Hywel Williams is a Welsh politician, currently serving as a Member of Parliament (MP) from the constituency of Arfon. Hywel is a member of Plaid Cymru – the Party of Wales political party that has center-left to left-wing ideology. One of the key agenda of Plaid Cymru is to get independence from United Kingdom. The party is part of the European Free Alliance.
Hywel Williams has been winning from Arfon since 2010 general election. The constituency of Arfon has a large geographical area and with a mostly urban profile. A significant percentage of the people in the constituency reside in Bethesda and Caernarfon and city of Bangor.
The Arfon constituency has been in existence since 1885. Its boundaries were redefined in 2010. In 2010 general election from Arfon, Hywel Williams defeated his nearest rival Alun Pugh of Labour Party by a margin of more than 1,000 votes. Vote share was at 36%. In 2015 election, Hywel vote share increased to 43.9%. This time too he defeated Alun Pugh.
2017 election was the most closely fought for Hywel during his political career. He managed to scrape through by a margin of just 92 votes. As compared to his 11,519 votes, his nearest rival Mary Clarke of Labour Party received 11,427 votes.
2019 election was much easier, as Hywel won comfortably by a margin of more than 2,500 votes. His vote share increased to highest ever of 45.2%. He had defeated Steffie Williams Roberts of Labour Party.
Early life and education
Hywel Williams was born in 1953 in Pwllheli, located in north-western Wales. He did his initial schooling at Ysgol Troed yr Allt, Pwllheli Grammar School. Later, he also attended Ysgol Glan y Môr. At University of Wales, Cardiff, he studied psychology and later attended University of Wales, Bangor, qualifying as a social worker. He started his career working as a mental health social worker.
Later, he came to Centre for Social Work Practice at the University of Wales, Bangor. In 1993, Hywel was appointed head of the Centre. Hywel quit work in 1995 and started working as a freelance lecturer, writer and consultant. He was associated with various universities and colleges during this time.
Political career
Hywel Williams started his political journey in 2001 when he was elected from Caernarfon constituency. He won again in 2005 election and also improved his vote share. In 2010, he won from Arfon . He has taken up various roles and responsibilities such as:
- Member of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee
- Member of Science and Technology Select Committee
- Member of House Works of Art Committee
- Member of Panel of Chairs
- For his party, Hywel looks into matters related to culture, international development, defense and work and pensions
Personal pursuits
Hywel Williams remains committed to welfare of people in his constituency.
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