Plaid Cymru: The Emergence of a Political Party (Paperback)

More hagiography than history, McAllister indulges the usual Nationalist apologism, both for Plaid Cymru's evasion on their constitutional ambitions and for their lack of sustained electoral success over 75 long years. The opening chapters of the book are a poorly judged attempt to brush off the legitimate and difficult questions that have dogged Plaid Cymru since its inception (Plaid, we are informed, are "committed to a democratic form of Nationalism. This is neither racially or ethnically defined" - a view which is continually challenged by less disciplined grassroots members of the party, from whom anti-English and anti-English language bile is a staple campaigning technique).

When McAllister is not glossing over the awkward details of her subject, her analysis is superficial and pedestrian. Little attempt is made to explore the tensions and contradictions at the heart of Plaid Cymru's ideology; instead we are subjected to page after page of agonising about whether the Nationalists are a political party or a pressure group. The truth, of course, is that it doesn't really matter since they have not been successful in either role.

Riddled with factual inaccuracies (at one point she cites non-existent opinion polls to demonstrate the popularity of former President Dafydd Wiglely) and relying far too heavily on party propaganda (who else other than the author would actually accept the claim that there are over 16,000 card carrying members?) this book makes good reading for die hard Welsh Nationalists looking to be cheered up after their recent electoral trouncing (though I advise these people to avoid the postscript; McAllister's swaggering prediction of a Plaid victory in the 2003 Assembly elections might make painful reading) Everyone else should give this one a miss. This is a shame because, although several other books give an insight into the development of Plaid Cymru, there is no single alternative publication to recommend. However limited Plaid Cymru's impact on Welsh and British politics has been, it certainly warrants serious documentation. Sadly, this book does not provide it.

More hagiography than history, McAllister indulges the usual apologism both for Plaid Cymru's evasion on their constitutional ambitions and for their lack of sustained electoral success over 75 long years. The opening chapters of the book are a poorly judged attempt to brush off the legitimate and difficult questions that have dogged Plaid Cymru since its inception (Plaid, we are informed, are "committed to a democratic form of Nationalism. This is neither racially or ethnically defined" - a view which is continually challenged by less disciplined grassroots members of the party, from whom anti-English and anti-English language bile is a staple campaigning technique).

When McAllister is not glossing over the awkward details of her subject, her analysis is dull and pedestrian. Little attempt is made to explore the tensions and contradictions at the heart of Plaid Cymru's ideology; instead we are subjected to page after page of agonising about whether the Nationalists are a political party or a pressure group. The truth, of course, is that it doesn't really matter since they have not been successful in either role.

Riddled with factual inaccuracies (at one point she cites non-existent opinion polls to demonstrate the popularity of former President Dafydd Wiglely) and relying far too heavily on party propaganda (who else other than the author would actually accept the claim that there are over 16,000 card carrying members?) this book makes good reading for die hard Welsh Nationalists looking to be cheered up after their recent electoral trouncing (though I advise these people to avoid the postscript; McAllister's swaggering prediction of a Plaid victory in the 2003 Assembly elections might make painful reading) Everyone else should give this one a miss. This is a shame, because although several other books give an insight into the development of Plaid Cymru there is no single alternative publication to recommend. However limited Plaid Cymru's impact on Welsh and British politics has been, it certainly warrants serious documentation. Sadly, this book does not provide it.