Rhodri Glyn Thomas

Rhodri Glyn Thomas
Minister for Heritage
In office
11 July 2007 – 18 July 2008
First Minister Rhodri Morgan
Preceded by New office
Succeeded by Alun Ffred Jones
Member of the Welsh Assembly
for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
In office
6 May 1999 – 4 April 2016
Preceded by New Assembly
Succeeded by Adam Price
Majority 8,469 (28.9%)
Personal details
Born (1953-04-11) 11 April 1953
Wrexham, Wales
Political party Plaid Cymru
Alma mater University of Wales, Lampeter, Bangor University, Aberystwyth University
Religion Congregationalist

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.

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.[1]

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.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Heritage Minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas quits". walesonline.co.uk. 18 July 2008. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  2. ↑ "Cigar blunder minister quits job". bbc.co.uk. 18 July 2008. Retrieved 17 March 2013.

Offices held

National Assembly for Wales
Preceded by
(new post)		 Assembly Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
1999–2016 		Succeeded by
Adam Price
Political offices
Preceded by
(new post)		 Minister for Heritage
2007-2008
11 July 2007 to 18 July 2008 		Succeeded by
Alun Ffred Jones
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