Leanne Wood was a
Member of the National Assembly for Wales between May 2003 and April 2021. This
was her biography at the time she left.
Key interests and
achievements
Leanne has been heavily involved in the trade union movement
and was previously the chair of the all-party PCS Union group in the Assembly.
During her tenure as AM, she has been responsible for the Sustainability,
Environment, Social Justice, and Housing portfolios for Plaid Cymru. Outside of
politics, her interests include learning Welsh and gardening.
Other affiliations:
- Member of UNISON
- Associate
Member of the National Association of Probation Officers.
- Palestine
Solidarity Campaign
- Amnesty
International
- Cymdeithas
yr Iaith Gymraeg
- CAMRA
- Abortion
Rights
- Republic
- Cymru
Cuba
- Bevan
Foundation
Personal history
Leanne Wood was born in the Rhondda where she continues to
live today. She was educated at Tonypandy Comprehensive School, the University
of Glamorgan and Cardiff University.
Professional
background
Before her election to the National Assembly in 2003, Leanne
worked as a professional tutor and lectured in social policy at Cardiff
University. She also worked as a probation officer and a support worker for Cwm
Cynon Women's Aid during 2001 and 2002.
Political history
Leanne has produced two major policy documents for Plaid
Cymru. In 2008, she published Making Our Communities Safer which argued for the
criminal justice system in Wales to be devolved. In 2011, A Greenprint for the
Valleys was published, in which Leanne argued for a green job creation
programme aimed at regenerating the former coalfield areas of the valleys.
On 15 March 2012, Leanne was elected as leader of Plaid
Cymru, becoming the first woman to lead the party. She was elected as Assembly
Member for the Rhondda in May 2016.
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)
