Llŷr Huws Gruffydd, (born 25 September 1970) is a Welsh Plaid Cymru politician, serving as a Member of the Senedd (MS) for the North Wales region since 2011. He acted as interim leader of Plaid Cymru from 16 May to 16 June 2023.
Llŷr Gruffydd | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader of Plaid Cymru | |
| In office 16 May 2023 – 16 June 2023 | |
| Deputy | Rhun ap Iorwerth Siân Gwenllian |
| Preceded by | Adam Price |
| Succeeded by | Rhun ap Iorwerth |
| Member of the Senedd for North Wales | |
| Assumed office 6 May 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Janet Ryder |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Llŷr Huws Gruffydd 25 September 1970 |
| Political party | Plaid Cymru |
| Education | Aberystwyth University (BA) |
Education and early career
Gruffydd attended Bro Myrddin Welsh Comprehensive School and Aberystwyth University where he graduated with a BA degree in Welsh.[1]
He began his working career as a youth worker, then worked for Wales Youth Agency and the Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Services and then as a project manager for an economic development company. Gruffydd has also been a Management Consultant for the National Trust in Wales.[2]
Political Career
Local Politics
He was a Carmarthen Town Councillor,[2] and Mayor of the Town from 2001-2002.[3]
National Politics
Gruffydd stood for the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire UK Parliament constituency at the 2001 general election, coming third,[4] and for the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Welsh Assembly constituency at the 2003 Assembly elections, coming second.[5] He then stood for Clwyd West seat at the 2010 General Election, but was not elected.[6]
He has served as a Member of the Senedd (MS) for the North Wales region since 2011.[7] In the 2011 Senedd election, he was returned as one of the four members of the Senedd for the North Wales region, being the first placed candidate on the Plaid Cymru list.[8]
In October 2018, Llyr Gruffydd took on the Plaid Cymru role for the environment and rural affairs.[9]
Gruffydd is Plaid Cymru's spokesperson on finance and local government and he is also the chair of the Senedd committee on climate change, environment and infrastructure, and a member of the committee for scrutiny of the First Minister; committee for culture, communications, welsh language, sport and international relations, and the Llywydd's committee.[10] He also chairs the cross-party group on horseracing, as well as being a member of cross-party groups on mental health, North Wales, public transport, renewable and low carbon energy, rural growth, shooting and conservation, small shops, sport and tourism.
Interim Leadership of Plaid Cymru
On 11 May 2023 he was nominated as the interim leader of Plaid Cymru following the resignation of Adam Price.[11] He served as Plaid Cymru's interim leader from 16 May until 16 June, when Rhun ap Iorwerth was elected unopposed as the new party leader.[12][13]
During his leadership, Gruffydd maintained the co-operation agreement between Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru. He was also critical of the party's inaction on misconduct within the party, which led to Price's resignation and his interim leadership.[14]
Personal life
Llyr Gruffydd was born and raised in Carmarthenshire and now lives close to Ruthin in Denbighshire.[15]
He is the father of four children.[16]
References
External links
- Llyr Huws Gruffydd, profile at the site of Plaid Cymru official site