| module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Leanne Wood makes the case for a Welsh 'Remain' vote.webm|title=Leanne Wood's voice|type=speech|description=Wood tells Welsh voters to vote for Remain in the 2016 Brexit referendum
Recorded 15 June 2016}}

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Leanne Wood (born 13 December 1971) is a Welsh politician who served as the leader of Plaid Cymru from March 2012 to September 2018, and served as a Member of the Senedd (MS) from 2003 to 2021.

Born in the Rhondda, she was elected to the then National Assembly for Wales in 2003, representing South Wales Central until 2016, when she was elected for Rhondda. She lost her seat to Welsh Labour at the 2021 Senedd election.

Ideologically, Wood identifies as a socialist, republican and proponent of Welsh independence. She was the first female leader of Plaid Cymru and the first to learn Welsh as an adult, rather than being brought up speaking Welsh.

Early life

Wood was born in Llwynypia Hospital on 13 December 1971,{{cite news |title=Your representatives; Leanne Wood |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/representatives/profiles/33490.stm |year=2011 |access-date=23 July 2011 |publisher=BBC |work=BBC News Democracy Live website |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227064545/http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/representatives/profiles/33490.stm |archive-date=27 February 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.debretts.com/people/biographies/browse/w/23617/Leanne+WOOD.aspx |title=Ms Leanne Wood, AM's biography |year=2011 |publisher=Debrett's |access-date=25 July 2011 |work=Debrett's website |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911094136/http://www.debretts.com/people/biographies/browse/w/23617/Leanne+WOOD.aspx |archive-date=11 September 2012 }} the daughter of Jeff and Avril (née James) Wood.[http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whoswho/U4000309 "Wood, Leanne"], Who's Who 2014, A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc, 2014; online edn, Oxford University Press, 2014; online . Retrieved 9 May 2015 (subscription required). She was brought up and still lives in the nearby village of Penygraig. She was educated at Tonypandy Comprehensive School (now Tonypandy Community College), and the University of Glamorgan (now the University of South Wales).{{cite news |author=Matt Withers |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/03/17/she-leads-one-of-wales-biggest-parties-but-who-really-is-leanne-wood-91466-30556182/#ixzz2GLJTCzWo |title=She leads one of Wales' biggest parties... but who is Leanne Wood? |date=12 March 2012 |access-date=28 December 2012 |publisher=Media Wales Ltd |newspaper=Western Mail |location=Cardiff |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719021948/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/03/17/she-leads-one-of-wales-biggest-parties-but-who-really-is-leanne-wood-91466-30556182/#ixzz2GLJTCzWo |archive-date=19 July 2012 }}{{cite news |author=Rob Jones |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/rhondda/2007/01/11/people-and-places-that-helped-shape-the-tonypandy-we-know-today-91466-18459885/ |title=People and places that helped shape the Tonypandy we know today |access-date=23 July 2011 |date=11 January 2007 |publisher=Media Wales Ltd |newspaper=Rhondda Leader |location=Pontypridd |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014145118/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/rhondda/2007/01/11/people-and-places-that-helped-shape-the-tonypandy-we-know-today-91466-18459885/ |archive-date=14 October 2012 }}

Career

From 1997 to 2000, Wood worked with the Mid Glamorgan Probation Service as a probation officer. From 1998 to 2000 she was co-chair of the National Association of Probation Officers. Wood worked as a support worker for Cwm Cynon Women's Aid from 2001 to 2002, where she has been Chair since 2001.{{cite web |url=http://www.moderngov.com/speakers/leanne-wood-2011 |title=Leanne Wood AM (Plaid, South Wales Central) |year=2011 |publisher=Understanding ModernGov |access-date=25 July 2011 |work=Understanding ModernGov website |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328043152/http://www.moderngov.com/speakers/leanne-wood-2011 |archive-date=28 March 2012 }} Wood lectured in social policy at Cardiff University from 2000, until her election to the National Assembly for Wales in 2003.{{cite web |url=http://www.senedd.assemblywales.org/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=185 |title=Leanne Wood? |year=2012 |access-date=28 December 2012 |publisher=National Assembly for Wales |work=National Assembly for Wales website |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905153152/http://senedd.assemblywales.org/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=185 |archive-date=5 September 2012 }}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4519104.stm |title=AM's prison claim over ID cards |date=12 December 2005 |publisher=BBC |access-date=25 July 2011 |work=BBC News website |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210102034/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4519104.stm |archive-date=10 December 2008 }}

Political career

Wood credits her political awakening to reading Marge Piercy's 1976 feminist classic Woman on the Edge of Time, and the 1984–85 UK miners' strike. Her political heroes include Lewis Lewis, one of the leaders of the 1831 Merthyr Rising.

