Alun Ffred Jones
Member of the Welsh Assembly
for Arfon
In office
3 May 2007 – 4 April 2016
Preceded byNew constituency
Succeeded bySiân Gwenllian
Majority5,018 (25.6%)
Minister for Heritage
In office
28 July 2008 – 13 May 2011
First MinisterRhodri Morgan
Preceded byRhodri Glyn Thomas
Succeeded byHuw Lewis (post reorganised)
Member of the Welsh Assembly
for Caernarfon
In office
1 May 2003 – 3 May 2007
First MinisterCarwyn Jones
Preceded byDafydd Wigley
Succeeded byConstituency abolished
Personal details
Born (1949-10-29) 29 October 1949 (age 74)
Brynamman, Carmarthenshire, Wales
Political partyPlaid Cymru
Alma materBangor University

Alun Ffred Jones (born 29 October 1949) is a Welsh politician and member of Plaid Cymru and former television producer, writer and director. Jones was the National Assembly for Wales Member for Caernarfon 2003–07 and for the newly created Arfon constituency from 2007 until he stood down in 2016. He served as Minister for Heritage between 2008 and 2011 as part of the One Wales Government. In 2008 he made history by being the first UK representative to speak in the Welsh language at a meeting of the European Union.[1] He was Chairman of Plaid Cymru from October 2019[2] until he resigned in July 2022.[3]

Background

Jones was born in Brynamman and is the brother of former Plaid Cymru President and folk singer Dafydd Iwan.[4] He is also the brother of the actor, the late Huw Ceredig. He was educated at the University of Wales, Bangor. Before his election, he was a television director and producer for Ffilmiau'r Nant and a BAFTA Cymru winner as co-writer of the S4C Welsh language comedy series, C’mon Midffild!.[5][6] Before that he was a Welsh teacher and Head of Department and then a journalist with HTV. Jones speaks Welsh, English and French.[citation needed]

Political career

Jones is the former Leader of Gwynedd County Council and is the chair of Nantlle Vale Football Club.[citation needed] His main political interests are in broadcasting, community development and the economy. On 22 July 2008 he was appointed Minister for Heritage in the Welsh Labour/Plaid Cymru coalition Welsh Assembly Government,[7] and in this role he was active in obtaining approval for the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011.[8]

On 20 November 2008, Jones became the first person to use the Welsh language as a representative of the UK government at a European Union meeting in Brussels.[1]

Jones resigned as Plaid chairman in July 2022 over the party's handling of Jonathan Edwards' readmission to the party after a two-year suspension.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b David Williamson (21 November 2008). "Breakthrough as minister uses Welsh at EU council". WalesOnline. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  2. ^ Ruth Mosalski (5 October 2019). "New chair of Plaid Cymru is announced". WalesOnline. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  3. ^ Coles, Jon (19 July 2022). "Plaid NEC faces backlash after Chair resigns over MP's treatment by Party". Herald.Wales. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  4. ^ "News Caernarfon Online". Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
  5. ^ "Thank you Alun Ffred Jones for your contribution to Dyffryn Nantlle, Gwynedd, Arfon and Plaid Cymru". english.gwynedd.plaidcymru.org. Archived from the original on 9 July 2018. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  6. ^ "1993 Cymru Drama Series/Serial | BAFTA Awards". awards.bafta.org. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  7. ^ "Alun Ffred Jones is new Heritage Minister". Wales Online. 22 July 2008. Archived from the original on 31 July 2008. Retrieved 22 July 2008.
  8. ^ David Williamson (8 October 2010). "Language campaigners accuse the Government of lying about the real impact of the new law". WalesOnline. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  9. ^ "Plaid Cymru party chairman quits over Jonathan Edwards MP decision". Nation.Cymru. 18 July 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2022.

External links

Offices held

Senedd Preceded byDafydd Wigley Assembly Member for Caernarfon 2003–2007 Constituency abolished New constituency Assembly Member for Arfon 2007–2016 Succeeded bySiân Gwenllian Political offices Preceded byElin Jones Shadow Economic Development Minister 2006–2007 Succeeded byDavid Melding Preceded byRhodri Glyn Thomas Minister for Heritage 22 July 2008 – 2011 job restructured
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