 GWYNFOR EVANS, Plaid Cymru's first MP and the architect of the modern party, has died at the age of 92. Cross party tributes were paid last night to the man who turned Plaid into a credible electoral force. His 1980 threat to starve himself to death as part of a campaign for Welsh language television proved instrumental in then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher creating S4C. Plaid president Dafydd Iwan yesterday described Mr Evans, who had been ill for some time, as the party's "spiritual leader". Mr Evans, who died at lunchtime yesterday, won a famous victory in the Carmarthen by-election in 1966 which was to change the face of Welsh politics. He lost his seat in 1970 but held it again between 1974 and 1979. Mr Iwan said: "He was the architect of the modern day Plaid Cymru and turned the party into a credible electoral force by becoming the party's first MP in 1966. "Wales would not be the nation it is today - perhaps would not be counted as a nation at all - if it hadn't been for Gwynfor Evans. "His wisdom and guidance will be sorely missed, but his legacy will live forever. "Our thoughts at this time are with his wife, Rhiannon, and all his family." Former Plaid president Dafydd Wigley, who served as an MP at Westminster alongside Mr Evans, said: "I regarded him as the greatest Welsh-man of the 20th century and greatest Welsh national political figure of all time. "He was an inspiration to our generation and gave Plaid Cymru a firm lead in seeking self-government for Wales. He did so by constitutional means, always in a democratic manner that carried people with us." First minister Rhodri Morgan said: "Al-though his relationships with Labour MPs were not always positive, there is no gainsaying his massive contribution to Welsh public life." Elan Closs Stephens, the chair of S4C, said: "His part in the history of bringing S4C into existence was crucial." Mr Evans' grandson, Mabon ap Gwynfor, is now standing for Plaid Cymru in the Brecon and Radnor seat in the general election. Gwynfor Evans, 1912-2005 >>>>>>>>>>> | 
