In 1985 communities across the south Wales coalfield were embroiled in a long and bitter battle with the government in London. Politics felt very real during the miners’ strike and this cauldron of tension was the backdrop to the political awakening of a teenager from the Rhondda. She rejected the local convention of joining the Labour Party and found her own political home in Plaid Cymru.

Thirty years later , in 2015, she was appearing on stage with the UK Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. In front of millions of TV viewers, she took part in live debates ahead of her first General Election as leader of Plaid Cymru.

Leanne Wood was the first woman to lead her party and became one of Wales' most well-known politicians. In this programme she discusses her own personal experience of leadership with Bethan Rhys Roberts.

Produced by Astud media for BBC Radio Wales. Show less