Christine Gwyther

Gwyther was born in Pembroke Dock. She attended University College Cardiff, before briefly moving to London for work. She then moved back to West Wales. Before entering politics, she worked as a Pembrokeshire County Council Development Officer.{{cite web |last=Gibbs |first=Geoffrey |date=2000-07-25 |title=Timing of sacking raises assembly questions |url=http://politics.guardian.co.uk/wales/story/0,,443807,00.html |work=guardian.co.uk |publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited}}{{Cite news |last=Parry |first=Nick |date=1999-01-12 |title=Mayor missed out on election |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-wales-evening-post-mayor-misses-ou/160084742/ |access-date=2024-12-01 |work=South Wales Evening Post |pages=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}

Gwyther was election agent for Nick Ainger MP in 1997.

Gwyther was selected as the Welsh Labour candidate to contest the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire constituency at the 1999 Welsh assembly election, the first elections to the assembly. She was elected with a majority of 1,492 votes.{{Cite web |title=BBC News {{!}} Elections {{!}} Wales 99 {{!}} Constituencies {{!}} Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/vote_99/wales_99/html/constituency/13.stm |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=news.bbc.co.uk}} She was re-elected in 2003, with a reduced majority of 515 votes.{{Cite web |title=BBC NEWS {{!}} VOTE 2003 {{!}} Carmarthen West & Pembrokeshire South |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/vote2003/welsh_assembly/html/129.stm |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=news.bbc.co.uk}} In 2007 she lost the seat to Angela Burns of the Welsh Conservatives by just 98 votes.{{Cite web |title=BBC NEWS {{!}} Election 2007 {{!}} Welsh Assembly {{!}} Election Result: Carmarthen W & Pembrokeshire S |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/vote2007/welshasssembly_english/html/813.stm |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=news.bbc.co.uk}} She contested the constituency again in 2011, but was not elected.{{Cite web |title=BBC News - Election 2011 - Wales - Carmarthen West & Pembrokeshire South |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/election2011/constituency/html/26677.stm |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

Gwyther was appointed Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development by First Minister Alun Michael on 12 May 1999.{{Cite news |last=Gibbs |first=Geoffrey |date=1999-05-13 |title=Davies is snubbed by Labour |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/1999/may/13/wales.devolution |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508004856/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/1999/may/13/wales.devolution |archive-date=2014-05-08 |access-date=2024-09-03 |work=The Guardian}}{{cite news |title=First Assembly |url=https://www.assembly.wales/en/bus-home/research/bus-assembly-publications-monitoring-services/Pages/key-events-first-assembly.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201115226/https://www.assembly.wales/en/bus-home/research/bus-assembly-publications-monitoring-services/Pages/key-events-first-assembly.aspx |archive-date=1 February 2020 |access-date=13 December 2018 |publisher=National Assembly for Wales}} She is a vegetarian and as a result her appointment was criticised by some farmers and opposition parties.{{cite news |last1=Marks |first1=Kathy |date=14 May 1999 |title=Vegetarian is farming chief |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/vegetarian-is-farming-chief-1093611.html |access-date=4 March 2024 |publisher=Independent}}{{cite news |title=15 September 1999: No confidence motion |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/historic_moments/newsid_8200000/8200447.stm |access-date=4 March 2024 |agency=BBC News |date=15 September 1999}} The Welsh Conservatives and the Farmers' Union of Wales both called for her resignation within 12 days of her appointment, while the National Farmers' Union urged that she should be given a chance to be judged on her performance in the role.{{Cite news |last=Berry |first=Brendan |date=1999-05-14 |title=Vegetarian's appointment angers welsh farmers |url=https://advance.lexis.com/api/permalink/66373696-ea2d-4ec1-9e26-e0bdbffda876/?context=1519360&federationidp=M9JDTX59593 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-12-01 |work=Press Association |via=Nexis}}{{Cite news |date=1999-05-24 |title=Gwyther should be given chance |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-wales-evening-post-gwyther-should/160084810/ |access-date=2024-12-01 |work=South Wales Evening Post |pages=3 |via=Newspapers.com}} Allies of Gwyther, as well as presiding officer Dafydd Elis-Thomas, argued that misogyny played a strong role in her treatment.{{Cite news |last=Waugh |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Waugh |date=2000-07-25 |title=Morgan under fire for 'victimising' Gwyther |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/morgan-under-fire-for-victimising-gwyther-707256.html |work=The Independent |pages=8}}{{Cite news |date=1999-10-20 |title=Gwyther 'suffered assembly sexism' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/478895.stm |access-date=2024-09-03 |work=BBC News}} Gwyther faced three censure motions during her 14-month tenure, one of which passed.

