Betty Williams (politician)

Betty Williams MP
Member of Parliament for Conwy
In office 2 May 1997 – 12 April 2010
Preceded by	Wyn Roberts
Succeeded by	Constituency abolished
Personal details
Born	(1944-07-31) 31 July 1944 Bangor, Caernarfonshire, Wales
Political party	Labour
Alma mater	University of Wales, Bangor

Betty Helena Williams (born 31 July 1944) is a Welsh Labour politician, who was the Member of Parliament for Conwy from 1997 to 2010.

Early life

Williams was born in St David's Hospital, Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales. She attended Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle in Penygroes, near Caernarfon, and also attended Bangor Normal College.

Her political career began in 1967 when she was elected to become a member of the Llanllyfni Parish Council. She proceeded to serve as a district council, and more recently in 1990 as Mayor of Arfon.

Williams is a former chair of a community centre, as well as a former Christian Aid and Meals on Wheels organiser, and an Honorary Fellow of the University of Wales, Bangor. She worked as a secretary and freelance journalist.

Parliamentary career

Williams unsuccessfully contested Caernarfon in 1983 and Conwy in 1987 and 1992. In 1995 Williams was again selected to stand for election for Labour in Conwy, though this time through an all-women shortlist.

Williams is seen as a party loyalist and has been known to criticise those in the Labour Party that called for former Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to stand down.

She was a member the Parliamentary Labour Party committees on education and employment; health and social services, and culture, media and sport.

She was also a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Groups in the House of Commons covering children in Wales, primary headache disorders, maternity, multiple sclerosis and vaccine-damaged children.

In September 2008, Williams announced that she would not be contesting her parliamentary seat at the 2010 general election. She stated that this is due to her wanting to 'change the balance' of her workload.

Personal life

Williams is married to Evan with two sons who are now grown up. Williams is both her married and maiden name. She has a BA from the University of Wales. Her interests include opera and sheepdog trials.

External links

• Betty Williams MP TheyWorkForYou.com
• Betty Williams MP voting record The Public Whip

News items

• Conwy MP Betty Williams to retire BBC News, 11 September 2008
• MPs 'smoking in Commons toilets' BBC News, 5 July 2007
• MP calls for school car ban BBC News, 6 December 2003