After joining Plaid Cymru in 1991 aged 20, Wood was elected a Councillor for the Penygraig ward on Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council in 1995; she did not recontest the seat in 1999.

She unsuccessfully stood in both the 1997 and 2001 elections to the Parliament of the United Kingdom as a candidate in the Rhondda constituency. After leaving the probation service in 2000, she was Jill Evans MEP's political researcher until 2001. Wood was Chair of Cardiff Stop the War Coalition from 2003 to 2004.

=Senedd=

Wood was then elected as a Member of the National Assembly for Wales (AM) in the election of 1 May 2003, representing the South Wales Central region for Plaid. She was the party's Shadow Social Justice Minister between 2003 and 2007.

In December 2004, Wood, a republican, was the first Assembly Member to be ordered out of the chamber, after referring to the Queen as "Mrs Windsor" during a debate. Lord Elis-Thomas, a fellow Plaid Cymru AM and the Presiding Officer, asked Wood to withdraw the remark on the grounds of discourtesy. When Wood refused, she was ordered to leave.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/historic_moments/newsid_8199000/8199372.stm |title=Leanne Wood expelled from chamber |publisher=BBC |date=31 October 2009 |access-date=7 June 2011 |work=BBC News Democracy Live |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607204746/http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/historic_moments/newsid_8199000/8199372.stm |archive-date=7 June 2012 }} She later said: "I don't recognise the Queen ... I don't think I was treated fairly, I don't think it was necessary. I called her that because that's her name."{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/4060043.stm |title=AM expelled for 'Mrs Windsor' jibe |publisher=BBC |date=1 December 2004 |access-date=7 June 2011 |work=BBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728035540/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/4060043.stm |archive-date=28 July 2011 }}

Wood became Plaid Cymru's sustainability spokesperson from the formation of the One Wales government, a coalition between Labour and Plaid Cymru in July 2007, remaining in the role until the end of Assembly's term in 2011. While in the role, Wood campaigned on green issues, including calling for more land to be made available for growing food.{{cite news |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/09/07/a-lot-meant-by-an-allotment-91466-24622358/ |title=A lot meant by an allotment |date=7 September 2009 |access-date=6 August 2011 |publisher=Media Wales Ltd |newspaper=Western Mail; WalesOnline website |location=Cardiff |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090921060003/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/09/07/a-lot-meant-by-an-allotment-91466-24622358/ |archive-date=21 September 2009 }}

Wood was arrested on 8 January 2007 for protesting against the UK's Trident nuclear missile programme at Faslane naval base in Scotland.{{cite news|author=Tomos Livingstone |url=http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/newspolitics/tm_headline=plaid-cymru-pair-arrested--at--trident-base&method=full&objectid=18424893&siteid=50082-name_page.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708193337/http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/newspolitics/tm_headline=plaid-cymru-pair-arrested--at--trident-base&method=full&objectid=18424893&siteid=50082-name_page.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 July 2012 |title=Plaid Cymru pair arrested at Trident base |date=9 January 2007 |access-date=7 June 2011 |publisher=Media Wales Ltd |newspaper=Western Mail |location=Cardiff}}{{cite news |author=Auslan Cramb |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1538937/Nine-are-held-in-Faslane-demo.html |title=Nine are held in Faslane demo |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=9 January 2007 |access-date=7 June 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604052620/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1538937/Nine-are-held-in-Faslane-demo.html |archive-date=4 June 2011 }}

