Liz Saville Roberts

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific-prefix = The Right Honourable

| name = Liz Saville Roberts

| honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MP}}

| image = Official portrait of Rt Hon Liz Saville Roberts MP crop 2.jpg

| office = Leader of Plaid Cymru in the House of Commons

| leader = {{plainlist|

}}

| predecessor = Hywel Williams

| term_start = 14 June 2017

| term_end =

| office1 = Member of Parliament
for Dwyfor Meirionnydd

| term_start1 = 7 May 2015

| term_end1 =

| predecessor1 = Elfyn Llwyd

| successor1 =

| majority1 = 15,876 (39.3%)

| office2 = Plaid Cymru Spokesperson for Home Affairs, Justice, Business and Equality

| leader2 = {{plainlist|

Leanne Wood
Adam Price}}

| term_start2 = 14 June 2017

| term_end2 =

| predecessor2 = Various

| successor2 =

| office3 = Plaid Cymru Spokesperson for Environment, Education, Health, Climate Change and Local Government

| leader3 = {{plainlist|

| term_start3 = 8 May 2015

| term_end3 = 3 May 2017

| predecessor3 = Various

| successor3 = Various

| office7 = Gwynedd County Councillor

| constituency7 = Morfa Nefyn

| leader7 =

| term_start7 = 4 May 2004

| term_end7 = 7 May 2015

| predecessor7 =

| successor7 = Sian Wyn Hughes

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|12|16|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Eltham, London, England

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = Plaid Cymru

| alma_mater = Aberystwyth University

| spouse = {{marriage|Dewi Wyn Roberts|1994}}

| children = 2

| relatives = {{indented plainlist|

Jenny Saville (cousin)}}

| residence = Morfa Nefyn, Wales

| caption = Official portrait, 2020

| birth_name = Elizabeth Saville

}}

Elizabeth Saville Roberts {{postnominals|country=GBR|PC}} ({{nee|Saville}}; born 16 December 1964){{cite journal |doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.283990|title=Saville Roberts, Elizabeth, (born 16 Dec. 1964), MP (Plaid Cymru) Dwyfor Meirionnydd, since 2015|journal=Who's Who|year=2015}} is a Welsh Plaid Cymru politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Dwyfor Meirionnydd since 2015.{{cite news |title=Dwyfor Meirionnydd |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/W07000061 |access-date=8 May 2015 |work=BBC News}} She has served as the group leader of Plaid Cymru in the House of Commons since 2017.

Early life and career

Elizabeth Saville was born on 16 December 1964 in Eltham, before moving to Aberystwyth to study languages at Aberystwyth University. She worked in Welsh-medium further education.{{cite news |last=Jamieson |first=Sophie |date=29 April 2015 |title=Female MPs: Parliament's future front bench stars |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11568431/Parliaments-future-female-front-bench-stars.html |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=8 May 2015 |url-access=subscription}}

In 2004, she became a member of Gwynedd Council for Morfa Nefyn.{{cite web |title=Liz Saville-Roberts |url=https://www.partyof.wales/liz-saville-roberts-1/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331024920/http://www.partyof.wales/liz-saville-roberts-1/ |archive-date=31 March 2015 |access-date=15 May 2015 |publisher=Plaid Cymru}} In 2008, she became the authority's cabinet member for education.{{cite news |date=4 June 2008 |title=Liz Saville Roberts is Gwynedd Council's schools leader |url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-news/liz-saville-roberts-gwynedd-councils-2828684 |access-date=6 June 2018 |newspaper=Daily Post}}

