:Rhun ap Iorwerth
{{Short description|Welsh journalist and politician}}
{{Family name hatnote|lang=Welsh|ap Iorwerth}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Rhun ap Iorwerth
| honorific-suffix = MS
| image = Rhun ap Iorwerth official portrait (cropped).jpg
| imagesize =
| caption = Official portrait, 2021
| order =
| office = Leader of Plaid Cymru
| term_start = 16 June 2023
| term_end =
| president = The Lord Wigley
| deputy = Siân Gwenllian
Delyth Jewell
| predecessor = Adam Price
| office1 = Deputy Leader of Plaid Cymru
| alongside1 = Siân Gwenllian
| leader1 = Adam Price
Llyr Gruffydd (acting)
| term_start1 = 23 October 2018
| term_end1 = 16 June 2023
| predecessor1 = Elin Jones (2016)
| successor1 = Siân Gwenllian
| office2 = Member of the Senedd
for Ynys Môn
| term_start2 = 2 August 2013
| majority2 = 9,166 (37.8%)
| term_end2 =
| predecessor2 = Ieuan Wyn Jones
| successor2 =
| birth_name = Rhun ap Iorwerth Jones
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|8|27|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Tonteg, Pontypridd, Wales
| death_date =
| death_place =
| restingplace =
| birthname =
| nationality =
| party = Plaid Cymru
| otherparty =
| spouse =
| relations =
| children = 3{{cite web|url=http://www.partyofwales.org/news/2013/07/01/rhun-ap-iorwerth-visits-anglesey-care-homes/|title=Rhun ap Iorwerth visits Anglesey care homes|publisher=Plaid Cymru|date=1 July 2013|access-date=2 August 2013}}
| residence = Llangristiolus, Ynys Môn
| alma_mater = Cardiff University (BA)
| occupation =
| profession = Politician and formerly a journalist
| cabinet =
| committees =
| portfolio =
| religion =
| signature =
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| website = {{Official URL}}
| footnotes =
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{{Republicanism sidebar}}
Rhun ap Iorwerth ({{IPA|cy|r̥ɨːn ap ˈjɔrwɛrθ}}; born 27 August 1972) is a Welsh journalist and politician who has served as the Leader of Plaid Cymru since June 2023. He has been the Member of the Senedd (MS) for Ynys Môn since 2013.
Early and personal life
Rhun ap Iorwerth was born in Tonteg, Rhondda Cynon Taf, to Edward Morus and Gwyneth (née Humphreys) Jones.{{cite news |last=Shipton |first=Martin |date=3 August 2013 |title=Rhun ap Iorwerth: My mother's death pushed me into politics |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/rhun-ap-iorwerth-mothers-death-5498686 |work=WalesOnline |access-date=5 June 2024}} Born Rhun ap Iorwerth Jones,{{cite web |url=https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=Tyl8%2F5sV0Fat7wEKeGPOaw&scan=1 |title=Index Entry |website=FreeBMD |publisher=Free UK Genealogy |access-date=5 June 2024 }} his name is Welsh for 'Rhun, the son of Iorwerth', a name commonly anglicised as Edward.{{cite web |url=https://www.open.edu/openlearn/languages/discovering-wales-and-welsh-first-steps/content-section-2.6 |title=Discovering Wales and Welsh: first steps: 2.6 Welsh names |author= |website=OpenLearn |publisher=The Open University |access-date=5 June 2024}} He uses ap Iorwerth as his surname.{{Cite news |last=Hemming |first=Jez |date=5 June 2018 |title=Taxi for ... which North Wales AM managed to guess this Cardiff airport cab was meant for them? |url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/taxi--north-wales-am-14744318 |access-date=7 June 2024 |work=North Wales Live}}
He was brought up in Meirionydd and then Anglesey from age five.{{cite news |date=4 June 2024 |title=Who is Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cxee8lgz44ko |publisher=BBC News |access-date=5 June 2024}} Both ap Iorwerth's parents were teachers and Welsh language campaigners. His father was a primary school headteacher who composed various songs and musicals for children and young people,{{Cite web |title=Anrhydeddu Edward Morus Jones mewn gŵyl yn yr Unol Daleithiau |url=https://newyddion.s4c.cymru/article/9770 |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=newyddion.s4c.cymru |language=cy}} including Cwm-Rhyd-y-Rhosyn, a collaboration with Dafydd Iwan.{{cite web|url=https://mentrauiaith.cymru/en/celebrating-50-years-of-cwm-rhyd-y-rhosyn-with-the-mentrau-iaith-in-eisteddfod-yr-urdd|title=Celebrating 50 years of Cwm-Rhyd-y-Rhosyn with the Mentrau Iaith in Eisteddfod yr Urdd|date=8 May 2024|publisher=Mentrau Iaith Cymru}} Ap Iorwerth has an older sister, Awen Iorwerth, an orthopaedic surgeon.{{Cite tweet |author=Rhun ap Iorwerth |user=RhunapIorwerth |number=1241712246839017472 |date=22 March 2020 |title=I've always listened to my big sister. I want you to listen to her too. She's a Dr – the clever one in our family! – & she knows that if you've decided to visit your caravan/2nd home or to holiday in rural Wales, it's NOT clever. PLEASE help our local services: #gohome & #staysafe |access-date=5 June 2024 }}
He attended Ysgol Rhyd-y-Main, Dolgellau, for a short period, before moving to Anglesey and attending Ysgol Gynradd Llandegfan (Llandegfan Primary School), followed by secondary education at Ysgol David Hughes, Menai Bridge. He then studied politics and Welsh at Cardiff University, and graduated in 1993.{{Cite web |date=2013-09-27 |title=The Welsh Nation – Autumn 2013 by Plaid Cymru – Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/plaid/docs/welsh_nation_-_october_2013 |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=issuu.com}}
After living in both Cardiff and London, ap Iorwerth lives in Anglesey with his wife and has three children.
