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The future of one of Plaid Cymru’s most prominent grandees has been thrown into doubt after he endorsed Labour’s candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner in North Wales.

Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas has urged Plaid, Conservative and Liberal Democrat supporters to give their first or second preference votes to David Taylor on May 5, saying he wants to “stop Ukip in their tracks”.

By doing so, he could face attempts to have him expelled from Plaid Cymru, which is fielding its own candidate, Wrexham councillor Arfon Jones.

The peer, a former leader of Plaid who is seeking re-election as AM for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, is taking the unprecedented step of encouraging all mainstream voters in North Wales to give one of their votes on the police commissioner ballot paper to Welsh Labour’s candidate, David Taylor.

New role

Commenting on his call, Lord Elis-Thomas said: “I believe voters in North Wales need to think and act tactically in the election for the Police and Crime Commissioner, in order to stop Ukip in their tracks.

“The relatively new role of commissioner is hugely important in terms of injecting real democratic accountability into policing here in North Wales. It’s crucial therefore that the result of this election is not skewed by the UKIP vote for the Assembly on the same day.

“That’s why I’m calling on all supporters of Plaid Cymru, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats right across North Wales to cast either their first or second preference vote for Labour’s David Taylor on polling day, to stop Ukip from inadvertently benefiting.

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“David is someone I have known for many years. He is a Labour Party member but like me is never afraid to speak his mind and will always put the interests of North Wales first. He is the candidate who can unite our region.

"I know he would make an outstanding commissioner, bringing a much-needed new energy and enthusiasm to the role.

“It’s important that a true reflection of North Wales voting intention determines the outcome of the PCC election on May 5 and extremism is not rewarded by accident.”

'Deeply honoured'

Voters in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections will be able to list their first two preferences.

If a candidate fails to win an overall majority on the first count, second preference votes are added and the candidate with the highest total wins.

Commenting on the endorsement from Lord Elis-Thomas, Mr Taylor said: “I am deeply honoured to have received the backing of Dafydd Elis-Thomas.

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“Although we are in different parties, he is one of Wales’s leading statesmen and someone I respect a great deal.

“I have tried to run a positive campaign, and have been determined to show that I would be a commissioner for everyone in North Wales. I am humbled by the support I am receiving.”

'Full support'

Plaid Cymru refused to respond to Lord Elis-Thomas’ endorsement of Mr Taylor, instead issuing a statement from party chairman Alun Ffred Jones which said: “There is no-one better qualified to deliver safer communities for people in north Wales than Plaid Cymru’s Arfon Jones.

“A former police inspector, Arfon understands policing and will work with both police officers and the wider public to deliver for communities.

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“Arfon was born in Gwynedd, worked all over the region as a well-respected policeman and now lives and is a councillor in Wrexham.

"His credentials are beyond reproach and I am pleased to give him my full support.

“North Wales needs a Police Commissioner with an understanding of policing and with the leadership qualities to get the best out of people.”

Career in politics

Dafydd Elis-Thomas was first elected as MP for Meirionnydd in 1974 and led Plaid from 1984 to 1991. He stood down as an MP in 1992 and controversially accepted a peerage at a time when Plaid’s policy was to boycott the House of Lords.

After a period chairing the Welsh Language Board, he became an AM in 1999 and the National Assembly’s first Presiding Officer, a post he held until 2011.

He is standing for re-election as AM in Dwyfor Meirionnydd.

His relations with Plaid leader Leanne Wood have been strained, especially since last year when he criticised the party’s general election campaign.

Some senior Plaid figures wanted him to be deselected as a candidate for next month’s Assembly election, but he retained the support of local members in his constituency party.