Parliamentary career

At the 2015 United Kingdom general election, Saville Roberts was elected to Parliament as MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd with 40.9% of the vote and a majority of 5,261.{{cite web |title=Election Data 2015 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017112223/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt |archive-date=17 October 2015 |access-date=17 October 2015 |publisher=Electoral Calculus}}{{cite web |title=Gwynedd Council results |url=https://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/en/Council/Voting-and-elections/Parliamentary-Elections.aspx |access-date=20 September 2015 |website=Parliamentary Election results - 7 May 2015 |publisher=Gwynedd Council}}{{cite web |date=9 April 2015 |title=Statement of Persons Nominated |url=https://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/en/Council/Documents---Council/Voting-and-elections/Statement-of-Persons-Nominated---Dwyfor-Meirionnydd-Constituency.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415211242/https://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/en/Council/Documents---Council/Voting-and-elections/Statement-of-Persons-Nominated---Dwyfor-Meirionnydd-Constituency.pdf |archive-date=15 April 2015 |access-date=15 April 2015 |publisher=Gwynedd Council}}{{cite news |title=Dwyfor Meirionnydd Parliamentary constituency |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/W07000061#election2015-logo |access-date=29 March 2020 |website=Election 2015 Results |publisher=BBC}} She stood down as a councillor following the result,{{cite web |url=https://diogel.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/CanlyniadauEtholiadau/en/Etholiad/10 |title=Morfa Nefyn By-election: 9 July 2015 |publisher=Gwynedd Council |access-date=6 June 2018}} becoming Plaid's spokesperson for Home Affairs, Education, Health, Environment, Energy, Equalities and Local Government.{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/liz-saville-roberts/4521|title=Liz Saville Roberts MP|website=UK Parliament}} In her maiden speech to Parliament, she emphasised her and Plaid Cymru's commitment to public education, and highlighted issues facing rural Wales.{{cite news |last=Cornock |first=David |date=23 June 2015 |title=New MP's rural economy warning |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-33237810 |work=BBC News |access-date=25 April 2018}}

In March 2016, Saville Roberts introduced a bill to the House of Commons which tackled online bullying and cyber crime.{{cite news |last=Laville |first=Sandra |date=4 March 2016 |title=Online abuse: 'existing laws too fragmented and don't serve victims' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/mar/04/online-abuse-existing-laws-too-fragmented-and-dont-serve-victims-says-police-chief |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=25 April 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-35753317 |title=Bill targets online abuse and crime |date=9 March 2016 |work=BBC News |access-date=25 April 2018}}

In February 2017, Saville Roberts argued in favour of introducing a US-style rape shield law to prevent cross-examination of rape victims' sexual history in courtrooms, and tabled a private members bill on the matter. The government launched an emergency review in response.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-38945398|title=MP hopes review will help rape victims|date=2017-02-12|work=BBC News|access-date=2018-06-26|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/feb/08/mp-proposes-uk-shield-law-to-protect-victims-in-court|title=MP proposes UK rape shield law to protect victims in court|last=Travis|first=Alan|date=2017-02-08|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-06-26}}

At the snap 2017 general election, Saville Roberts was re-elected as MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd with an increased vote share of 45.1% and a decreased majority of 4,850.{{cite web |title=General Election 2017: The Dwyfor Meirionnydd candidates |url=http://www.cambrian-news.co.uk/article.cfm?id=114399&headline=General%20Election%202017:%20The%20Dwyfor%20Meirionnydd%20candidates§ionIs=news&searchyear=2017 |access-date=16 May 2017}}{{cite news |title=Dwyfor Meirionnydd Parliamentary constituency |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/W07000061#election2017-logo |access-date=30 March 2020 |website=Election 2017 Results |publisher=BBC}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/W07000061 |title=Dwyfor Meirionnydd parliamentary constituency – Election 2017 |work=BBC News |access-date=23 April 2018}} Following the election, she became the leader of Plaid's Westminster group and party spokesperson for Home Affairs, Justice, Business, Energy, Industrial Strategy, Women and Equalities.{{Cite web |url=http://www2.partyof.wales/westminster_spokespeople |title=Plaid Cymru announces Westminster spokespeople |publisher=Plaid Cymru |date=23 June 2017 |access-date=23 June 2017}}

