Rhun ap Iorwerth
Rhun ap Iorwerth | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Rhun ap Iorwerth in 2016 | |
| Member of the Welsh Assembly for Ynys Môn | |
| Assumed office 2 August 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Ieuan Wyn Jones |
| Majority | 9,166 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 August 1972 Tonteg, Pontypridd, Wales |
| Political party | Plaid Cymru |
| Children | 3[1] |
| Residence(s) | Llangristiolus, Ynys Môn |
| Profession | Journalist |
| Website | Official website |
Rhun ap Iorwerth AM (born 27 August 1972) is a Welsh politician and journalist who represents Ynys Môn in the Welsh Assembly.[2] He is a member of Plaid Cymru.
Early and personal life
Born in Tonteg, he was educated at Ysgol Rhyd-y-Main and Ysgol Gynradd Llandegfan before going to Ysgol David Hughes in Menai Bridge.[3] He studied politics and Welsh at Cardiff University.
He is married with three children,[1] and his family is resident on the island of Anglesey.[4]
Career
In 1994, he 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, and arts series Pethe.[5]
In January 2012, he was announced as one of the patrons of the Cronfa Betsi Fund, the charitable arm of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.[6]
Political career
On 20 June 2013, former Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones resigned from the National Assembly for Wales seat in order to take a post leading the new Menai Science Park,[7][8] triggering a by-election in the constituency.[9]
After gaining special dispensation from the Plaid national executive committee (as a serving political journalist, he could not nominally be a member of a political party), Rhun was accepted as a nominee, and immediately stepped down from his commitments at BBC Cymru Wales from 26 June, including Newyddion 9.[10]
The by-election provoked a tough local debate, in which Wylfa Nuclear Power Station became a key issue. If Welsh Labour had won then they would have had a majority in the Assembly. On 1 August 2013 Rhun gained 12,601 votes, more than three times the number of votes secured by the second-placed candidate Tal Michael (Labour), on a turnout of 42.45%.[11][12]
References
- ^ a b "Rhun ap Iorwerth visits Anglesey care homes". Plaid Cymru. 1 July 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
- ^ Vaughan Roderick (1 January 1970). "BBC News – Plaid's Anglesey win 'energising' for party, says Rhun ap Iorwerth". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
- ^ Elgan Hearn (30 November 2011). "Ysgol David Hughes hold a school "hawl i holi" meeting with local politicians". Daily Post. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
- ^ Rhun ap Iorwerth (23 June 2013). "Rhun ap Iorwerth Ynys Môn". Rhunapiorwerth.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
- ^ "About Me". Rhun ap Iorwerth. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
- ^ "Cronfa Betsi Fund launched". Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. 9 February 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
- ^ "Presiding Officer accepts resignation of Ieuan Wyn Jones". Assemblywales.org. 20 June 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
- ^ "BBC News – Ieuan Wyn Jones to stand down as AM with immediate effect". Bbc.co.uk. 20 June 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
- ^ "Ynys Mon by-election set for 1 August". BBC News. 26 June 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
- ^ "BBC presenter Rhun ap Iorwerth seeks Plaid nomination". BBC Wales. 26 June 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
- ^ "Plaid's Anglesey win 'energising' for party, says Rhun ap Iorwerth". BBC Wales. 2 August 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
- ^ "Plaid candidate Rhun ap Iorwerth wins by a landslide in Anglesey by-election". WalesOnline.co.uk. 2 August 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
External links