Career
In 1994, ap Iorwerth joined BBC Cymru Wales, and worked as a journalist at BBC Westminster. Returning to Wales after the 1997 devolution referendum, he became BBC Wales's Chief Political Correspondent in 2001, a post he held for five years, before moving into presenting roles. He has been presenter of The Politics Show Wales, Dragon's Eye, ampm, BBC Radio Wales's Good Morning Wales, BBC Radio Cymru's Post Cyntaf breakfast news programme, the weekly political discussion programme Dau o'r Bae, and the BBC's main evening news programme for S4C Newyddion. He has also been a regular correspondent for BBC Network news, featuring on all BBC News channels. Outside news, he has presented numerous series for S4C, including its coverage of the National Eisteddfod, Y Rhufeiniaid ('The Romans'), and the arts series Pethe.{{cite web|url=http://www.rhunapiorwerth.com/en-GB/about_me-2.aspx|title=About Me|publisher=Rhun ap Iorwerth|access-date=2 August 2013|archive-date=26 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026151343/http://rhunapiorwerth.com/en-GB/about_me-2.aspx|url-status=dead}}
In January 2012, ap Iorwerth was announced as one of the patrons of the Cronfa Betsi Fund, the charitable arm of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.{{cite web|url=http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/861/news/21797/local|title=Cronfa Betsi Fund launched|publisher=Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board|date=9 February 2012|access-date=2 August 2013}}
Political career
On 20 June 2013, the former Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones resigned from the Welsh Assembly seat of Ynys Môn in order to take a post leading the new Menai Science Park,{{cite web|url=http://www.assemblywales.org/newhome/new-news-fourth-assembly.htm?act=dis&id=247249&ds=6/2013 |title=Presiding Officer accepts resignation of Ieuan Wyn Jones |publisher=Assemblywales.org |date=2013-06-20 |access-date=2013-08-02}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-22990696 |title=Ieuan Wyn Jones to stand down as AM with immediate effect |publisher=BBC News |date=20 June 2013 |access-date=2 August 2013}} triggering a by-election in the constituency.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-23072242 |title=Ynys Mon by-election set for 1 August |date=26 June 2013 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=29 June 2013}} In June 2013, BBC Cymru Wales announced that ap Iorwerth had stepped down from his role as a news presenter to pursue a Plaid Cymru nomination for the by-election.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-23021568|title=BBC presenter Rhun ap Iorwerth seeks Plaid nomination|publisher=BBC Wales|date=26 June 2013|access-date=2 August 2013}}
The by-election provoked a local debate, in which Wylfa Nuclear Power Station became a key issue. The by-election was seen as key – had Welsh Labour won then they would have had an outright majority in the Assembly with 31 out of the 60 seats. The election on 1 August 2013 saw ap Iorwerth gain 12,601 votes, over the second-placed candidate Tal Michael (Labour), on a turnout of 42.45%.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-23545120|title=Plaid's Anglesey win 'energising' for party, says Rhun ap Iorwerth|publisher=BBC Wales|date=2 August 2013|access-date=2 August 2013}}{{cite news |last=Shipton |first=Martin |date=2 August 2013 |title=Plaid candidate Rhun ap Iorwerth wins by a landslide in Anglesey by-election |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/plaid-candidate-rhun-ap-iorwerth-5430123 |access-date=2 August 2013 |website=WalesOnline}}
In January 2014, he was appointed as Plaid Cymru's spokesperson on Economy and Enterprise,{{Cite news |date=2014-01-14 |title=Leanne Wood reshuffles Plaid Cymru's assembly team |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-25730621 |access-date=2024-07-01 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=14 January 2014 |title=Plaid Cymru announce cabinet reshuffle ahead of next general election |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/plaid-cymru-announce-cabinet-reshuffle-6505147 |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=Wales Online}} which also included Transport.{{Cite news |date=2015-06-30 |title=£600m South Wales Metro 'must deliver on time' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-33332506 |access-date=2023-05-30 |publisher=BBC News}} Ap Iorwerth held his seat in 2016.{{Cite news |title=Ynys Mon – Welsh Assembly constituency – Election 2016 – BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/wales-constituencies/W09000001 |access-date=2024-07-01 |language=en-GB}} Shortly after those elections, he was appointed as Shadow Minister for Health, as Plaid Cymru had become the second largest party.