In November 2017, she led calls for a system of electronic tagging to be implemented for domestic abusers and stalkers which would allow their victims to be alerted if they were near by.{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/stalkers-domestic-abusers-gps-trackers-restraining-orders-victims-plaid-cymru-campaigners-government-a8313621.html |title=Convicted stalkers and domestic abusers should be forced to wear GPS trackers, campaigners say |last=Buchan |first=Lizzy |date=20 April 2018 |newspaper=The Independent |access-date=23 April 2018}}{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Martin |date=23 April 2018 |title=Calls for stalkers and domestic abusers to be fitted with electronic tags to alert victims |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/22/calls-stalkers-domestic-abusers-fitted-electronic-tags-alert/ |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=23 April 2018}}

In April 2018, Saville Roberts opposed UK involvement in the 2018 bombing of Damascus and Homs, which she described as a "tokenistic action" that would do "little to allay the human suffering on the ground in Syria nor to bring stability to the region." She also criticised Prime Minister Theresa May for not having given Parliament a vote on the air strikes before proceeding.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-43765970 |title=Long-term plan call after Syria strikes |date=14 April 2018 |work=BBC News |access-date=23 April 2018}}{{cite news |last=Williamson |first=David |date=17 April 2018 |title=What is the evidence Assad used chemical weapons – and what did we bomb? |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/what-evidence-assad-used-chemical-14539262 |website=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |access-date=23 April 2018}} In October 2018 she spoke in Irish in the House of Commons as she called on Northern Ireland Secretary of State Karen Bradley to implement an Irish Language Act. She is believed to be the first person to speak Irish in the House of Commons since February 1901.{{cite web |last=McDermott |first=Stephen |date=24 October 2018 |title=British MP uses Irish language |url=http://www.thejournal.ie/irish-language-british-parliament-2018-4303787-Oct2018 |access-date=24 October 2018 |work=TheJournal.ie}}

On 7 March 2019, Saville Roberts was sworn in as a member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/privy-council-appointment-7-march-2019|title=Privy Council appointment: 7 March 2019|website=GOV.UK}} She is a member of the Joint Committee on the Draft Domestic Abuse Bill.{{Cite web|url=https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/opinion/dods-people/102400/new-appointments-week-uk-politics-civil-service|title=New appointments this week in UK politics, the civil service and public affairs|date=11 March 2019|website=PoliticsHome|access-date=14 March 2019}}

On 14 March 2019, Saville Roberts voted for an amendment tabled by members of The Independent Group for a second public vote on EU membership.{{cite web |last1=Mosalski |first1=Ruth |title=Brexit latest: The Welsh MPs who voted for a second referendum |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-latest-welsh-mps-who-15976568 |website=Wales Online|date=14 March 2019 }}

At the 2019 general election, Saville Roberts was again re-elected with an increased vote share of 48.3% and a decreased majority of 4,740.{{Cite web |date=14 November 2019 |title=Statement of Persons Nominated |url=https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/en/Council/Documents---Council/Voting-and-elections/12-December-2019-Election/Datganiad-am-y-Personau-a-Enwebwyd-Dwyfor-Meirionnydd.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114231756/https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/en/Council/Documents---Council/Voting-and-elections/12-December-2019-Election/Datganiad-am-y-Personau-a-Enwebwyd-Dwyfor-Meirionnydd.pdf |archive-date=14 November 2019 |access-date=14 November 2019 |website=Cyngor Gwynedd Council}}{{Cite news |title=Dwyfor Meirionnydd parliamentary constituency - Election 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/constituencies/W07000061 |access-date=2019-12-17 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Brenann |first=Shane |date=13 December 2019 |title=Plaid Cymru's Liz Saville-Roberts holds Dwyfor Meirionnydd |url=https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/18099934.plaid-cymrus-liz-saville-roberts-sweeps-away-tory-labour-challenge/ |access-date=2019-12-14 |website=Denbighshire Free Press |language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/general-election-winning-dwyfor-meirionnydd-17398588|title=General Election 2019 result for Dwyfor Meirionnydd|last=Mosalski|first=Ruth|date=2019-12-13|website=WalesOnline|access-date=2019-12-14}}

