Majority 8,469 (28.9%) Party Plaid Cymru | Preceded by New Assembly Role Welsh Politician Preceded by New office Name Rhodri Thomas | |
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Education University of Wales, Lampeter, Bangor University, Aberystwyth University | ||
Rhodri glyn thomas ac am
Rhodri Glyn Thomas (born 11 April 1953) is a Welsh politician. He has been the Plaid Cymru National Assembly for Wales Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr since 1999, but did not re-stand for election in 2016. Following his retirement from the Assembly he was appointed President of the National Library of Wales.
Contents
- Rhodri glyn thomas ac am
- Interview welsh rhodri glyn thomas committee of the regions 99th plenary session 31 01 13
- Education
- Professional career
- Political career
- Wales Book Of The Year Controversy
- Cigar controversy
- References
Interview welsh rhodri glyn thomas committee of the regions 99th plenary session 31 01 13
Education
Thomas was born in Wrexham, Denbighshire. He attended Ysgol Bodhyfryd, Wrexham, and then Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, Wrexham before leaving for the University of Wales, Aberystwyth in 1975 to study for a degree in Welsh. After graduating in 1978, he studied for a BD degree in Theology at the University of Wales, Bangor and Bala-Bangor Theological Seminary under R. Tudur Jones. In 1991 he studied for a MTh degree at the University of Wales, Lampeter, reading American Theology although the final thesis he submitted was on the Union of Welsh Independents (Undeb yr Annibynwyr Cymraeg) role in the struggle to revive the Welsh Language in the 20th century.
Professional career
Thomas is a Minister of Religion, the director of a language consultancy, a former Chair of CND Cymru and Welsh spokesperson for the Forum of Private Business.
Political career
In 1992, Thomas fought the old Carmarthen constituency in the General Election for Plaid Cymru - Party of Wales. In the 1997 General Election he stood for Plaid Cymru in Carmarthen East & Dinefwr. In 1999 he fought the same constituency in the National Assembly Elections, winning by 6,980 votes. He was reelected in 2007 with an increased majority of over 8,000 making it the Assembly's second safest seat. Plaid Cymru entered into a coalition government with Welsh Labour in July 2007, and Rhodri Glyn Thomas was appointed as Minister for Heritage (19 July 2007), which he resigned from in 2008, over a gaffe.
In December 2016 Thomas announced that he would stand as a candidate for election to Carmarthenshire County Council, contesting the St Clears ward. However, he was heavily defeated at the election by the sitting Independent councillor.
Wales Book Of The Year Controversy
There was controversy at the Academi 2008 Wales Book of the Year ceremony when Thomas incorrectly announced that Tom Bullough was the winner. The prize was, in fact, awarded to Dannie Abse, Thomas having read the card wrongly.
Cigar controversy
In July 2008 Thomas is reported to have walked into a Cardiff pub with a lit cigar, thus breaking the law. Following this he has resigned his job from the Welsh Cabinet.