{{Cite news |date=2016-05-25 |title=Plaid Cymru's Leanne Wood names 'strong' shadow cabinet |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-36382188 |access-date=2024-07-01 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} In October 2016 this ceased to be a shadow cabinet role, as Plaid ceased to be the second largest party.{{Cite news |date=2016-10-14 |title=Plaid Cymru AM Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas quits party |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-37661776 |access-date=2024-07-01 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} He unsuccessfully ran for the leadership of Plaid Cymru in 2018, losing to Adam Price. He was later appointed as joint deputy leader,{{cite tweet|number=1054793721680670721|user=adrianmasters84|title=New Plaid Cymru leader @Adamprice has appointed two deputies: @siangwenfelin and @RhunapIorwerth|first=Adrian|last=Masters|date=23 October 2018}} and as Plaid Spokesperson for Economy and Finance.{{Cite news |date=2018-10-19 |title=New Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price names frontbench team |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-45908487 |access-date=2024-07-01 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |date=19 October 2018 |title=Adam Price hands top jobs to leadership rivals in Plaid Cymru reshuffle |url=https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2018-10-19/adam-price-hands-top-jobs-to-leadership-rivals-in-plaid-cymru-reshuffle |work=ITV News}} He also took responsibility for the Plaid Health portfolio in February 2020.{{Cite web |last=Sinclair |first=Tom |date=2020-02-03 |title=Reshuffle and refresh for Plaid group |url=https://www.herald.wales/national-news/politics/reshuffle-and-refresh-for-plaid-group/ |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=Herald.Wales |language=en-GB}} In May 2021, he was reshuffled to just the Health and Social Care portfolio.{{Cite news |date=2021-05-21 |title=Welsh election: New Plaid Cymru Senedd members get frontbench roles |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-57188335 |access-date=2024-07-01 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} File:Rhun ap Iorwerth's office.jpg
In July 2022, he announced his candidacy to become Plaid Cymru's prospective parliamentary candidate in Ynys Môn for the 2024 United Kingdom general election.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-11 |title=Plaid Cymru Senedd Member Rhun ap Iorwerth to fight for Ynys Môn seat at Westminster General Election |url=https://nation.cymru/news/plaid-cymru-senedd-member-rhun-ap-iorwerth-to-fight-for-ynys-mon-seat-at-westminster-general-election/ |access-date=2022-07-12 |website=Nation.Cymru}} In October 2023 he was replaced as candidate by Llinos Medi.{{Cite web |last=Mansfield |first=Mark |date=2023-10-03 |title=Llinos Medi confirmed as Plaid Cymru's candidate for Ynys Môn at next general election. |url=https://nation.cymru/news/llinos-medi-confirmed-as-plaid-cyrmus-candidate-for-ynys-mon-at-next-general-election/ |access-date=2023-10-07 |website=Nation.Cymru}}
In March 2023, as Plaid Cymru's spokesperson on health and care, ap Iorwerth called for a public inquiry into Betsi Cadwaladr health board failures and repeatedly called to replace Betsi with smaller health boards.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-08 |title=Plaid Cymru calls for public enquiry into Betsi Cadwaladr failures |url=https://nation.cymru/news/plaid-cymru-calls-for-public-enquiry-into-betsi-cadwaladr-failures/ |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=Nation.Cymru}}
= Leadership of Plaid Cymru =
{{See also|Frontbench Team of Rhun ap Iorwerth}}
In May 2023, ap Iorwerth announced he was running to become leader of Plaid Cymru.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-30 |title=Rhun ap Iorwerth confirms Plaid Cymru leadership bid |url=https://nation.cymru/news/rhun-ap-iorwerth-confirms-plaid-cymru-leadership-bid/ |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=Nation.Cymru}} He was elected unopposed.{{Cite news |last=Morris |first=Steven |date=2023-06-09 |title=Rhun ap Iorwerth set to become Plaid Cymru leader unopposed|work=The Guardian|location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/jun/09/rhun-ap-iorwerth-set-plaid-cymru-leader |access-date=2023-06-09 |issn=0261-3077}}
On 17 March 2024, ap Iorwerth announced an early conclusion to the co-operation agreement between Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru, stating "I remain deeply concerned that the First Minister [
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