| Election Name: | 2012 Plaid Cymru leadership election |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Year: | 2003 |
| Next Election: | 2018 |
| Next Year: | 2018 |
| Election Date: | – |
| 1Blank: | First round |
| 2Blank: | Percentage |
| 4Blank: | Percentage |
| Candidate1: | Leanne Wood |
| 1Data1: | 2,879 |
| 2Data1: | 47.7% |
| 3Data1: | 3,326 |
| 4Data1: | 57.1% |
| Candidate2: | Elin Jones |
| 1Data2: | 1,884 |
| 2Data2: | 31.2% |
| 3Data2: | 2,494 |
| 4Data2: | 42.9% |
| Candidate3: | Dafydd Elis-Thomas |
| 1Data3: | 1,278 |
| 2Data3: | 21.1% |
| 3Data3: | — |
| 4Data3: | — |
| Leader | |
| Before Election: | Ieuan Wyn Jones |
| After Election: | Leanne Wood |
The 2012 Plaid leadership election was held following the resignation of Ieuan Wyn Jones following the 2011 Assembly Elections. Following the election Jones originally stated that he would resign in the first half of the Assembly term.[1] Nominations officially opened on 3 January 2012.
The leadership was fought by former Agriculture Minister Elin Jones, former party leader Dafydd Elis-Thomas and backbencher Leanne Wood.[2] Simon Thomas declared his intention to run, but later withdrew in favour of Elin Jones.
The Guardian reported that 7,863 members were entitled to vote, which was an increase in membership of 23% over the preceding four-month period.[3]
Leanne Wood was declared leader on 15 March 2012,[4] taking over as leader the day after.
| Candidate | First round | Second round | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Transfers | Votes | % | ||
| Leanne Wood | 2,879 | 47.7 | 447 | 3,326 | 57.1 | |
| Elin Jones | 1,884 | 31.2 | 610 | 2,494 | 42.9 | |
| Dafydd Elis-Thomas | 1,278 | 21.1 | ||||
| Total | 6,041 | 100 | 1,057 | 5,820 | 100 | |
Of the 11 Plaid Assembly Members, Elin Jones received the support of 6 (including herself), Leanne Wood won the backing of 3 (including herself) and Dafydd Elis-Thomas 1 (himself). Out going leader Ieuan Wyn Jones did not publicly back any candidate.
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