On 17 March 2021, Saville Roberts again spoke in Irish, this time to wish Irish people a happy Saint Patrick's Day. She also gave the message in Welsh, for which the Speaker Lindsay Hoyle told her off and stated that speaking Welsh was against parliamentary rules. Saville Roberts claimed afterwards that the incident displayed "Westminster's disdain for minority languages".{{Cite web|last=Shaw|first=Amelia|date=2021-03-17|title=MP told off for wishing Commons a 'Happy St Patrick's Day' in Welsh and Irish|url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-mp-told-wishing-20196656|access-date=2021-03-20|website=North Wales Live|language=en}} Leader of the House, Jacob Rees-Mogg later referenced the incident and called Welsh "a foreign language". In response, Saville Roberts tweeted: "Jacob Rees-Mogg may not be aware, but Welsh is not a 'foreign language'. It had been spoken in Britain for hundreds of years before English even existed."{{Cite web|last1=Hudspith|first1=Jaymelouise|last2=Stephens|first2=Lydia|date=2021-03-19|title=MP hits back at Jacob Rees-Mogg for calling Welsh a 'foreign language'|url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-mp-hits-back-20211147|access-date=2021-03-20|website=North Wales Live|language=en}}

She has called for an independent Wales to rejoin the European Union and the European single market.{{cite web|url=https://euobserver.com/opinion/156680|title=Wales' message to Europe: 'We'll be back'|last=Saville Roberts|first=Liz|date=7 February 2023|website=EUobserver}}

At the 2024 general election, Saville Roberts was again re-elected, with an increased vote share of 53.9% and an increased majority of 15,876.{{Cite news |title=Dwyfor Meirionnydd - General election results 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/W07000096 |access-date=2024-07-05 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

Saville Roberts supported Kim Leadbeater's bill introducing assisted suicide into law and served on the committee examining the legislation.{{cite web |title=Who are the MPs who will scrutinise the assisted dying bill? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3e34gvzlv0o |website=BBC |date=11 December 2024}}

Personal life

Saville Roberts has lived in the village of Morfa Nefyn in Gwynedd with her husband, Dewi Wyn Roberts, since 1993. They married in 1994 and have twin daughters.{{Cite web|last=Bodden|first=Tom|date=2013-12-16|title=Liz Saville Roberts chosen as Plaid Cymru's candidate for Dwyfor Meirionnydd|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/liz-saville-roberts-chosen-plaid-6409598|access-date=2021-03-21|website=North Wales Live|language=en}} Her mother, Nancy Saville, was a scientist who was diagnosed with dementia in 2021{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-59951073|title=Covid: MP calls for law change for dementia patients|last=Barker|first=Miriam|work=BBC News |date=11 January 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://funeral-notices.co.uk/notice/SAVILLE/5012824|title=Click here to view the tribute page for Dr Nancy Margery SAVILLE|date=29 January 2022|work=Funeral Notices|language=Welsh}} Saville Roberts has written openly about it, and the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on people with the condition.{{cite web|date=9 January 2022|title=Pandemic policy deprives my mother of both family love and her human rights|last=Saville Roberts|first=Liz|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jan/09/pandemic-policy-robbed-my-mother-both-of-family-love-and-human-rights|access-date=9 January 2022|work=The Guardian|language=en}}

She is a cousin of the contemporary British artist Jenny Saville.{{cite web|url=https://www.stylist.co.uk/life/the-women-only-exhibit-you-must-see-champagne-life-saatchi-gallery/63157|title=The women-only exhibit you must see|author=Stylist Team|date=11 January 2016|work=Stylist}}