Elfyn Llwyd (born 26 September 1951) is a Welsh barrister and politician. He was the Member of Parliament for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy in the House of Commons from the 1992 general election until its abolition in 2010, and then for its principal successor constituency of Dwyfor Meirionnydd from 2010 until his retirement in 2015. Llwyd was Plaid Cymru's Westminster parliamentary group leader.

He was announced in August 2021 as the Pro-Chancellor of Aberystwyth University.

Biography

Born in Betws-y-Coed, Gwynedd, Wales, Llwyd was raised in Llanrwst and later went to University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and Chester Law College.

Llwyd worked as a solicitor and subsequently a barrister (called to the bar in 1997) before election to public office. Between 1990 and 1991 he served as President of the Gwynedd Law Society. Llwyd is married to Welsh folk singer Eleri Llwyd, and they have two children. His hobbies include pigeon breeding, reading, travelling and rugby.

Member of Parliament

Llwyd was first elected to the British Parliament at the 1992, winning the Meirionnydd Nant Conwy constituency, being re-elected in 1997, 2001, and 2005. He took the newly configured Dwyfor Meirionnydd seat at the 2010 British general election with 44.3% of the vote, but there was a 7.3% swing from Plaid Cymru to the Conservatives.

He was appointed to Her Majesty's Privy Council on 9 February 2011.

Public service

Having been elected to public office, his main political interests are home affairs, transport and agriculture.

Housing and language controversy

In September 2001, Llwyd alluded to Plaid Cymru councillor Seimon Glyn's controversial remarks about a "tidal wave" of English retirees emigrating to Wales and restrictions on second-home ownership proposed for Exmoor National Park when he observed that "it is fine for Exmoor to defend their community but in Wales when you try to say these things it is called racist". and Glyn had earlier apologised for any offence caused by the "out of context" remarks.

Llwyd argued "The language now being used in Exmoor is exactly the same issues as in Wales except that we have an added dimension in Wales of the language and the culture" and called on other parties to join in a debate to "talk about the Exmoor suggestion and see if we can now bring it into Wales" The following spring Snowdonia National Park (Welsh: Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri) and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (Welsh: Parc Cenedlaethol Arfordir Penfro) authorities followed the example set by Exmoor and began limiting second home ownership within the parks

Impeach Blair campaign

In August 2004 Llwyd joined Adam Price in a campaign to impeach then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair over the alleged misleading of the UK Parliament and for allegedly making a secret agreement with then US President George W. Bush to overthrow Saddam Hussein, amongst other charges. Llwyd and then Scottish National Party (SNP) group leader Alex Salmond co-drafted the motion.

Impeachment had not been used in the UK for one hundred and fifty years. If successful, it could have seen Blair tried before the House of Lords; however, as expected, the measure failed. led to a police investigation headed by Assistant Commissioner John Yates. The whole affair was dubbed by some in the media the Cash for Honours scandal.

2007 Welsh Assembly election spending controversy

Following the 2007 Welsh Assembly elections, a UK parliamentary standards and privileges committee found Plaid MPs Llwyd, Adam Price and Hywel Williams guilty of improperly advertising during the elections. Though the committee admitted the three did not break any clear rules of the UK House of Commons, the committee believed the timing of the adverts were planned to coincide with the Assembly elections. In January 2011, Dafydd Wigley joined Lord Elis-Thomas in the House of Lords.

In February 2024, Llwyd was controversially overlooked for a peerage in the 2024 Special Honours in favour of Carmen Smith.

Counsel General

On 13 May 2026, Llwyd was announced as Rhun ap Iorwerth's choice for Counsel General for Wales, subject to approval by the Senedd.

References

  • Elfyn Llwyd MP official constituency website
  • Elfyn Llwyd MP Plaid Cymru profile
  • Notice of Appointment to the Privy Council