Dafydd
Elis-Thomas was a Member of the National Assembly for Wales between May 1999
and April 2021. This was his biography at the time he left.
Deputy
Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism
Key interests and
achievements
Dafydd
Elis-Thomas enjoys the recreations of hill walking and jogging from the family
cottage near Betws y Coed. Dafydd Elis-Thomas is also active in the Church in
Wales.
Personal history
Dafydd
Elis-Thomas has lived most of his life in the Snowdonia National Park.
Professional background
He
is a former researcher and teacher in adult and higher education.
Political history
He
was elected by his colleagues as ‘Llywydd’ or Presiding Officer of the National
Assembly in 1999, 2003 and 2007, and has led improvements and reforms in the
Assembly’s ways of working.
These
include an accessible Petitions Committee, and new clear standing orders, and a
‘Vote 2011’ campaign to encourage registration especially among new younger
voters. He also introduced a new law to ensure AM’s pay and staff conditions
are decided by an independent Remuneration Board, and a strong Independent
Commissioner for Standards for AMs to promote the best quality of public life.
During
the Fourth Assembly (2011 – 2016), Dafydd was a member of the National
Assembly’s Business and Enterprise Committee, and a member of the Constitutional
and Legislative Affairs Committee.
Chair,
Environment and Sustainability Committee (June 2011 - March 2014)
Chair,
Future Landscapes Wales Working Group (October 2015 - December 2017)
In
October 2016, Dafydd left Plaid Cymru and became an Independent Assembly
Member.
Register of
Interests
Register of Interests – Fifth Senedd (PDF,
3.25MB)
Register of Interests – Fourth Assembly (PDF,
850kb)
Register of Interests – Third Assembly (PDF,
490kb)
Register of Interests – Second Assembly (PDF,
361kb)
Register of Interests – First Assembly (PDF,
268kb)
