Siân Gwenllian

Siân Gwenllian is a Welsh Plaid Cymru politician who has represented the constituency of Arfon in the Senedd since 2016.^[1] She currently holds the seat with a majority of 8,642 votes.^[2]

Siân Gwenllian MS
Gwenllian in 2021
Lead Designated Member in the Co-operation Agreement
In office 1 December 2021 – 17 May 2024
Leader	Adam Price Llyr Gruffydd (acting) Rhun ap Iorwerth
Preceded by	Position Created
Succeeded by	Position Abolished
Deputy Leader of Plaid Cymru
In office 23 October 2018 – 27 June 2023 Serving with Rhun ap Iorwerth (2018–2023)
Leader	Adam Price Llyr Gruffydd (acting) Rhun ap Iorwerth
Preceded by	Elin Jones (2016)
Succeeded by	Delyth Jewell
Member of the Senedd for Arfon
Incumbent
Assumed office 5 May 2016
Preceded by	Alun Ffred Jones
Majority	8,642
Personal details
Born	(1956-06-19) 19 June 1956 (age 69)
Nationality	Welsh
Political party	Plaid Cymru
Alma mater	Aberystwyth University Cardiff University

Early life and career

Gwenllian was educated at Friars School, Bangor and at Aberystwyth and Cardiff universities. She was then a journalist with the BBC and HTV in Bangor before becoming a county councillor for Y Felinheli, the village where she was brought up and currently lives.^[3][4][5]

Between 2010 and 2012 she was responsible for the authority's finance portfolio. Between 2012 and 2014 she was Cabinet Member for Education, lead on children and young people, and was deputy leader of the Council. In 2014, she was appointed Gwynedd Small Business Champion, responsible for promoting this sector of the economy in Gwynedd.^[5]

Senedd career

Gwenllian represents the Arfon constituency in the Welsh Parliament. She was elected for the first time in 2016, and was re-elected in 2021.

Gwenllian previously held the portfolio for Local Government, the Welsh Language, Equalities and Planning in Plaid's shadow cabinet in the 5th Senedd.^[6]

Gwenllian was also a member of the Senedd's Committee for Children, Young People and Education, Finance Committee and the Senedd's Business Committee.^[7]

In 2018, she became co-deputy leader of Plaid Cymru alongside fellow Ynys Môn AM Rhun ap Iorwerth. Upon her appointment by leader Adam Price, Siân Gwenllian stated that, "I'm proud to be a member of this group of talented and skilled individuals and look forward to working together as a collective as we move towards the project of building a New Wales".^[3]

Gwenllian was also appointed as an Senedd Commission Commissioner in November 2018 and was responsible for official languages and the delivery and transformation of services to Assembly Members.^[8][9]

From 2018 to 2021, Gwenllian was Plaid Cymru's spokesperson for the Welsh Language, Education, Children and Young People and Culture. She was also the Chief Whip and Deputy Leader of Plaid Cymru's shadow cabinet until 2023.

Gwenllian was re-elected in 2021 with a higher percentage of the vote than any other candidate throughout Wales.

Gwenllian was Plaid Cymru's Lead Designated Member in the 2021–2024 Co-operation agreement between Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Government.^[10]

Gwenllian will be contesting the new Gwynedd Maldwyn Senedd constituency at the Next Senedd election, placed first on Plaid Cymru's list for the constituency.^[11]

Personal life

Gwenllian had four children with her husband, Dafydd who died from cancer in 1999, when their youngest son was three years old, Gwenllian brought up her children as a single parent.

During her time at Aberystwyth University she was President of the Students' Union. She was also a Member of the Board of Governors of schools and a Member of the Community Council before becoming a County Councillor.