During the 2011 referendum on extending the National Assembly for Wales's law-making powers, Wood was Plaid Cymru's representative on the all-party Yes for Wales steering group, which campaigned successfully for a 'Yes' vote.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-12648649 |title=Wales says yes in referendum vote |date=4 March 2011 |publisher=BBC |access-date=29 July 2011 |work=BBC News website |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719084040/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-12648649 |archive-date=19 July 2011 }}{{cite news |title=LCO Process Is Holding Back Wales, Says Plaid AM |url=http://www.english.plaidcymru.org/news/2010/12/20/lco-process-is-holding-back-wales-says-plaid-am/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326195713/http://www.english.plaidcymru.org/news/2010/12/20/lco-process-is-holding-back-wales-says-plaid-am/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 March 2012 |access-date=29 July 2011 |date=20 December 2010 |work=Plaid Cymru }} She is Chair of the PCS Cross-Party Group in the Welsh Assembly. According to the BBC, Wood's particular areas of interest are: poverty; women's issues; social services; criminal justice; social exclusion; mental health; anti-privatisation; and anti-war. Her Plaid Cymru profile includes her commitment to working "for Wales to become a self-governing decentralist socialist republic".{{cite web|url=http://www.english.plaidcymru.org/leanne-wood-am/ |title=Leanne Wood AM |year=2011 |access-date=6 August 2011 |work=Plaid Cymru |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817121740/http://www.english.plaidcymru.org/leanne-wood-am/ |archive-date=17 August 2011 }}

Upon becoming leader of Plaid in 2012, Wood refused the party leader's allowance to which she was entitled.{{cite web |date=1 May 2012 |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/plaid-leader-leanne-wood-turns-2660022 |title=Plaid leader Leanne Wood turns down pay rise |work=Daily Post |access-date=19 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317195128/http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/plaid-leader-leanne-wood-turns-2660022 |archive-date=17 March 2016 }} Upon being re-elected in 2016 and becoming leader of the opposition, she did the same again.{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/leanne.wood.714/posts/1251294501611897 |title=Leanne Wood – JOB...JOB...JOB...Closing date 14 December |publisher=Facebook |date=12 December 2016 |access-date=19 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114165853/https://www.facebook.com/leanne.wood.714/posts/1251294501611897 |archive-date=14 January 2018 }}

Wood lost her Rhondda seat to Labour's Buffy Williams at the 2021 Senedd election.{{cite news|last1=Stephens|first1=Lydia|last2=Burkitt|first2=Sian|date=7 May 2021|title=The full Senedd result for Rhondda as Leanne Wood loses seat|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/senedd-election-2021-result-rhondda-20531548|access-date=7 May 2021|website=WalesOnline|language=en|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507191030/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/senedd-election-2021-result-rhondda-20531548|url-status=live}} She described the result as "disappointing", but insisted that Plaid had run a "clean and honest campaign."{{Cite web|date=2021-05-07|title=Former Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood loses Rhondda Senedd seat|url=https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2021-05-07/former-plaid-cymru-leader-leanne-wood-loses-rhondda-senedd-seat|access-date=2021-05-07|website=ITV News|language=en|archive-date=12 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512060945/https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2021-05-07/former-plaid-cymru-leader-leanne-wood-loses-rhondda-senedd-seat|url-status=live}}

=Scrutiny=

Between 2009 and 2011, Wood led the exposure of excesses at the Wales Audit Office, while under the control of Jeremy Colman, Auditor General for Wales.{{cite news |author=Martin Shipton |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/05/06/wales-audit-office-spent-200-000-on-external-legal-and-hr-help-91466-28643268/ |title=Wales Audit Office spent £200,000 on external legal and HR help |date=6 May 2011 |access-date=29 July 2011 |publisher=Media Wales Ltd |newspaper=Western Mail; WalesOnline website |location=Cardiff |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014185420/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/05/06/wales-audit-office-spent-200-000-on-external-legal-and-hr-help-91466-28643268/ |archive-date=14 October 2012 }} Through the Freedom of Information Act, she uncovered a severance package of £750,000, personally authorised by Colman, to the former chief operating officer Anthony Snow.{{cite news |author=Martin Shipton |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/09/24/audit-official-s-deal-was-struck-the-first-day-he-qualified-for-early-retirement-91466-27334015/#ixzz1TU4xgw7S |title=Audit official's deal was struck the first day he qualified for early retirement |date=24 September 2010 |access-date=29 July 2011 |publisher=Media Wales Ltd |newspaper=Western Mail; WalesOnline website |location=Cardiff |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014185436/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/09/24/audit-official-s-deal-was-struck-the-first-day-he-qualified-for-early-retirement-91466-27334015/#ixzz1TU4xgw7S |archive-date=14 October 2012 }} Further scrutiny uncovered more self-authorised expenses, including training costs for Colman and Snow and the £464 cost of hiring a chauffeur-driven Mercedes for Snow to attend a meeting on how to save public money.{{cite news |author=Martin Shipton |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/02/12/audit-chief-took-chauffeur-driven-car-to-meeting-on-saving-money-91466-28159015/#ixzz1TUIqsLUP |title=Audit chief took chauffeur-driven car to meeting on saving money |date=12 February 2010 |access-date=29 July 2011 |publisher=Media Wales Ltd |newspaper=Western Mail; WalesOnline website |location=Cardiff |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318165034/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/02/12/audit-chief-took-chauffeur-driven-car-to-meeting-on-saving-money-91466-28159015/#ixzz1TUIqsLUP |archive-date=18 March 2011 }} Colman resigned in February 2010 following an internal investigation, subsequently pleading guilty to possession of child pornography.{{cite news |author=Martin Shipton |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/02/04/auditor-general-resigns-as-porn-found-on-laptop-91466-25758794/ |title=Auditor General resigns as porn found on laptop |date=4 February 2010 |access-date=29 July 2011 |publisher=Media Wales Ltd |newspaper=Western Mail; WalesOnline website |location=Cardiff |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014185520/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/02/04/auditor-general-resigns-as-porn-found-on-laptop-91466-25758794/ |archive-date=14 October 2012 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-11664265 |title=Ex-Wales auditor general admits child image offences |date=1 November 2010 |publisher=BBC |work=BBC News website |access-date=29 July 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213074945/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-11664265 |archive-date=13 December 2010 }}

