Nerys Evans
Nerys Evans | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Official portrait, 2026 | |
| Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health | |
| Assumed office 13 May 2026 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Member of the Senedd[a] | |
| Assumed office 8 May 2026 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Constituency | Sir Gaerfyrddin |
| In office 3 May 2007 – 5 May 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Multi-member constituency |
| Succeeded by | Multi-member constituency |
| Constituency | Mid and West Wales |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Elizabeth Gwendoline Nerys Evans 1980 (age 45–46) Llangain, Wales |
| Party | Plaid Cymru |
| Education | University of Manchester, Cardiff University |
Elizabeth Gwendoline Nerys Evans (born 1980) is a Welsh Plaid Cymru politician. She has been the Member of the Senedd (MS) for Sir Gaerfyrddin[1] and Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health[2] since 2026. She was previously a member of the National Assembly for Wales representing the Mid and West Wales region from 2007 to 2011.
Background
Evans was born in Llangain near Carmarthen. She was educated at Bro Myrddin Welsh Comprehensive School, and Manchester University where she obtained a BA in Government and Political Theory, followed by Cardiff University where she was awarded a MSc in Welsh Politics in 2004.
Political career
She became an organiser for Plaid Cymru in Carmarthen East and Dinefwr and worked as press officer for the Plaid Cymru group on Carmarthenshire County Council. More recently she worked as a Political Officer for Plaid Cymru in the National Assembly for Wales in Cardiff.
In 2006, Evans was chosen to head the Plaid Cymru list in Mid and West Wales for the 2007 Assembly election, replacing the previous list leader Helen Mary Jones, who moved to the Llanelli constituency. She was elected.[3]
Her political interests include rural affairs, voter apathy and workers' rights. She was Plaid Cymru's Education Spokesperson from 2009 – 2011. She was chair of the Assembly Cross Party group for Broadband in rural Wales, she sat on the Assembly's Enterprise and Learning committee and is a former chair of the Broadcasting Sub Committee. In 2008 Evans won the annual ITV Wales Campaigner of The Year award for her campaigning work on domestic abuse issues.
Evans was the Director of Policy for Plaid Cymru and authored their 2011 Assembly Manifesto.[4]
In 2011 she was appointed as an Education commissioner in Blaenau Gwent County Council by the Welsh Government[4]
Evans contested the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire seat for the 2011 National Assembly for Wales elections, finishing in third place,[5] and thus lost her seat in the Assembly.[6]
In 2012, Evans co-founded the Deryn Public Affairs Agency, alongside Cathy Owens, a former Welsh Labour Government special adviser.[4]
In December 2022 Evans was chosen by Adam Price to write a report on the allegations of bullying and sexual harassment within Plaid Cymru. Prosiect Pawb report was published in May 2023 concluding that there was "a culture of harassment, bullying and misogyny" within the party, this led to Adam Price stepping down as leader on 10 May.[7][8]
In the 2026 Senedd election, Evans was elected as a MS, representing the Sir Gaerfyrddin Senedd constituency.[9] On 13 May 2026, First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth announced his first ministerial team, appointing Evans as Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health.[2]
References
- ↑ "Senedd Elections 2026 - Carmarthenshire County Council". www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
- 1 2 Rhun ap Iorwerth (13 May 2026). "Written Statement: First Minister announces Ministerial team". Welsh Government. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
- ↑ "National Assembly for Wales Elections (Regional) 2007 - Thursday, 3 May 2007". Senedd. 3 May 2007. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- 1 2 3 "About - Deryn - Public Affairs Agency". www.deryn.co.uk. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
- ↑ "BBC News - Election 2011 - Wales - Carmarthen West & Pembrokeshire South". BBC News.
- ↑ "Labour win Assembly election - but not by enough". WalesOnline. 6 May 2011.
- ↑ "Plaid Cymru hold talks on bullying report". BBC News. 9 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
- ↑ "Adam Price to quit as Plaid Cymru leader". Nation.Cymru. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
- ↑ "Cyn-arweinydd Plaid Cymru yn wynebu her am sedd yn y Senedd". BBC Cymru Fyw (in Welsh). 23 March 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
External links
- Biography on Plaid Cymru site Archived 25 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- Plaid Cymru website
Notes
- ↑ Stylized as "Member of the Welsh Assembly" from 2007 to 2011
