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DERMOT MURNAGHAN: In less than a fortnight’s time we could see a new Prime Minister of course, a whole new government and perhaps a fundamental change in the balance of power between Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom.  This election campaign has been about the regions and the nations of the United Kingdom made clear by that seven way leaders’ debate but while the Scottish National party has been grabbing the headlines, what of Wales and their nationalist party, Paid Cymru?  Well I am joined now by its leader, Leanne Wood, and a very good morning to you Ms Wood.  Well I drew there the comparisons with the SNP and we saw that leaders’ debate and how well you got on with Nicola Sturgeon.  Could we regard you really, your party, as coat-tailing the SNP?  You are a lesser version of them and you want what they want.

LEANNE WOOD: We do share a lot of common ground with the SNP and also with the Greens in England and that’s why we have said we will co-operate with those two parties in the event of a hung parliament which is looking increasingly likely.  It seems to me that the two main parties have not done enough to convince people to give them a mandate and so in that eventuality our three parties stand to hold the balance of power and if we do then we’ll work on our common priorities.  

DM: So you have accepted that, it’s whatever Nicola says then?  I don't know how often you are in contact but when it comes to … obviously we know about the different aspirations for your nations but beyond that you agree totally with Nicola?

LEANNE WOOD: Well we don’t agree on everything entirely, we are different parties representing two different countries that are on different stages of their devolution journey so our needs are different but there is a lot of common ground between us.  We want to end austerity, we want to rebalance power and wealth throughout these islands benefiting not just people in Scotland and Wales but people in England outside of London and the south-east as well so our common platform can benefit people right throughout these islands.  We also want to end Trident replacement which will provide additional money in the coffers to spend on public services.

DM: But in Wales, I mean given that you are not as powerful as the SNP is in  Scotland, don’t you need a bigger tent? For instance don’t you have to be left wing to be a Welsh Nationalist?

LEANNE WOOD: You don’t have to be left wing …

DM: Well you have to be left wing if you are going to be a member of Plaid Cymru.  

LEANNE WOOD: Well Plaid Cymru is a left of centre party, there is no doubt about that, but I think that …

DM: So you say to right leaning nationalists, we don’t want you?  

LEANNE WOOD: No, I am not saying that at all but the centre of political gravity in Wales is to the left generally I would argue.  There is definitely a feeling amongst people in Wales that public services are important for example and that wealth should be redistributed more fairly and I think we reflect the general political feeling of people in Wales in that sense.  

DM: And do you also like the SNP, they’ve had one, do you want a referendum?

LEANNE WOOD: Eventually, yes, but we want to hold that referendum at the time when people are ready for it and I don't think we could do that tomorrow because of the parlous situation in our economy and that’s why Plaid Cymru’s manifesto in this election is all about creating those measures that we need to build up the Welsh economy, bring the tools to do the job to the National Assembly and the finances as well and that is why we are calling for parity with Scotland.  

DM: Okay, let’s put you in the coalition negotiations, what does Leanne Wood go into the room with her first demand?  Is it just give us some cash, give us a billion pounds?   

LEANNE WOOD: Well the financial situation is something that desperately needs addressing.  Wales has been disadvantaged financially since the Barnett Formula was invented in 1978 so year on year we’ve lost out and since the referendum in Scotland the game has changed completely, the three leaders of the established Westminster parties went to Scotland and promised to keep the Barnett Formula for Scotland thereby locking in the financial disadvantage for Wales.  So our call for parity with Scotland would deliver an additional £1.2 billion to the Welsh block grant which out of £740 billion which is the UK’s budget, is not a great claim and considering what’s happened in Northern Ireland recently when an additional billion pounds was granted to Northern Ireland, it strikes me that Wales has been too quiet in the past and we need to get more forceful in terms of our demands and what I’d like see is all political parties and politicians in Wales get behind Plaid Cymru on this call so that we can get additional resources to build up our public services and improve our economic situation.  

DM: And if you got that kind of agreement or something heading towards it from Conservative negotiators, would you accept that or wouldn’t you even talk to the Conservatives?  Are you exactly the same as the SNP?

LEANNE WOOD: We wouldn’t prop up a Conservative government.  I’ve said very clearly that …

DM: But if they are the largest party you won’t even talk to them?

LEANNE WOOD: No, we won’t because in Wales we have never elected a Conservative government, we have never given them a mandate and they have wreaked havoc on our communities going back to the 1980s and the pit closure programme so there are very strong feelings in Wales against the Tories and I am quite keen to work with others to enable a government that is an alternative to the Tories.  Just remember, in a hung parliament scenario there has been a lot of talk about who Labour might form an agreement with but we also have to remember what the alternative is to that.  It’s unlikely that the Conservatives will get enough votes on their own, who will they go in with?  There is the risk of going in with the Liberal Democrats again of course but the greater risk is a UKIP/Tory coalition and most people I know in Wales are horrified by that thought.  

DM: Last question, how are the Welsh lessons going?  Are you fluent yet?  I know you’re busy.  

LEANNE WOOD: I am not fluent, I find it very difficult if I’m honest with you but I’m still progressing and I am not going to give up.   

DM: Well I am sure there are plenty of people who can give you a hand in the party.  Leanne Wood, very good to see you, thank you very much indeed.  The leader of Plaid Cymru there.