She introduced organic, dairy, red meat and diversification support, as well as a sustainable development scheme for Wales, and helped to facilitate deals for the sale of Welsh beef, after the ban on British beef was lifted in August 1999.{{Cite news |last=Willman |first=John |date=2000-01-12 |title=Welsh beef wins post-ban export deal |url=https://advance.lexis.com/api/permalink/2866b93d-89cf-49a8-9102-3d9efd093cc0/?context=1519360&federationidp=M9JDTX59593 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-12-01 |work=Financial Times |via=Nexis}}

In September 1999, in collaboration with Scottish Agriculture Secretary at the time Ross Finnie, Gwyther obtained £20m of financial support for Welsh sheep farmers from Westminster Agriculture Minister Nick Brown, after significant reductions in the price of ewes lead to challenges for farmers.{{Cite news |last=Elliott |first=Valerie |date=1999-09-09 |title=Brown on collision course over more aid for farmers |url=https://advance.lexis.com/api/permalink/8579f16f-4aec-43cc-9361-7a6c6478d47b/?context=1519360&federationidp=M9JDTX59593 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-12-01 |work=The Times |via=Nexis}}{{Cite news |last=Elliott |first=Valerie |date=1999-09-21 |title=Pounds 150m aid fails to pacify farmers |url=https://advance.lexis.com/api/permalink/ccf51dbc-b7a5-4838-afe7-58ce3e81b49d/?context=1519360&federationidp=M9JDTX59593 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-12-01 |work=The Times |via=Nexis}}{{Cite news |last=McCarthy |first=Michael |date=1999-09-20 |title=Farmers get emergency aid package of pounds 150m |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/farmers-get-emergency-aid-package-of-pounds-150m-1120760.html |access-date=2024-09-03 |work=The Independent}} However, a similar scheme for the culling of calves failed, after it was not approved by the European Union's Agriculture Commissioner, Franz Fischler, who stated the scheme must apply to the whole United Kingdom.{{Cite news |last=Walters |first=Brian |date=1999-09-17 |title=40,000 calves to be slaughtered |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-wales-evening-post-40000-calves-t/160084635/ |access-date=2024-12-01 |work=South Wales Evening Post |pages=10 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |last=Walters |first=Brian |date=1999-10-07 |title=Calf policy given Euro snub |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-wales-evening-post-calf-policy-giv/160084576/ |access-date=2024-12-01 |work=South Wales Evening Post |pages=5 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |last=Gibbs |first=Geoffrey |date=1999-10-18 |title=Welsh minister faces farms crisis censure |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/1999/oct/19/wales.devolution |access-date=2024-09-03 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} Gwyther later alleged she had privately been given the green light for the scheme by Fischler, who then changed his mind.{{Cite news |date=2000-07-27 |title=Gwyther offered to resign twice |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/854382.stm |access-date=2024-09-03 |work=BBC News}} A censure motion was passed in the Assembly over the scheme not being secured, but Gwyther retained the support of Welsh Labour and of the Cabinet, and did not resign.{{Cite news |last=Walters |first=Brian |date=1999-10-12 |title=Labour cabinet backs Gwyther |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-wales-evening-post-labour-cabinet/160084516/ |access-date=2024-12-01 |work=South Wales Evening post |pages=5 |via=Newspapers.com}} A motion of no confidence in the Welsh Assembly Government and First Secretary Alun Michael was put forward by the Welsh Conservatives in response to her not resigning, which failed due to abstention from Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats.{{Cite news |last=Gibbs |first=Geoffrey |date=1999-11-03 |title=Warning for Labour after assembly confidence vote |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/1999/nov/03/wales.devolution |access-date=2024-09-03 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} Presiding Officer Dafydd Elis-Thomas later said he thought there was an "element of sexism in relation to the agriculture secretary" during the debate on the motion.

