Rhun ap Iorwerth


Rhun ap Iorwerth MS is a Welsh politician and journalist who represents Ynys Môn in the Senedd. He is a member of Plaid Cymru.

Early and personal life

Born in Tonteg, he was educated at Ysgol Rhyd-y-Main and Ysgol Gynradd Llandegfan before going to Ysgol David Hughes in Menai Bridge. He studied politics and Welsh at Cardiff University.
He is married with three children, he and his family reside on the island of Anglesey.

Career

In 1994, he joined BBC Cymru Wales, and worked as a journalist at BBC Westminster. Returning to Wales after the 1997 devolution referendum, he became BBC Wales' Chief Political Correspondent in 2001, a post he held for five years, before moving into presenting roles. He has been presenter of The Politics Show Wales, Dragon's Eye, ampm, BBC Radio Wales' Good Morning Wales, BBC Radio Cymru's Post Cyntaf breakfast news programme and weekly political discussion programme Dau o'r Bae, and the BBC's main evening news programme for S4C Newyddion. He has also been a regular correspondent for BBC Network news, featuring on all BBC News channels. Outside news, he has presented numerous series for S4C, including its coverage of the National Eisteddfod, Y Rhufeiniaid, and arts series Pethe.
In January 2012, he was announced as one of the patrons of the Cronfa Betsi Fund, the charitable arm of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

Political career

On 20 June 2013, former Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones resigned from the National Assembly for Wales seat in order to take a post leading the new Menai Science Park, triggering a by-election in the constituency.
After gaining special dispensation from the Plaid national executive committee, Rhun was accepted as a nominee, and immediately stepped down from his commitments at BBC Cymru Wales from 26 June, including Newyddion 9.
The by-election provoked a tough local debate, in which Wylfa Nuclear Power Station became a key issue. If Welsh Labour had won then they would have had a majority in the Assembly. On 1 August 2013 Rhun gained 12,601 votes, more than three times the number of votes secured by the second-placed candidate Tal Michael, on a turnout of 42.45%.