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Elin Jones

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other people of a similar name, see Ellen Jones (disambiguation).

The Right Honourable
Elin Jones
MS
Official portrait, 2026
Cabinet Minister for Finance
Incumbent
Assumed office
13 May 2026
First MinisterRhun ap Iorwerth
Preceded byMark Drakeford
Llywydd of the Senedd
In office
11 May 2016 – 12 May 2026
DeputyAnn Jones
David Rees
Preceded byRosemary Butler
Succeeded byHuw Irranca-Davies
Deputy Leader of Plaid Cymru
In office
17 July 2012 – 11 May 2016
LeaderLeanne Wood
Preceded byHelen Mary Jones
Succeeded bySiân Gwenllian
Rhun ap Iorwerth
Minister for Rural Affairs
In office
19 July 2007 – 11 May 2011
First MinisterRhodri Morgan
Carwyn Jones
Preceded byCarwyn Jones
Succeeded byLesley Griffiths
Member of the Senedd
Incumbent
Assumed office
6 May 1999
Preceded byPosition established
ConstituencyCeredigion (1999–2026)
Ceredigion Penfro (2026–present)
Personal details
Born (1966-09-01) 1 September 1966 (age 59)
Lampeter, Wales
PartyPlaid Cymru
Cardiff University,
Aberystwyth University

Elin Jones (born 1 September 1966) is a Welsh politician who has served as the Cabinet Minister for Finance since 2026. A member of Plaid Cymru, Jones was the Llywydd of the Senedd from 2016 to 2026 and has been a Member of the Senedd (MS) since its establishment in 1999, representing Ceredigion until 2026, and Ceredigion Penfro since May 2026.[1][2] Along with Lynne Neagle, Jones is the joint longest serving member of the Senedd, serving since 1999.

Background

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Jones attended Llanwnnen Primary School and Lampeter Comprehensive. She graduated from University of Wales, Cardiff with a BSc in Economics and took a post-graduate MSc in Agricultural Economics at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth in 1989.[3] Previously she was employed as an Economic Development officer for the Development Board for Rural Wales. She is a former Shadow Environment, Planning and Countryside Minister.[4]

Jones speaks Welsh and English. She is also a former director of Radio Ceredigion and of Wes Glei Cyf, a television production company.[4]

Political career

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Elin Jones served on Aberystwyth Town Council from 1992 to 1999 and was the youngest-ever Mayor of Aberystwyth from 1997 to 1998.[5][6] She was the National Chair of Plaid Cymru between 2000 and 2002.[7]

National Assembly for Wales

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In the first Assembly elections in 1999 Elin Jones was elected as Assembly Member for Ceredigion and served as Shadow Economic Development Minister during the Assembly's first term. Following the Assembly election in 2003, she retained this portfolio until 2006 when she became Shadow Minister for Environment, Planning & Countryside. On 9 July 2007 the One Wales government was formed and Elin Jones was made Minister for Rural Affairs. Elin Jones continued in this position until Plaid Cymru left Government at the 2011 elections.[4] Her record was criticized by George Monbiot in his 2013 book Feral.[8]

In the fourth Assembly she became Plaid's health spokesperson and unsuccessfully contested the leadership election following the resignation of Ieuan Wyn Jones.[9]

Llywydd

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In the fifth Assembly she beat fellow Plaid Cymru AM Dafydd Elis-Thomas to become Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales by 34 votes to his 25.[10] She is also Llywydd of the Welsh Youth Parliament

In June 2021, Jones attempted to ban Members of the Senedd from displaying flags in their offices during video calls.[11]

In the 2026 Senedd election, following reforms of the Senedd electoral system, Jones was elected as candidate in the newly established Ceredigion Penfro constituency.[2][12]

Following the election, she stepped down as Llywydd and was appointed Cabinet Minister for Finance in the new ap Iorwerth government.[13]

References

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  1. ^ Jones, James Barry; Osmond, John (2001). Inclusive Government and Party Management: The National Assembly for Wales and the Work of Its Committees. Institute of Welsh Affairs. p. 183. ISBN 9781871726695. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  2. ^ a b Mosalski, Ruth (8 May 2026). "Wales' Senedd Election results 2026 in full as new political map of Wales unveiled". Wales Online. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  3. ^ "Alumni at the Senedd". Aberystwyth University. 6 June 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "Member Profile – Elin Jones MS". National Assembly for Wales. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  5. ^ Forgrave, Andrew (13 April 2011). "Elin Jones: What you need to know". North Wales Live. Archived from the original on 24 August 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  6. ^ "People of the Senedd – Rt. Hon. Elin Jones MS". Senedd.Wales. Archived from the original on 14 March 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  7. ^ "Plaid Cymru runner-up Elin Jones named deputy group leader". BBC News. 17 July 2012. Archived from the original on 18 August 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  8. ^ Monbiot, George (9 November 2015). "Allowing scallop dredging in 'strictly protected' dolphin reserves is madness | George Monbiot". the Guardian. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  9. ^ "Plaid Cymru elect Leanne Wood as new leader". BBC News. 15 March 2012. Archived from the original on 12 August 2016.
  10. ^ "Welsh Assembly chooses Elin Jones as presiding officer". BBC News. 11 May 2016. Archived from the original on 21 July 2016.
  11. ^ "No more flags on video calls, Welsh Parliament members told". 23 June 2021. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  12. ^ Betteley, Chris (16 May 2025). "Plaid announce Ceredigion Penfro candidates for 2026 Senedd elections". Cambrian News. Archived from the original on 16 May 2025.
  13. ^ Deans, David (13 May 2026). "Rhun ap Iorwerth reveals ministerial team, promising 'new era' for Wales". BBC News. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
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Offices held

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