Rhun ap Iorwerth — First Minister of Wales / Plaid Cymru Leader

Last updated: 27 May 2026 Role: First Minister of Wales (since 12 May 2026) Constituency: Bangor Conwy Mon (previously Ynys Mon 2013-2026)

Bio

Detail	Info
Full name	Rhun ap Iorwerth
Born	27 August 1972
Current office	First Minister of Wales, Leader of Plaid Cymru. Former journalist.

Background & Career

Both parents were teachers and Welsh language campaigners
BBC Cymru Wales journalist from 1994. Chief Political Correspondent 2001
Presented: Politics Show Wales, Dragon's Eye, Good Morning Wales, Newyddion
Director of 2 companies

Political Career

Won Ynys Mon by-election August 2013 (12,601 votes vs Labour 3,435)
Economy spokesperson 2014, Health shadow 2016
Ran for leader 2018 (lost to Price), became Deputy Leader
Called for Betsi Cadwaladr public inquiry
Elected Plaid leader unopposed June 2023
Ended Labour co-operation deal March 2024 over Gething donation scandal
Elected First Minister 12 May 2026 — 44 votes (42 Plaid + 2 Green). First non-Labour FM in history.

Policy Stances

Favours minority government
Supports Welsh independence
Smaller health boards
Cooperative approach
Zero-hours contracts ban (currently facing recruitment industry lobbying to water it down)

Twitter/X Discussion

Source: Nitter search, 27 May 2026

"Britain's largest umbrella body for recruitment firms has urged First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth to back moves aimed at watering down a law that bars employers from imposing zero hours contracts on their workers"
Catalan-language media positive profile covering his appearance at Urdd Eisteddfod youth festival
"I saw a great picture of Rhun ap Iorwerth in the style of the Obama 'HOPE' poster... In the interest of balance I've created one for Dan Thomas"
"Both Rhun ap Iorwerth and John Swinney are happy to cosy up to the IRA's political wing in order to advance their shared goal of separatism" (unionist criticism)
"Heddiw, yn @SeneddCymru mae'n Prif Weinidog, Rhun ap Iorwerth, wedi amlinellu prif flaenoriaethau @llywodraethcym ar gyfer y 100 diwrnod cyntaf" (outlined 100-day priorities in Senedd)

Reddit Discussion

Reddit search currently blocked by Cloudflare / Reddit bot detection. No r/Wales or r/ukpolitics data available.

Sources

GOV.WALES press release
BBC News
Wikipedia
Senedd website
Nitter (X/Twitter search, 27 May 2026)