Figures obtained by Wood under the Freedom of information Act revealed the level of pay among university vice-chancellors in Wales. Over 270 people were paid over £100,000 per annum by Welsh universities in 2009. It was noted that all Welsh university vice-chancellors received more pay than the £134,723 salary of Carwyn Jones, Wales' First Minister, and some were paid more than the £197,000 entitlement of David Cameron, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.{{cite news |author=Tom Bodden |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2010/08/31/welsh-university-bosses-are-paid-more-than-first-minister-55578-27169523/ |title=Welsh university bosses are paid more than First Minister |access-date=6 August 2011 |date=31 August 2010 |publisher=Trinity Mirror Ltd |newspaper=Daily Post North Wales; Daily Post (North Wales) website |location=North Wales |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929170637/http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2010/08/31/welsh-university-bosses-are-paid-more-than-first-minister-55578-27169523/ |archive-date=29 September 2012 }}

Information obtained by Wood showed thousands of workers in Wales to have been paid below the Minimum Wage since 2002–03. The underpayments involved over 1000 employers in Wales. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills subsequently asked HM Revenue and Customs to "press for prosecution where there is clear evidence that the employer has committed an offence", in 2010. No prosecutions had begun by June 2011.{{cite news |author=Martin Shipton |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/06/27/employers-flouting-the-law-on-minimum-wage-91466-28945960/ |title=Employers flouting the law on minimum wage |access-date=23 July 2011 |date=27 June 2011 |publisher=Media Wales Ltd |newspaper=Western Mail; WalesOnline website |location=Cardiff |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014190059/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/06/27/employers-flouting-the-law-on-minimum-wage-91466-28945960/ |archive-date=14 October 2012 }}

=Controversies=

Following her election in 2003 Wood wrote a memo in which she encouraged fellow Plaid AMs to only attend events which will "further the aims" of Plaid Cymru. The same memo encouraged Plaid's regional AMs to base their constituency offices in Plaid target seats and told them that they had the chance to cut back on traditional constituency work and use the cash saved to promote the party.{{cite web |date=20 July 2005 |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/ams-expenses-questioned-after-leaked-2389676 |title=AM's expenses questioned after leaked memo |publisher=Wales Online |access-date=19 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302030621/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/ams-expenses-questioned-after-leaked-2389676 |archive-date=2 March 2017 }}

Following the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in March 2018, the British government accused Russia of attempted murder. Wood said, "I don't trust the Tories on anything, so I'm afraid I can't take the Prime Minister's word on this".{{cite web |author=ITV Wales |date=25 March 2018 |url=https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2018-03-25/plaid-cymru-leanne-wood-russia |title=Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood 'not convinced' by UK Government's Russia action |publisher=ITV Wales |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=10 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110105901/https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2018-03-25/plaid-cymru-leanne-wood-russia/ |url-status=live }} Wood's statement was criticised by the Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies as "beyond childish".{{cite web |author=ITV Wales |date=26 March 2018 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-43544126 |title=Salisbury attack: Plaid Cymru's Leanne Wood 'beyond childish' |publisher=BBC Wales |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109025636/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-43544126 |url-status=live }}