Gwyther also initially led the Welsh Government's opposition to efforts from the UK government to introduce GMO crops, and was known to personally oppose their introduction in Wales.{{Cite news |last=Abrams |first=Fran |date=2000-03-13 |title=Wales set to throw GM policy into chaos |url=https://advance.lexis.com/api/permalink/d9e8ec81-1cf3-4275-9c2e-45c4f9edab75/?context=1519360&federationidp=M9JDTX59593 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-12-01 |work=The Independent |pages=5 |via=Nexis}}{{Cite news |last=Gibbs |first=Geoffrey |date=2000-03-29 |title=Fury at Welsh minister's GM 'cave- in' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2000/mar/30/gm.food |access-date=2024-09-03 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} Their introduction required support from all devolved governments. On 29 March 2000, the Assembly Agriculture and Rural Affairs committee recommended that she block the use of GMOs. Hours later, Gwyther gave support for the use of the GMOs, saying it was the only "reasonable, legal way forward". A censure motion was proposed against Gwyther for "for her failure to address the concerns of the National Assembly for Wales, by failing to secure a GM free environment". The censure motion failed, 26 votes to 20.{{Cite news |date=2000-05-17 |title=Gwyther censure vote is lost |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/751866.stm |access-date=2024-09-03 |work=BBC News}} It was later revealed that their usage was forced, with Gwyther not being told the trial was going to take place until the day the seeds were planted,{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Amanda |date=2000-05-26 |title=Demands grow for minister's resignation in GM crops crisis |url=https://advance.lexis.com/api/permalink/488c46a3-5b0c-4299-8c4e-ae785a499919/?context=1519360&federationidp=M9JDTX59593 |url-access=subscription |work=Press Association |via=Nexis}} and that the seeds had already been accidentally sold and planted earlier in the year across the UK.{{Cite news |date=2000-05-19 |title=Gwyther stands by Whitehall attack |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/752770.stm |access-date=2024-09-03 |work=BBC News}} In July 2000, GM crops were banned in Wales, after an earlier assembly motion banning them was found to be lawful.{{Cite news |date=2000-07-04 |title=U-turn jibe in row on crops |url=https://advance.lexis.com/api/permalink/a435f32c-9788-4e79-ab10-af1309a41184/?context=1519360&federationidp=M9JDTX59593 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-12-01 |work=South Wales Evening Post |pages=8 |via=Nexis}}{{Cite news |date=2000-07-06 |title=GM move praised |url=https://advance.lexis.com/api/permalink/b692e236-4f63-4d47-af98-c4435f408615/?context=1519360&federationidp=M9JDTX59593 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-12-01 |work=South Wales Evening Post |pages=8 |via=Nexis}}

After Alun Michael resigned as First Minister, Gwyther was initially retained in the cabinet. On 25 July 2000, on the eve of the Royal Welsh Show, she was dismissed from her post by First Minister, Rhodri Morgan, and replaced by Carwyn Jones. Morgan was criticised for this decision. Labour AM Lorraine Barrett said of Gwyther that "Farmers have been very unfair to Christine. I think the fact that she was a woman and a vegetarian to boot, they just couldn't handle it. I think they're much happier now with a meat-eating male." Gwyther later revealed on BBC Wales 2 that she had offered to resign twice, and that Morgan had not accepted.

Gwyther was elected chair of the Economic Development and Transport committee in May 2001, after Val Feld stood down from the role due to illness.{{Cite news |last=Betts |first=Clive |date=2001-05-02 |title=Sickness forces Val Feld to step down |url=https://advance.lexis.com/api/permalink/97c8911b-1ddb-4a1e-9586-0146ed7da1ea/?context=1519360&federationidp=M9JDTX59593 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-12-01 |work=Western Mail |pages=8 |via=Nexis}} She retained the role in the Second Assembly.{{Cite web |title=Second Assembly 2003-2007 |url=https://www.assembly.wales/en/bus-home/research/bus-assembly-publications-monitoring-services/Pages/key-events-second-assembly.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201115233/https://www.assembly.wales/en/bus-home/research/bus-assembly-publications-monitoring-services/Pages/key-events-second-assembly.aspx |archive-date=2020-02-01 |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=assembly.wales}} She was also founder member of the National Assembly Sustainable Energy Group, and founded the assembly's Women and Democracy Group.{{Cite news |last=Shipton |first=Martin |date=2004-04-29 |title='Foreign Junket' AM group hits back |work=Western Mail |pages=6}}

