In the first full-length study of its kind, Laura McAllister portrays the emergence of Plaid Cymru in the post-War world from its origins as a disparate association of campaigners and activists to its current status of fully-functioning political machine.

Skillfully interweaving rigorous historical analysis and interviews with key protagonists, McAllister takes us through the issues and events of a turbulent half century. More than a simple retelling of events, this book focuses on the debates and divisions which still mark the party. It shows how Plaid struggles to balance the concerns of its rural, bilingual, traditional heartlands with campaigns for social and economic reforms in the Valleys.

McAllister also examines the role of women in the party; looks at the relationships with Westminister and with Brussels; and considers what must be done if Plaid is really to overtake New Labour and become truly The Party of Wales.

Laura McAllister is a Lecturer in the Institute of Public Administration and Management at the University of Liverpool. She has stood twice as parliamentary candidate for Plaid Cymru, and was political analyst for BBC Wales's broadcast coverage of the elections to the National Assembly and European Parliament.