Siân Gwenllian MS

Key interests and achievements

Siân was elected to the National Assembly in 2016. She represents the Arfon constituency as a member of Plaid Cymru.  Siân was re-elected to the Welsh Parliament in 2021, doubling her majority with 63.3% of the vote - the highest percentage of any candidate throughout Wales. Her interests outside politics include theatre, art, the Welsh music scene, football and rugby.

Personal history

Siân was educated at Ysgol Friars, Bangor and at Aberystwyth and Cardiff Universities. After losing her husband she brought up her 4 children on her own. She has been a passionate campaigner for women's equality and the Welsh language for over 45 years.

Professional background

Siân worked as a journalist with the BBC, HTV and Golwg. She also worked in public relations including as press officer for Gwynedd Council.

Political history

Between 2008 and 2016 she served as a councillor on Gwynedd Council, representing the village where she grew up, Y Felinheli. She currently holds the Housing and Planning portfolio for Plaid Cymru (2024-) following her role as the Lead Designated Member on the Co-operation Agreement (2021-2024) between Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Labour Government. During the fourth and fifth Senedd terms she has held various policy portfolios for Plaid Cymru including Education/Local Government/Planning/ Welsh Language/Culture and has been the Party’s Senedd Commissioner, Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Deputy Leader in the Senedd.