Elin Jones

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

Elin Jones MS
Llywydd of the Senedd
Incumbent
Assumed office 11 May 2016
Deputy	Ann Jones
Preceded by	Rosemary Butler
Senedd Commissioner
In office 9 June 2007 – 18 September 2007
First Minister	Rhodri Morgan
Preceded by	Office Created
Member of the Senedd for Ceredigion
Incumbent
Assumed office 6 May 1999
Preceded by	Office Created
Majority	2,408 (8.2%)
Personal details
Born	(1966-09-01) 1 September 1966 Lampeter, Wales
Political party	Plaid Cymru
Alma mater	Cardiff University, Aberystwyth University

Background

She 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.[2] 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.[3]

Elin 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.[3]

Political career

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

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.[3] Her record was criticized by George Monbiot in his 2013 book Feral.[4]

In the fourth Assembly she became Plaid's health spokesperson and unsuccessfully contested the leadership election following the resignation of Ieuan Wyn Jones.[5]

In the fifth Assembly she beat fellow Plaid Cymru AM Dafydd Elis-Thomas to become Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales by 35 votes to his 25.[6]

References

1. 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.
2. "Alumni at the Senedd". Aberystwyth University. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
3. "Member Profile". National Assembly for Wales. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
4. Monbiot, George (9 November 2015). "Allowing scallop dredging in 'strictly protected' dolphin reserves is madness | George Monbiot". the Guardian. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
5. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-17381377
6. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-36256040

External links

• Elin Jones' Official website
• Plaid Cymru's Official website

Offices held

Senedd Cymru
Preceded by (new post)	Member of the Senedd for Ceredigion 1999–present	Incumbent
Preceded by Rosemary Butler	Llywydd of the Senedd Cymru 2016–present	Succeeded by Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by (new post)	Shadow Economic Development Minister 1999 - 2006	Succeeded by Alun Ffred Jones
Preceded by TBC	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 by Marc Phillips	Chair of Plaid Cymru 2000–2002	Succeeded by John Dixon