After the Equality and Human Rights Commission reported on the UK Labour Party's allegations of antisemitism in October 2020, concluding that the party had in some respects broken equality law, Wood approvingly retweeted two tweets on the subject from Jewish journalist Glenn Greenwald. One of these stated "I've never seen a more flagrant, repellent and cynical exploitation of anti-Semitism in my life than its disgusting use to smear Corbyn because of a lack of alternatives for how to defeat him." Following criticism, Wood later deleted the tweets, whilst a Plaid spokesperson affirmed the party's support for the report.{{cite web |date=23 November 2020 |url=https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/ex-plaid-cymru-leader-deletes-tweet-stating-corbyn-critics-exploit-antisemitism/ |title=Ex Plaid Cymru leader deletes tweet stating Corbyn critics exploit antisemitism |last=Mendel |first=Jack |work=Jewish News |access-date=21 August 2021 |archive-date=21 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821035540/https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/ex-plaid-cymru-leader-deletes-tweet-stating-corbyn-critics-exploit-antisemitism/ |url-status=live }}

=Policy development=

Wood has produced two major policy documents. In 2008, she published Making Our Communities Safer. Drawing on her four years' previous experience as Plaid Cymru's Social Justice and Regeneration spokesperson and committee member, as well as her previous work as a Probation Officer, it argued for the criminal justice system in Wales to be devolved.{{cite book |author=Leanne Wood AM |url=http://www.english.plaidcymru.org/g_downloads/2011-06-13-32-1-safer-communities.pdf |title=Making Our Communities Safer |isbn=978-0-905077-80-2 |publisher=Plaid Cymru |year=2008 |access-date=6 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326195729/http://www.english.plaidcymru.org/g_downloads/2011-06-13-32-1-safer-communities.pdf |archive-date=26 March 2012 }}

A Greenprint for the Valleys was published in 2011, in which Wood argued for a job creation programme aimed at regenerating the former coalfield areas of the valleys. It contains initiatives including: a Green Construction Skills College; implementing an integrated transport plan for the valleys; creating a land bank for renewable energy and food production; and a programme to renovate heritage buildings. It also suggests providing financial support for home energy efficiency measures and for setting up of green co-operatives.{{cite book |author=Leanne Wood AM |url=http://issuu.com/plaid/docs/greenprint_publisher?mode=embed&viewMode=presentation&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true |title=A Greenprint for the Valleys |isbn=978-0-905077-85-7 |publisher=Plaid Cymru |year=2011 |access-date=6 August 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018060907/http://issuu.com/plaid/docs/greenprint_publisher?mode=embed&viewMode=presentation&layout=http:%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true |archive-date=18 October 2012 }}

=Leader of Plaid Cymru (2012–2018)=

Wood was elected leader of Plaid Cymru on 15 March 2012, defeating Elin Jones and Dafydd Elis Thomas. In winning the election she became the first female leader of the party, and the first leader of the party not to speak fluent Welsh although learning the language.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-17381377 |title=Plaid Cymru elect Leanne Wood as new leader |publisher=BBC |date=15 March 2012 |access-date=11 August 2012 |work=BBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319010032/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-17381377 |archive-date=19 March 2012 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/rhondda/2012/03/22/new-plaid-cymru-leader-leanne-wood-s-rhondda-roots-91466-30584086/|title=New Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood's Rhondda roots|year=2012|publisher=Wales Online|access-date=13 August 2012|archive-date=27 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127203510/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/new-plaid-cymru-leader-leanne-2045456|url-status=live}} Her leadership platform included a call for "real independence — genuinely working to end war, inequality and discrimination", emphasising economic and environmental concerns alongside constitutional reform.{{cite web|title=Leanne's vision for Plaid|url=http://en.leannewood.com/?page_id=123|access-date=15 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224130454/http://en.leannewood.com/?page_id=123|archive-date=24 February 2014}} Supporters of Wood's leadership campaign included: former Plaid Cymru MP Adam Price; former Plaid Cymru president Dafydd Iwan; and former Cymdeithas yr Iaith chair Menna Machreth.{{cite news |author=Martin Shipton |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/caerphilly/2012/01/03/colleagues-back-leanne-s-bid-91466-30050164/ |title=Colleagues back Leanne's bid |date=3 January 2012 |access-date=26 January 2012 |publisher=Media Wales Ltd |newspaper=Western Mail; WalesOnlinewebsite |location=Cardiff |archive-date=27 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127203443/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/colleagues-back-leannes-bid-2037069 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |author=Martin Shipton |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/welsh-politics/welsh-politics-news/2012/01/10/adam-price-dubs-plaid-leadership-contest-a-two-woman-race-between-leanne-wood-and-elin-jones-91466-30090178/#ixzz1kbpoKV85 |title=Adam Price dubs Plaid leadership contest 'a two-woman race' between Leanne Wood and Elin Jones |date=10 January 2012 |access-date=26 January 2012 |publisher=Media Wales Ltd |newspaper=Western Mail; WalesOnlinewebsite |location=Cardiff |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126094133/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/welsh-politics/welsh-politics-news/2012/01/10/adam-price-dubs-plaid-leadership-contest-a-two-woman-race-between-leanne-wood-and-elin-jones-91466-30090178/#ixzz1kbpoKV85 |archive-date=26 January 2012 }}

