Welsh Freshers

Well, last spring, the Welsh youth wing of the party was relaunched and rebranded. It used to be MIDR Cymru (Welsh for LDYS Wales). Now, it is IR Cymru (Ieuenctid Rhyddfrydol Cymru, Liberal Youth Wales), and its already moving on in Wales.

This September, our Freshers stalls in the universities of Wales are going to be the best yet. Not only do we have some fabulous materials from Federal Liberal Youth, but we are launching our own campaign in September (details to be announced soon!).

IR Cymru will not be just an admin organisation for young people. Nor will it just be a glorified delivery network for the wider party. Instead, we are going to be a campaigning organisation in our own right, fighting within and without the party for the rights of young people and students.

There are many areas where IR Cymru will move to make its mark. Already we've protested outside the Assembly about the betrayal on top-up fees by Labour and Plaid Cymru (or as the chants went on that fateful day, "Labour-Plaid, they both lied!"). But to say those are the only issues that concern students and young people, would be completely wrong.

The young people of Wales are crying out for a change. They have been neglected, ignored, mocked, even attacked, for too long. IR Cymru will be their voice for change. IR Cymru will stand alongside them with their struggles, and show that at least one party is willing to stand by youth and students.

Conservative Future has always been a glorified networking agency. Labour's student organisation is packed full of deluded ex-socialists who call each other "comrades" as a salve to their agonized consciences (and a few deluded careerists who think Brown might just snatch victory from the jaws of defeat). Cymru X, Plaid's youth wing have been left demoralised by their party's targetting of their members (remember their member who was sacked from the party for speaking out about top-up fees?!).

Compared to that, IR Cymru will be a passionate, strong - yes, at times even angry - voice for disillusioned youth.

As I keep saying, Kirsty Williams told the other parties when she was elected leader, "Watch out, we're coming."

IR Cymru are telling Wales the same. So watch this space! And if you are young or a student and want to affect real change in Wales, without the stale exchange between conservatism and (fake) socialism, join us. If you want a party that cares and listens whilst making tough choices, join us. If you want a party that will march alongside its young members and fight alongside us for our rights, join us.

Wales is changing. It's time to get on board, folks! :)