Siân Gwenllian is a Welsh

Plaid Cymru Plaid Cymru ( ; , ; officially Plaid Cymru – the Party of Wales, and often referred to simply as Plaid) is a centre-left, Welsh nationalist list of political parties in Wales, political party in Wales, committed to Welsh independence from th ...

politician who has represented the constituency of Arfon in the

Senedd The Senedd ( ; ), officially known as the Welsh Parliament in English and () in Welsh, is the devolved, unicameral legislature of Wales. A democratically elected body, Its role is to scrutinise the Welsh Government and legislate on devolve ...

since 2016. She currently holds the seat with a majority of 8,642 votes.

Early life and career

Gwenllian was educated at Friars School, Bangor and at

Aberystwyth Aberystwyth (; ) is a University town, university and seaside town and a community (Wales), community in Ceredigion, Wales. It is the largest town in Ceredigion and from Aberaeron, the county's other administrative centre. In 2021, the popula ...

and

Cardiff Cardiff (; ) is the capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of Wales. Cardiff had a population of in and forms a Principal areas of Wales, principal area officially known as the City and County of Ca ...

universities. She was then a journalist with the BBC and HTV in Bangor before becoming a county councillor for

Y Felinheli Y Felinheli (), formerly known in English as Port Dinorwic, is a village and community beside the Menai Strait ( or ''Afon Menai'') between Bangor and Caernarfon in Gwynedd, northwest Wales. History Toponymy Etymologically, its name comes f ...

, the village where she was brought up and currently lives. 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.

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. Gwenllian was also a member of the Senedd's Committee for Children, Young People and Education, Finance Committee and the Senedd's Business Committee. In 2018, she became co-deputy leader of Plaid Cymru alongside fellow Ynys Môn AM

Rhun ap Iorwerth Rhun ap Iorwerth (; born 27 August 1972) is a Welsh journalist and politician who has served as the Leader of Plaid Cymru since June 2023. He has been the Member of the Senedd (MS) for Ynys Môn (Senedd constituency), Ynys Môn since 2013 Ynys ...

. 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". Gwenllian was also appointed as an

Senedd Commission The Senedd Commission () is the corporate body for the Senedd of Wales. The commission is responsible for ensuring the property, staff and services are provided for the Senedd. The commission consists of the Llywydd of the Senedd and four memb ...

Commissioner in November 2018 and was responsible for official languages and the delivery and transformation of services to Assembly Members. 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. Gwenllian will be contesting the new Gwynedd Maldwyn Senedd constituency at the

Next Senedd election The next Senedd election is due to be held by 7 May 2026 to elect 96 members to the Senedd (Welsh Parliament; ). It will be the seventh devolved general election since the Senedd (formerly the National Assembly for Wales) was established in 1 ...

, placed first on Plaid Cymru's list for the constituency.

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.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gwenllian, Sian 1956 births Living people Plaid Cymru members of the Senedd Female members of the Senedd Wales MSs 2016–2021 Wales MSs 2021–2026 People educated at Friars School, Bangor Alumni of Aberystwyth University Alumni of Cardiff University People from Y Felinheli Welsh-speaking politicians