In June 2012, discussing the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, Wood addressed the concept of 'Britishness'.{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/opinion/comment/leanne-wood-wales-has-a-part-to-play-in-future-of-our-sister-celtic-state-1-2382327 |title=Leanne Wood: Wales has a part to play in future of our sister Celtic state |date=29 June 2012 |access-date=10 July 2012 |publisher=Johnston Press |location=Edinburgh |newspaper=The Scotsman online |archive-date=30 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630161445/http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/opinion/comment/leanne-wood-wales-has-a-part-to-play-in-future-of-our-sister-celtic-state-1-2382327 |url-status=live }} She explained that feeling British was not dependent on a British state. Wood said she was sure Wales would be an independent sovereign state within a generation, and would exist within a "Neighbourhood of Nations", following the break-up of the United Kingdom.{{cite news |author=Martin Shipton |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/06/29/plaid-cymru-leader-leanne-wood-says-she-is-happy-with-britishness-91466-31281001/#ixzz20FIIOMlK |title=Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood says she is happy with Britishness |date=29 June 2012 |access-date=10 July 2012 |publisher=Media Wales Ltd |newspaper=Western Mail; WalesOnlinewebsite |location=Cardiff |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705063424/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/06/29/plaid-cymru-leader-leanne-wood-says-she-is-happy-with-britishness-91466-31281001/#ixzz20FIIOMlK |archive-date=5 July 2012 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.english.plaidcymru.org/the-slate/2012/06/29/another-union-is-possible/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818104428/http://www.english.plaidcymru.org/the-slate/2012/06/29/another-union-is-possible/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 August 2012 |title=Another union is possible |author=Leanne Wood |date=29 June 2012 |work=The Slate Blog, Plaid Cymru website |publisher=Plaid Cymru |access-date=10 July 2012 }}

Wood was one of seven party leaders who took part in a televised debate ahead of the 2015 general election.{{cite news|last1=Walker|first1=Peter|title=Leanne Wood prepares to raise Plaid Cymru's profile in TV debate|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/apr/02/leanne-wood-prepares-to-raise-plaid-cymrus-profile-in-tv-debate|access-date=8 April 2015|work=The Guardian|date=2 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407212121/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/apr/02/leanne-wood-prepares-to-raise-plaid-cymrus-profile-in-tv-debate|archive-date=7 April 2015}} ICM Research, ComRes and YouGov all took polls immediately afterwards, all three of them putting her in last place.{{cite news|last1=Riley-Smith|first1=Ben|title=Leaders' election debate: Farage and Sturgeon win, says poll – live reaction|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11509641/Leaders-election-debate-Farage-and-Sturgeon-win-says-poll-live-reaction.html|access-date=10 April 2015|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=2 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406024613/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11509641/Leaders-election-debate-Farage-and-Sturgeon-win-says-poll-live-reaction.html|archive-date=6 April 2015}} In the second debate on 16 April, Wood challenged Labour leader Ed Miliband to hold an emergency budget if the party won the election, to reverse spending cuts she believes have been particularly harmful in Wales.{{cite news|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/plaid-cymrus-leanne-wood-pushes-9062672|title=Plaid Cymru's Leanne Wood pushes Labour's Ed Miliband to hold an emergency budget in TV debate showdown|first=David|last=Williamson|work=Wales Online|date=16 April 2015|access-date=17 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418153116/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/plaid-cymrus-leanne-wood-pushes-9062672|archive-date=18 April 2015}} On 30 April, she took part in Ask Leanne Wood, a 30-minute debate on BBC One Wales in which she answered questions from a live audience, and suggested Plaid Cymru would support a Labour government.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-wales-32517215 |title=Election 2015: Plaid would do Labour deal for Wales, says Wood |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=30 April 2015 |access-date=1 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503025557/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-wales-32517215 |archive-date=3 May 2015 }}

