Long-serving Plaid Cymru MP to stand down at next general election

A long-serving Plaid Cymru MP has announced his intention to stand down at the next general election

Arfon MP Hywel Williams has made the decision having represented both the Caernarfon and Arfon seats in Westminster since 2001.

Addressing local party members at a meeting last night, Mr Williams said it had been an “honour and a privilege” to serve local people during his tenure of over two decades.

Mr Williams was first elected to parliament in 2001, taking over the Caernarfon seat from Dafydd Wigley.

He held the seat at the 2005 general election, winning the new Arfon seat in 2010 following boundary changes. He has held the seat for Plaid Cymru at six successive Westminster elections.

His party said Mr Williams was widely respected for his campaigning work on the rights of disabled and vulnerable people.

He voted against the Iraq War in 2003 and led an attempt to impeach former Prime Minister Tony Blair following claims he misled parliament on the legal case for war.

Commenting on his decision, Mr Williams said: “After much thought and discussion with my family I have decided not to offer myself as a candidate to stand again on behalf of Plaid Cymru to be a member of parliament for the Arfon constituency.

“Serving as MP for Caernarfon from 2001 onwards, following in the footsteps of Dafydd Wigley, one of the political giants of Wales, and then standing and winning the new seat of Arfon in 2010 was a huge privilege.

“It was a special honour to represent my home communities of Pwllheli and Rhoslan until the boundary change of 2010.

“I am extremely grateful for all the support I received from the very beginning from both friends and neighbours and members of the party in Dwyfor.

“Standing in Arfon, to come second according to the political insiders, was a huge challenge, and that in communities which had never had a Plaid MP before.

“But now the people of Arfon have a member of parliament and a member of our Senedd for Plaid Cymru, together with a large, talented and dedicated group of county and community councillors.

“I would like to give special thanks to my family for their support and patience over 21 years. I am much indebted to my dedicated team of parliamentary staff in Caernarfon and London, and to party staff in Caernarfon and Cardiff.

“Thank you also to my fellow members of parliament and the three who were members of the Assembly and then the Senedd during my time in office, Dafydd Wigley, Alun Ffred Jones and Sian Gwenllian.

“Finally, I sincerely thank the people of Dwyfor and Arfon for their support over the years and hope that I have fully repaid their faith in me.”

Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said: “Throughout his time in the House of Commons, Hywel Williams has been a tireless campaigner for social justice, giving voice to vulnerable and disabled people, and leading the fight against cruel Westminster welfare policies.’

“His extensive knowledge of welfare issues and background in social work has made him a formidable ally in the campaign against injustice and inequality.

“He has been a conscientious constituency MP and is held in high regard across the political spectrum.

“His experience and wisdom will be missed by the Plaid Cymru group in Westminster – but I know his much valued contribution to the party will continue. I wish him all the best for the future.”