About Me…

After living in Cardiff and London for a period of time, I returned to Ynys Môn, where I now live with my lovely wife, Llinos, and our three amazing children.

 

I enjoy many hobbies and activities outside of politics, such as music, travel, and sports. I enjoy going out for runs or out for an adventure on my bike. I also play rugby for Team Senedd Cymru. I have previously coached junior rugby here on Ynys Môn, for Clwb Rygbi Llangefni, and I thoroughly enjoyed this experience.

 

I have also tried following in the footsteps of my father, Edward, by composing music and attempting to play several instruments.

 

 

 

 

Growing Up…

I was born in Tonteg, Rhondda Cynon Taf. My upbringing began in Meirionydd, and then moved to Ynys Môn. I attended Ysgol Gynradd Llandegfan, where my father was the headteacher. Following on from primary school, I then went onto Ysgol Gyfun David Hughes in Menai Bridge. After working very hard, I was lucky enough to attend Cardiff University to study Politics and Welsh, where I graduated from in 1993.

My mother was a big influence in my life, especially in my passion for politics. We’re not here for a long time and I know my mother made a huge contribution to her community and to Wales with her work with Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin, the teaching union UCAC and Merched y Wawr. Seeing the things said about her and the gratitude shown towards the work she’d done showed me quite clearly that I couldn’t go through life without making a contribution if that was at all possible.

 

Before Senedd Cymru…

In 1994, I joined BBC Cymru Wales and worked as a Journalist at BBC Westminster. I returned to Wales after the 1997 devolution referendum. I then became BBC Wales’ Chief Political Correspondent in 2001, a role which I held for 5 years, before I moved over into presenting programmes such as Politics Show Wales, Dragon’s Eye and S4C’s main evening news

programme Newyddion. I also hosted many radio programmes such as BBC Radio Wales’  Good Morning Wales,  BBC Radio Cymru’s Post Cyntaf breakfast news, and Dau o’r Bae. Outside of presenting the News, I have also presented many series’ for S4C, as well as coverage of the National Eisteddfod, Y Rhufeiniaid (The Romans), and the parts series Pethe.  In June 2013, I decided to leave the BBC to pursue a career in politics.

 

 

 

MS Ynys Môn…

In June 2013, I decided to leave the BBC  and pursue a Plaid Cymru nomination for the Welsh Assembly Ynys Môn by-election. This by-election was key, as if Welsh Labour would have won, they would have had the outright majority in the Assembly with 31 out of 60 seats. The election took place on 1st August 2013, where I won. I held my seat in the 2016 elections.

I have served as Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson for Economy and Transport as well as Health and Care during my time as the MS for Ynys Môn. I have also served the party as the Deputy Leader.

 

 

 

 

Leader of Plaid Cymru…

In May 2023, I ran to become the leader of Plaid Cymru, where I was gladly elected.