File:StopTrident rally at Trafalgar Square.jpg

In February 2016, Wood was one of the main UK political leaders to take part in an anti-Trident rally in London. In an article Wood co-authored preceding the event alongside two of the rally's other main participants, the Green Party MP, Caroline Lucas, and the Scottish National Party's leader and MSP Nicola Sturgeon, they said they would be marching for "a Britain free from nuclear weapons".{{cite news |last1= Lucas |first1= Caroline |last2= Sturgeon |first2= Nicola |last3= Wood |first3= Leanne |date= 25 February 2016 |title= Trident's a relic of a bygone age. Will you join us on Saturday to march against it? |url= https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/feb/25/march-against-trident-join-us |work= The Guardian |access-date= 29 May 2020 |archive-date= 20 January 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200120092707/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/feb/25/march-against-trident-join-us |url-status= live }} The march also included then Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn.{{cite news |date= 27 February 2016 |title= Corbyn Joins Thousands In Trident Protest |url= https://news.sky.com/story/corbyn-joins-thousands-in-trident-protest-10183280 |work= Sky News |access-date= 29 May 2020 |archive-date= 27 November 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211127203359/https://news.sky.com/story/corbyn-joins-thousands-in-trident-protest-10183280 |url-status= live }} Wood has criticised Westminster's backing for the replacement of trident, which will cost over £100 billion over its lifetime. She said the money would be far better spent on new and improved public facilities, such as hospitals and schools.{{cite web |title= 'Spend Money On Hospitals, Not Weapons of Mass Destruction' says Leanne Wood |url= https://www.leannerhondda.wales/trident_sansteffan |work= Leanne Wood's official website |access-date= 29 May 2020 |archive-date= 24 September 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200924013227/https://www.leannerhondda.wales/trident_sansteffan |url-status= live }} During the rally Wood said:

{{Blockquote|text="It is never acceptable, it is never justifiable to unleash weapons of mass destruction on a population. Nuclear weapons belong in the dustbin of history alongside the Cold War."{{cite news |date= 27 February 2016 |title= Jeremy Corbyn and Nicola Sturgeon condemn Trident at rally |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35678048 |work= BBC News |access-date= 29 May 2020 |archive-date= 21 April 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200421121334/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35678048 |url-status= live }}}}

After the majority of the Welsh – and British – electorate voted to leave the European Union in 2016, Wood proposed that Wales become independent and rejoin the European Union, stating "It is my belief that this independent Wales in a completely different context to last week's referendum would want to be a part of the European Union."{{cite news|last1=Morris|first1=Steven|title=It's time to put Welsh independence on agenda – Leanne Wood|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/27/its-time-to-put-welsh-independence-on-agenda-leanne-wood|access-date=27 June 2016|work=The Guardian|date=27 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627193053/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/27/its-time-to-put-welsh-independence-on-agenda-leanne-wood|archive-date=27 June 2016}}

In September 2017, the conservative commentator Iain Dale placed Wood at Number 99 on his list of the '100 most influential people on the Left'.{{Cite news|url=http://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/iain-dale/100-most-influential-people-on-the-left-iain-dale/|title=The 100 Most Influential People On The Left: Iain Dale's 2017 List|last=Dale|first=Iain|date=25 September 2017|work=LBC|access-date=30 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925101152/http://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/iain-dale/100-most-influential-people-on-the-left-iain-dale/|archive-date=25 September 2017|url-status=live|language=en}}