During her time as a backbencher, Gwyther supported a campaign to ban hunting with dogs,{{Cite news |date=2002-02-26 |title=Members oppose hunting |url=https://advance.lexis.com/api/permalink/b7fee9e2-b51f-456f-95b5-26263b7a37f0/?context=1519360&federationidp=M9JDTX59593 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-12-01 |work=Western Mail |pages=7 |via=Nexis}} opposed the moving of healthcare facilities from Swansea to Cardiff,{{Cite news |last=Turner |first=Robin |date=2002-06-26 |title=Neurological services switch opposed; Health: Politicians united against movement of paediatric treatment to capital |work=Western Mail |pages=5}}{{Cite news |date=2002-10-02 |title=West case is argued in writing |work=South Wales Evening Post |pages=10}} and supported efforts to allow people with terminal illnesses to die at home.{{Cite news |last=Flynn |first=Jessica |date=2006-12-02 |title=Call to back a choice to die |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/call-back-choice-die-2292750 |access-date=2024-09-03 |work=South Wales Echo |pages=7}}

She lost her seat at the 2007 Welsh Assembly election to the Welsh Conservatives' Angela Burns, after a recount confirmed she had lost by 92 votes.

After losing her seat, she worked for Labour Mid and West Wales AM Alun Davies, who had been elected on the regional list due to her failing to retain her own seat.{{Cite web |last= |date=2009-01-08 |title=Ex-minister Gwyther working as an AM’s assistant |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/ex-minister-gwyther-working-ams-assistant-2127787 |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=Wales Online |language=en}}

In December 2009, Gwyther was selected to contest the Carmarthen East and Dinefwr constituency for election to the UK Parliament at the 2010 general election.{{Cite news |date=2009-12-09 |title=Christine Gwyther is Labour's choice |url=https://advance.lexis.com/api/permalink/e6c84c46-7177-4e71-8654-aa8ba679ebb7/?context=1519360&federationidp=M9JDTX59593 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-12-01 |work=South Wales Guardian |via=Nexis}}{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Ian |date=2009-12-16 |title=Ex-minister joins line-up for next election contest |work=Carmarthen Journal |pages=24}} She came second, with 26.5% of the vote, 9.2% behind winner Jonathan Edwards.{{Cite web |title=BBC News {{!}} Election 2010 {{!}} Constituency {{!}} Carmarthen East & Dinefwr |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/election2010/results/constituency/w27.stm |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=news.bbc.co.uk}} In October 2010 she was selected to once again contest the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire constituency at the 2011 Welsh Assembly election,{{Cite news |date=2010-10-04 |title=Assembly hopefuls chosen |work=South Wales Evening Post |pages=2}}{{Cite news |last=Williamson |first=David |date=2010-10-05 |title=Sacked former minister Gwyther to attempt a political comeback |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/sacked-former-minister-gwyther-attempt-1889421 |access-date=2024-09-03 |work=Western Mail |pages=10}} while simultaneously campaigning for the Yes vote in the 2011 Welsh devolution referendum.{{Cite news |last=Price |first=David Connop |date=2011-02-23 |title=Leader steps out to boost Yes campaign |work=South Wales Evening Post |pages=28}} Gwyther came second, 1,504 votes behind Angela Burns.

She was one of two candidates to be nominated for the 2012 Police and Crime Commissioner elections for the Dyfed–Powys Police region,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-19999556|title=Police and Crime Commissioner nominations deadline passes|date=19 October 2012|via=www.bbc.co.uk}} losing to the Conservative Christopher Salmon.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-20339873|title=Police commissioner: Dyfed-Powys elects Conservative Christopher Salmon|date=16 November 2012|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070108135753/http://www.wales.gov.uk/who/members-biog5-e.htm Assembly Bio]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20061230160738/http://www.welshlabour.org.uk/index.php?id=118 Welsh Labour Bio]

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{{succession box

| title = Assembly Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire

| years = 1999 – 2007

| before=(new post)

| after=Angela Burns

}}

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{{succession box

| title = Minister for Agriculture and Rural Economy

| years= 1999 – 2000

| before= (new post)

| after= Carwyn Jones

}}

{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gwyther, Christine}}

Category:1959 births

Category:Living people

Category:Wales AMs 1999–2003

Category:Wales AMs 2003–2007

Category:Welsh Labour members of the Senedd

Category:Members of the Welsh Government

Category:People from Pembroke Dock

Category:Alumni of Cardiff University