# 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)

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## Bio

## Bio

| Detail | Info |
|--------|------|
| **Full name** | Sioned Williams |
| **Born** | 14 August 1971 |
| **Current office** | Deputy First Minister of Wales, Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality |

## Background & Career

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

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## 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

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## 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

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## 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

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## Reddit Discussion

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

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## Sources

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