Rhianon Passmore MS

Key interests and achievements

Rhianon is especially interested in education, local government, economic development and regeneration.  She is a committed advocate for women, has chaired the Welsh Labour’s Women’s Committee & Policy Forum and is a Welsh Woman of the Year Finalist.

Rhianon is a passionate champion of music and the creative arts. She has a strong interest in music education and arts development. She has served on the BBC Broadcasting Council Wales and the executive body of the National Books Council for Wales.

Personal history

Born and educated in Islwyn. Rhianon’s long standing commitment to community regeneration projects in South Wales has been recognised by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Her own experiences as a working mother of four mean Rhianon has a fervent belief in the necessary provision of accessible childcare for all.

Professional background

With vast experience across the education sector, Rhianon is a pre-school music specialist, musician and a former lecturer. She is a former Cabinet Member for Education at Caerphilly County Borough Council, Chair of the Education Achievement Service for South East Wales and Vice Chair of ESIS (Education Support Inclusion Services South East Wales).

Rhianon has a strong background in Local Government and is an accredited Local Government Peer Mentor.   Committed to public service delivery, Rhianon was the Welsh representative on the Local Government Association Regeneration and Transport Board. She has worked as a senior Trade Union officer delivering equality priorities across the South West UK.

Political history

A dedicated member of the Labour Party for many years, Rhianon has served on the party’s National Policy Forum. She has extensive political experience of policy development at a local and national level. She believes strongly in the values of practical application of the Labour values of equality of opportunity for all and has a long record in campaigning against far right organisations such as the BNP.