Rhun ap Iorwerth

Rhun ap Iorwerth MS
Official portrait, 2021
Leader of Plaid Cymru
Incumbent
Assumed office 16 June 2023
President	The Lord Wigley
Deputy	Siân Gwenllian Delyth Jewell
Preceded by	Adam Price
Deputy Leader of Plaid Cymru
In office 23 October 2018 – 16 June 2023 Serving with Siân Gwenllian
Leader	Adam Price Llyr Gruffydd (acting)
Preceded by	Elin Jones (2016)
Succeeded by	Siân Gwenllian
Member of the Senedd for Ynys Môn
Incumbent
Assumed office 2 August 2013
Preceded by	Ieuan Wyn Jones
Majority	9,166 (37.8%)
Personal details
Born	Rhun ap Iorwerth Jones (1972-08-27) 27 August 1972 (age 51) Tonteg, Pontypridd, Wales
Political party	Plaid Cymru
Children	3[1]
Residence(s)	Llangristiolus, Ynys Môn
Profession	Politician and formerly a journalist
Website	www.rhunapiorwerth.cymru

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Rheen-ap-YORR-weth;^[2] born 27 August 1972) is a Welsh journalist and politician serving as the Leader of Plaid Cymru since June 2023. He has been the Member of the Senedd (MS) for Ynys Môn since 2013.

Early and personal life

Rhun ap Iorwerth was born in Tonteg, Rhondda Cynon Taf, to Edward Morus and Gwyneth (née Humphreys) Jones.^[3] Born Rhun ap Iorwerth Jones,^[4] his name is Welsh for 'Rhun, the son of Iorwerth', a name commonly anglicised as Edward.^[5] He was brought up in Meirionydd and then Anglesey from age five.^[6] Both Rhun's parents were teachers and Welsh language campaigners.^[6] His father was a primary school headteacher who composed various songs and musicals for children and young people such as Cwm-Rhyd-Y-Rhosyn.^[3][7] Rhun has an older sister, Awen Iorwerth, an orthopedic surgeon.^[8]

He attended Ysgol Rhyd-y-Main, Dolgellau for a short period, before moving to Anglesey and attending Ysgol Gynradd Llandegfan (Llandegfan Primary School) followed by secondary education at Ysgol David Hughes, Menai Bridge.^[6] He then studied politics and Welsh at Cardiff University, and graduated in 1993.^[6][9]

After living in both Cardiff and London, Rhun lives in Anglesey with his wife and has three children.^[3]

Career

In 1994, Rhun joined BBC Cymru Wales, and worked as a journalist at BBC Westminster. Returning to Wales after the 1997 devolution referendum, he became BBC Wales' Chief Political Correspondent in 2001, a post he held for five years, before moving into presenting roles. He has been presenter of The Politics Show Wales, Dragon's Eye, ampm, BBC Radio Wales' Good Morning Wales, BBC Radio Cymru's Post Cyntaf breakfast news programme and weekly political discussion programme Dau o'r Bae, and the BBC's main evening news programme for S4C Newyddion. He has also been a regular correspondent for BBC Network news, featuring on all BBC News channels. Outside news, he has presented numerous series for S4C, including its coverage of the National Eisteddfod, Y Rhufeiniaid (the Romans), and arts series Pethe.^[10]

In January 2012, Rhun was announced as one of the patrons of the Cronfa Betsi Fund, the charitable arm of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.^[11]

Political career

On 20 June 2013, former Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones resigned from the National Assembly for Wales seat of Ynys Môn in order to take a post leading the new Menai Science Park,^[12][13] triggering a by-election in the constituency.^[14]

In June 2013, BBC Cymru Wales announced that Rhun had stepped down from his news presenting role to pursue a Plaid Cymru nomination for the Welsh assembly Anglesey by-election.^[15]

The by-election provoked a local debate, in which Wylfa Nuclear Power Station became a key issue. The by-election was seen as key – had Welsh Labour won then they would have had an outright majority in the Assembly with 31 out of the 60 seats. The election on 1 August 2013 saw Rhun gain 12,601 votes, over the second-placed candidate Tal Michael (Labour), on a turnout of 42.45%.^[16][17] Rhun held his seat in 2016. He unsuccessfully ran for the leadership of Plaid Cymru in 2018, losing to Adam Price. He was later appointed as joint deputy leader.^[18]

Rhun has served as Plaid Cymru's spokesperson (Shadow Minister) for Economy and Transport and in 2015 called for the South Wales Metro to be delivered on time.^[19]

In July 2022, he announced his candidacy to become Plaid Cymru's prospective parliamentary candidate in Ynys Môn for the 2024 United Kingdom general election.^[20] In October 2023 he was replaced as candidate by Llinos Medi.^[21]

In March 2023, as Plaid Cymru's spokesperson on health and care, Rhun called for a public inquiry into Betsi Cadwaladr health board failures and repeatedly called to replace Betsi with smaller health boards.^[22]

Leadership of Plaid Cymru

In May 2023, Rhun announced he was running to become leader of Plaid Cymru.^[23] He was elected unopposed.^[24]

On 17 March 2024, Rhun announced an early conclusion to the co-operation agreement between Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru, stating "I remain deeply concerned that the First Minister has failed to pay back the £200,000 donation to his leadership campaign from a company convicted of environmental offences, and believe it demonstrates a significant lack of judgment."^[25]

References

External links

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