Janet Ryder (born 21 June 1955) is a
Welsh
Welsh may refer to:
Related to Wales
* Welsh, referring or related to Wales
* Welsh language, a Brittonic Celtic language spoken in Wales
* Welsh people
People
* Welsh (surname)
* Sometimes used as a synonym for the ancient Britons (Celtic peop ...
politician. She was a
Plaid Cymru
Plaid Cymru ( ; ; officially Plaid Cymru – the Party of Wales, often referred to simply as Plaid) is a centre-left to left-wing, Welsh nationalist political party in Wales, committed to Welsh independence from the United Kingdom.
Plaid wa ...
member of the
National Assembly for Wales
The Senedd (; ), officially known as the Welsh Parliament in English language, English and () in Welsh language, Welsh, is the Devolution in the United Kingdom, devolved, unicameral legislature of Wales. A democratically elected body, it makes ...
for
North Wales
, area_land_km2 = 6,172
, postal_code_type = Postcode
, postal_code = LL, CH, SY
, image_map1 = Wales North Wales locator map.svg
, map_caption1 = Six principal areas of Wales common ...
from 1999 to 2011. She moved with her family to Wales in 1990 and has since learnt
Welsh
Welsh may refer to:
Related to Wales
* Welsh, referring or related to Wales
* Welsh language, a Brittonic Celtic language spoken in Wales
* Welsh people
People
* Welsh (surname)
* Sometimes used as a synonym for the ancient Britons (Celtic peop ...
.
Professional career
Ryder was born in
Sunderland
Sunderland () is a port city in Tyne and Wear, England. It is the City of Sunderland's administrative centre and in the Historic counties of England, historic county of County of Durham, Durham. The city is from Newcastle-upon-Tyne and is on t ...
. A former teacher and youth worker, she was involved with voluntary and community work in her home town of Ruthin.
In 2010 she became a member of the executive board of the
Wales Rugby League
Wales Rugby League is the national governing body for rugby league football in Wales.
In 1907 The Welsh Northern Rugby Football Union was formed in Wrexham, but the English Northern Rugby Football Union refused it affiliation as they wanted the ...
and has been one of its patrons since 2006.
She was formerly the Chair of Canolfan Awelon Management Committee and was also a former director on the board of Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council.
Political career
Ryder has served as Mayor of Ruthin, on the Denbighshire County Council from 1995 to 1999, and on the
Plaid Cymru
Plaid Cymru ( ; ; officially Plaid Cymru – the Party of Wales, often referred to simply as Plaid) is a centre-left to left-wing, Welsh nationalist political party in Wales, committed to Welsh independence from the United Kingdom.
Plaid wa ...
National Executive, where she was formerly Shadow Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning.
During the First Assembly (1999–2003), she was the Shadow Minister for Local Government and Communities and in 2002 she was given additional responsibility for Finance. She was re-elected in May 2003 to serve in the Second Assembly (2003–2007) and was one of twelve members of the Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales group. Following a Shadow Cabinet reshuffle in November 2003 she became the Shadow Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning. In April 2006, in line with changes made by the Assembly Government this portfolio changed to Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills. Her portfolio included responsibilities for schools, further education and skills development, higher education, the youth service and the careers service.
During the Third Assembly (2007–2011) she resigned that post (June 2008) and became chair of the Subordinate Legislation Committee which subsequently was renamed the Constitutional Affairs Committee. Since 2007 she has also been chair of the Wales branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. At the same time she became chair of the Cross Party Group on Autism.
In March 2008, Ryder launched a campaign calling on the UK Government to allow national flags such as the Welsh dragon to be displayed on car number plates. "I'm launching a petition to put pressure on
Gordon Brown
James Gordon Brown (born 20 February 1951) is a British former politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party (UK), Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 to 2010. He previously served as Chance ...
to listen to the people on this matter," she said. "Thousands have already voted with their feet on this and are proudly flying the flag but many more would no doubt join them if they knew they would not be breaking the law."
She contested
Clwyd South in the
2010 general election, finishing fourth.
She did not stand to be re-elected in the
2011 National Assembly for Wales election
Eleven or 11 may refer to:
*11 (number), the natural number following 10 and preceding 12
* one of the years 11 BC, AD 11, 1911, 2011, or any year ending in 11
Literature
* ''Eleven'' (novel), a 2006 novel by British author David Llewellyn
*'' ...
.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ryder, Janet
1955 births
Living people
Councillors in Wales
Plaid Cymru councillors
Plaid Cymru members of the Senedd
Plaid Cymru parliamentary candidates
Wales AMs 1999–2003
Wales AMs 2003–2007
Wales AMs 2007–2011
Female members of the Senedd
20th-century British women politicians
Women councillors in Wales