Sioned Williams — Deputy First Minister / Social Justice & Equality

Sioned Williams — Deputy First Minister / Social Justice & Equality

Last updated: 27 May 2026 Role: Deputy First Minister of Wales & Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality (since 13 May 2026) Constituency: Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd (previously South Wales West region 2021-2026)

Bio

Bio

Background & Career

• BBC News Wales journalist
• Academi Hywel Teifi, Swansea University
• Former Plaid head of strategic communications

Political Career

• Contested Alltwen ward 2017
• Community councillor
• Chair of Governors Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Pontardawe
• Plaid spokesperson Social Justice & Early Years
• Chairs CPGs on VAW, Human Rights, Learning Disability, Consumer Rights
• Campaigned for Gleision Colliery inquiry reopening
• Elected MS 2021, reelected 2026
• Appointed Deputy First Minister 13 May 2026

Policy Stances

• Democratic socialist
• Joined Plaid because Labour in Gwent Valleys was "damaging hegemony"
• Priorities: childcare rollout, tackling child poverty
• Open border / Nation of Sanctuary supporter

Twitter/X Discussion

Source: Nitter search, 27 May 2026

• Significant criticism from unionist and Reform-aligned accounts over free childcare pledge backpedalling: "Plaid Cymru had FIVE 'main goals' in its manifesto — Rhun ap Iorwerth & his number 2 Sioned Williams have both BACKPEDDLED on TWO of those goals after less than 24 hours!"
• "Sioned Williams couldn't say how it'll be funded, admitting 'we haven't started to plan out this work'. Plaid lied."
• Some positive framing: "Plaid is putting poverty reduction and equality at the heart of government. Big promises. Big price tag. Big expectations."
• Criticised as "open-border extremist" by unionist accounts

Reddit Discussion

Reddit search currently blocked by Cloudflare / Reddit bot detection. No data available.

Sources

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