TWO AMs from south-west Wales have been named in Leanne Wood’s new Shadow Cabinet for the Fifth Assembly. Simon Thomas (mid and west) and Adam Price (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr) will have responsibility for the Energy, Climate Change and Rural Affairs, and the Business, Economy and Finance portfolios respectively. Announcing the Shadow Cabinet, which will form the official opposition to Labour, Ms Wood said she has put in place a ‘strong team’ to secure Plaid Cymru manifesto pledges as well as scrutinise the minority Labour Government. In the remainder of the new-look team, Llyr Huws Gruffydd AM will have responsibility for Education, Children, Skills and Lifelong Learning while Rhun ap Iorwerth AM will look after Health and Social Care.
Siân Gwenllian AM will be in charge of Local Government, the Welsh Language, Equalities and Planning. The portfolio of Bethan Jenkins AM will include Housing, Poverty, Communities and a spokesperson on steel role. Neil McEvoy AM will look after Sport and Tourism. Dai Lloyd AM will be Assembly group chair and commissioner, as well as having responsibility for Culture and Infrastructure. Dafydd Elis Thomas AM will preside over the Wales Bill as well as Government Liaison and Constitution. Steffan Lewis AM will handle External Affairs, Non-Devolved Matters, Police, the Criminal Justice System and Social Protection. Leanne Wood AM said: “This is an excellent, strong team to deliver for people and communities in Wales.
I have vowed to make sure the Party of Wales becomes the most effective opposition in the history of the National Assembly for Wales. This team has the ability, drive and experience to live up to that promise. “Together we are looking forward to holding the government to account and for making the most of the opportunities that will arise over the next five years.
We have already demonstrated to the minority Government that they cannot act as if they have a majority. “We have set out our stall in the first few weeks of the fifth Assembly. Throughout the course of the next five years we will be striving as a team to lay down the building blocks that will see our nation progress. “We will not accept second best for our nation and we are more than ready to use our influence in the Siambr to deliver the transformational change that Wales has been in need of for many years. “I look forward to Assembly business starting up properly so we can get stuck in.”
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