In July 2018, Adam Price and Rhun ap Iorwerth announced they would challenge Wood's leadership of the party.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-44709544|title=Two challenge Wood for Plaid leadership|work=BBC News|date=4 July 2018|access-date=27 December 2018|archive-date=27 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127203442/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-44709544|url-status=live}} Following the leadership election in September 2018, Wood lost the election to Price, finishing in third place.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-45656718|title=Adam Price replaces Wood as Plaid leader|work=BBC News|date=28 September 2018|access-date=27 December 2018|archive-date=12 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112091554/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-45656718|url-status=live}}

= Post-leadership =

She told BBC News that she and Adam Price haven't been friends since he challenged her leadership in 2018.{{Cite news|date=2021-08-18|title=Plaid Cymru: Ex-leader no longer friends with successor|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-58159654|access-date=2021-08-18|archive-date=18 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818223036/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-58159654|url-status=live}} She also said she had opposed his signature policy of a second referendum on EU membership. "I really felt very, very strongly that if you ask people a question in a democracy you have to accept the result, no matter how much you don't like it," she revealed in August 2021. "I spent a lot of time internally within Plaid Cymru trying to persuade people that we needed to accept this result... But it was a debate that people couldn't face I think."{{Cite web|url=https://nation.cymru/news/leanne-wood-always-thought-second-brexit-referendum-was-a-bad-idea/|title=Leanne Wood 'always thought' second Brexit referendum was a 'bad idea'|date=18 August 2021|access-date=11 September 2021|archive-date=11 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911012217/https://nation.cymru/news/leanne-wood-always-thought-second-brexit-referendum-was-a-bad-idea/|url-status=live}}

In the 2021 Senedd election, Wood lost her seat to the Labour party, which she described as "disappointing".

Following the appointment of Prince William as the new Prince of Wales in 2022, Wood voiced opposition to the continued use of the title, tweeting "Wales has no need for a prince".{{Cite web |title=@leannewood |url=https://twitter.com/leannewood/status/1568294323183034371 |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Twitter |language=en}}

In 2022, Wood was appointed as a leader of Community Energy Wales.{{Cite web |date=2022-09-08 |title=Penodi Leanne Wood a Ben Ferguson i arwain Ynni Cymunedol Cymru |url=https://golwg.360.cymru/newyddion/2104568-penodi-leanne-wood-ferguson-arwain-ynni-cymunedol |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=Golwg360 |language=cy}}

Personal life

Wood and her long-term partner, Ian Brown, have a daughter, Cerys Wood. Her former partner, David Ceri Evans, died by suicide in 2002.{{Cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/death-riddle-of-ams-boyfriend-2481847|title=Death riddle of AM's boyfriend|first=Jessica|last=Flynn|date=18 June 2003|website=Wales Online|access-date=13 October 2019|archive-date=24 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824152234/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/death-riddle-of-ams-boyfriend-2481847|url-status=live}}

Wood is not religious and identifies as a humanist. In 2020, she was appointed a patron of Humanists UK and its Welsh branch, Wales Humanists.{{cite web|url=https://humanism.org.uk/2020/11/06/new-patron-for-wales-humanists-leanne-wood/|title=New patron for Wales Humanists: Leanne Wood|access-date=6 November 2020|date=6 November 2020|work=Humanists UK|archive-date=6 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106130151/https://humanism.org.uk/2020/11/06/new-patron-for-wales-humanists-leanne-wood/|url-status=live}}

Elections contested

UK Parliament elections

Date	Constituency	Party	Votes	%	Result
class="wikitable"
1997	rowspan="2"\|Rhondda	rowspan="2"\|Plaid Cymru	5,450	13.4	rowspan="2"\|Not elected
2001	7,183	21.1

Senedd elections

Date	Region/Constituency	Party	Votes	%	Results
class="wikitable"
2003	rowspan="3"\|South Wales Central	rowspan="5"\|Plaid Cymru	27,956	15.44	rowspan="4"\|Elected	rowspan="3"\|Multi-member party list
2007	32,207	15.5
2011	28,606	13.7
2016	rowspan="2"\|Rhondda	11,891	50.6	rowspan="2"\|Single-member constituency
2021	7,335	31.3	Defeated

References

External links

[http://www.senedd.assemblywales.org/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=185 Leanne Wood MS Senedd profile page]
[https://www.partyof.wales/acau_ams Leanne Wood] at Plaid Cymru profile page
[https://web.archive.org/web/20150801200033/http://leannewood.org/ Leanne Wood website]
[http://www.leannewoodamac.blogspot.com/ Leanne Wood blog]
[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05nk3gm BBC Radio 4 profile]