddiw.
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Dealing with exam stress
ddarllen erthygl Megan am ei ymweliad, trowch i dudalen 14
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To read Beca's article on the divided opinion, turn to page 5 5
The Year of AI Head of Science
t’s that season again, where exams, assessments and coursework seem to have all been crammed into that intense two week period. This is the time where getting your life in order is a must. Academic burnout is real, and when there is constant stress and anxiety it can often create a negative mindset and environment which is hard to push away. To read Shaniece's top tips on how to navigate this stressful period, turn to page 18
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s the end of the academic years draws to a close, I wanted to reflect on one technology that has had a renaissance this year. That is AI - which has changed from feature buzzword to a completely new beast that has changed the way we approach the internet. To read Edward's reflections of the technology that dominated the year, turn to page 22.
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