The Right Honourable[1]
Elin Jones
MS
Jones in 2021
Llywydd of the Senedd
Assumed office
11 May 2016
DeputyAnn Jones
David Rees
Preceded byRosemary Butler
Deputy Leader of Plaid Cymru
In office
17 July 2012 – 11 May 2016
LeaderLeanne Wood
Preceded byHelen Mary Jones
Succeeded bySiân Gwenllian
Rhun ap Iorwerth
Minister for Rural Affairs
In office
19 July 2007 – 11 May 2011
First MinisterRhodri Morgan
Carwyn Jones
Preceded byCarwyn Jones
Succeeded byLesley Griffiths
Member of the Senedd
for Ceredigion
Assumed office
6 May 1999
Preceded byConstituency established
Majority12,145 (39.5%)
Personal details
Born (1966-09-01) 1 September 1966 (age 57)
Lampeter, Wales
Political partyPlaid Cymru
Alma materCardiff University,
Aberystwyth University

Elin Jones (born 1 September 1966) is a Welsh politician who has served as the Llywydd of the Senedd since 2016. A member of Plaid Cymru, Jones has been the Member of the Senedd (MS) for Ceredigion since 1999.[2]

Background

Jones attended Llanwnnen Primary School and Lampeter Comprehensive. She graduated from University of Wales, Cardiff with a BSc in Economics and took a post-graduate MSc in Agricultural Economics at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth in 1989.[3] Previously she was employed as an Economic Development officer for the Development Board for Rural Wales. She is a former Shadow Environment, Planning and Countryside Minister.[4]

Jones speaks Welsh and English. She is also a former director of Radio Ceredigion and of Wes Glei Cyf, a television production company. She lives in Aberaeron and enjoys music, film, reading and formerly sang with the Welsh singing group Cwlwm.[4]

Political career

Elin Jones served on Aberystwyth Town Council from 1992-1999 and was the youngest-ever Mayor of Aberystwyth from 1997 to 1998.[5][6] She was the National Chair of Plaid Cymru between 2000 and 2002.[7]

In the first Assembly elections in 1999 Elin Jones was elected as Assembly Member for Ceredigion and served as Shadow Economic Development Minister during the Assembly’s first term. Following the Assembly election in 2003, she retained this portfolio until 2006 when she became Shadow Minister for Environment, Planning & Countryside. On 9 July 2007 the One Wales government was formed and Elin Jones was made Minister for Rural Affairs. Elin Jones continued in this position until Plaid Cymru left Government at the 2011 elections.[4] Her record was criticized by George Monbiot in his 2013 book Feral.[8]

In the fourth Assembly she became Plaid's health spokesperson and unsuccessfully contested the leadership election following the resignation of Ieuan Wyn Jones.[9]

Elin Jones is also The Presiding officer of the Welsh Youth Parliament

In the fifth Assembly she beat fellow Plaid Cymru AM Dafydd Elis-Thomas to become Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales by 34 votes to his 25.[10]

In June 2021, Jones attempted to ban Members of the Senedd from displaying flags in their offices.[11]

References

  1. ^ "List of Business - 16 March 2022, Privy Council" (PDF). GOV.UK.
  2. ^ Jones, James Barry; Osmond, John (2001). Inclusive Government and Party Management: The National Assembly for Wales and the Work of Its Committees. Institute of Welsh Affairs. p. 183. ISBN 9781871726695. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  3. ^ "Alumni at the Senedd". Aberystwyth University. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "Member Profile". National Assembly for Wales. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  5. ^ Forgrave, Andrew (13 April 2011). "Elin Jones: What you need to know". North Wales Live. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Rt. Hon. Elin Jones MS". Senedd.Wales.
  7. ^ "Plaid Cymru runner-up Elin Jones named deputy group leader". BBC News. 17 July 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  8. ^ Monbiot, George (9 November 2015). "Allowing scallop dredging in 'strictly protected' dolphin reserves is madness | George Monbiot". the Guardian. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  9. ^ "Leanne Wood is new Plaid leader". BBC News. 15 March 2012.
  10. ^ "Elin Jones elected as presiding officer". BBC News. 11 May 2016.
  11. ^ "No more flags on video calls, Welsh Parliament members told". 23 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.

External links

Offices held

Senedd Preceded by(new post) Member of the Senedd for Ceredigion 1999–present Incumbent Preceded byRosemary Butler Llywydd of the Senedd 2016–present Incumbent Political offices Preceded by(new post) Shadow Economic Development Minister 1999–2006 Succeeded byAlun Ffred Jones Preceded byTBC Shadow Minister for Environment, Planning & Countryside 2006–2007 Succeeded by(post reorganised) Preceded by(post re-organised) Minister for Rural Affairs 2007–2011 Succeeded by(post reorganised) Party political offices Preceded byMarc Phillips Chair of Plaid Cymru 2000–2002 Succeeded byJohn Dixon
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