So many Senedd members are previous Cardiff Uni students and staff

The Senedd Cymru is the Welsh Parliament and legislative body

4 years ago

The latest Senedd election took place on 6th May 2021 to democratically elect 60 members to the Welsh parliament. Over one-third of the elected members are closely related to Cardiff University—primarily, as part of the institution’s staff or student body.

Cardiff University said: “We’re incredibly proud of the achievements of our alumni that have recently been elected or re-elected as members of the Senedd. Of the 60 Members of the sixth Senedd, 22 have close links to Cardiff University and are either alumni, Honorary Fellows, or former staff members.”

“We look forward to working with them closely over the years ahead on matters of public policy and to ensure that our world-leading research can assist policy-makers with their decisions.”

Here’s a breakdown a few members of the Senedd, who are also Cardiff University alumni:

Mark Drakeford

Drakeford was a former Professor of Social Policy and Applied Social Sciences. He worked at Cardiff University between 2003 and 2013, and has been re-elected as First Minister.

An honour to be elected as your First Minister once again. Thank you Wales. pic.twitter.com/lR0GY5jI4d

— Mark Drakeford 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@MarkDrakeford) May 12, 2021

Vaughan Gething

Gething was appointed as Economy Minister by Mark Drakeford (the First Minister). He graduated from Cardiff in 2001 with an LLB.

Pleased to complete my first @SeneddChamber questions as @WGEconomy minister – a positive confident start from my deputy @Dawn_Bowden and the new @WGHealthandCare ministerial team – @Eluned_Morgan @lynne_neagle @JulieMorganLAB

— Vaughan Gething (@vaughangething) June 9, 2021

Baroness Eluned Morgan

Eluned graduated in 2012 with Honours from Cardiff University. She has been named Minister for Health and Social Services.

Delighted to have been appointed to this role. It is a challenging portfolio, but I look forward to working with partners in the sector to lead us through the next chapter in our NHS history. Thanks to our amazing workforce who have achieved so much in the past year. https://t.co/xzbbh38vUT

— Eluned Morgan (@Eluned_Morgan) May 13, 2021

Mick Antoniw

Mick has been appointed as both Counsel General designate and Minister for the Constitution. In 1979, he graduated from Cardiff with an LLB.

A great honour, I will give my all to representing the communities of Pontypridd constituency and now the people of Wales in my new roles in our Welsh Government https://t.co/3whfkw9eHS

— Mick Antoniw MS/AS 💙 (@MickAntoniw1) May 13, 2021

Julie Morgan

Morgan graduated with a PGDip in 1967, and has recently been appointed as Deputy Minister for Social Services.

Honoured to be asked to serve in the Welsh Government in this Sixth Senedd. https://t.co/AGVp4RQpjE

— Julie Morgan MS (@JulieMorganLAB) May 13, 2021

Elin Jones and David Rees

Elin has become the Llywydd of the Sixth Senedd (the Presiding Officer) whilst David will serve as her Deputy. They graduated in 1987 with a BSc, and in 1980 with a BSc respectively.

RESULT: Plaid Cymru holds Ceredigion, where Elin Jones' vote share goes up by 14.4% and the Lib Dems' vote share drops by 22% #SeneddElection2021 https://t.co/wwlCyCIDTe pic.twitter.com/Fag5fK5mYx

— WalesOnline (@WalesOnline) May 7, 2021

David Rees MS for Aberavon was elected by Members of the Senedd as the Deputy Presiding Officer. But what does this mean? pic.twitter.com/VgDuV9FTjb

— David Rees MS (@DavidReesMS) May 14, 2021

Sarah Murphy

Sarah is a new member of the Senedd, and represents the Welsh Labour Party. She is currently undertaking research at the Data Justice Lab at Cardiff University.

Plaid Cymru

Rhys ab Owen, Luke Fletcher, Sioned Williams and Cefin Campbell (a previous lecturer at Cardiff University) were elected for Plaid Cymru—a Welsh nationalist and social democratic political party.