WITH the Senedd Elections on May 7 just days away we continue to highlight the record number of candidates competing for your vote under the new proportional representation system.
The new Clwyd constituency – which covers parts of Flintshire, Wrexham Conwy and Denbighshire – will have six Members of the Senedd selected, based on the proportion of the vote their party receives.
Parties have been listed in alphabetical order and candidates are listed in the order they will be selected if successful.
Here is a list of every candidate in the running in Clwyd.
All parties were given equal opportunity to provide images and candidate details.
Conservative
- Darren Millar
First elected to the Welsh Parliament in May 2007, Darren was brought up in Towyn and now lives in Kinmel Bay with his family. A committed Christian, avid reader and amateur astronomer, before becoming an MS, he was a manager for an international charity.
- Gareth Davies
Gareth was elected as MS for the Vale of Clwyd in 2021. Before this he worked in the Welsh NHS and served as a Denbighshire County Councillor. St Asaph born, he has lived in Rhyl and now resides in Prestatyn with his wife and son.
- Gareth Idris Ffowcs Williams
Gareth Idris Ffowcs Williams’ background is shaped by sport, business and engagement. A keen advocate for grassroots initiatives, Gareth combines entrepreneurial experience with a commitment to public service. He is focused on strengthening local communities, supporting economic growth and delivering practical solutions for North Wales.
- Justine Evans
Justine Evans is a Welsh Conservative councillor for Rhyl East on Denbighshire County Council. Justine’s public service is rooted in Rhyl and focused on standing up for residents, strengthening local accountability and ensuring communities across Denbighshire have a clear voice in local and Welsh politics.
- Sylvia Clough-Hughes
Sylvia is the fifth-ranked Conservative candidate in the Clwyd list.
- Damon Richards-Gwilliam
Damon is the sixth-ranked Conservative candidate in the Clwyd list.
- Mike Gebreyohanes
Mike is the seventh-ranked Conservative candidate in the Clwyd list.
Green Party
- Martyn Hogg
Martyn has been a Denbighshire County Councillor since 2022. An engineer, he believes everyone deserves equal opportunities and politics should be guided by sustainability, fairness and social justice. He says clean energy, affordable housing and thriving local economies go hand in hand with climate action.
- Carly Murdoch-Dyson
A Holywell resident, Carly grew up in Llysfaen ad Colwyn Bay. A Senior Enterprise Architect in banking, she makes complex systems understandable and ensures ideas work in the real world. She believes people’s ability to succeed should be based on their talent, not their postcode.
- Lucy Sutton
Former Team GB kayak racer Lucy is now a physiotherapist and is interested in tackling the causes of health inequality. She believes that only by tackling poor air, dirty rivers, poverty and pollution can Wales build a healthier and more well population.
- Karl Macnaughton
Karl is a former IT professional and Environmental Science graduate. Between 2011 and 2023 he was a Green Party Councillor in Solihull. He enjoys walking, cycling, running and reading.
- David Blainey
David is the fifth-ranked Green Party candidate in the Clwyd list.
- Cheryl Buxton-Sait
An NHS professional and former Green Party Councillor in Solihull, Cheryl is also a Trade Union branch secretary and representative who champions workers’ rights. Passionate about the great outdoors and access to green spaces, Cheryl is an environmentalist with an interest in waste reduction.
Heritage Party
- Rob Redhead
Born in Llandudno, Rob was educated at John Bright School. A former distribution and transport professional and housing association board member, he is a community councillor. He opposes Digital ID, a central bank for digital currency and a ban on social media for under 18’s.
Welsh Labour
- Hannah Blythyn
Hannah Blythyn was first elected to the Senedd in 2016. A committed trade unionist, Hannah has led campaigns including action on blacklisting and protection for rural workers in Wales. She’s a former co-chair of LGBT Labour and was active in the campaign for equal marriage.
- Carolyn Thomas
Elected in 2021, former postwoman Carolyn was Deputy Leader of Flintshire County Council before entering the Senedd. She has campaigned for improved public bus transport, investment in highways funding, the music service, investment in children’s play areas, early years funding and for the natural environment.
- Crispin Jones
Crispin Jones’ career before politics was in energy efficiency, renewable technology and the fuel poverty sector. He has advised Welsh Ministers on Fuel Poverty and established the first Home Energy Efficiency Scheme Advisory Group. He is currently Head of Office for Gill German MP.
- Ellen Jones
Ellen Jones grew up in Flintshire and now raises her family there. Her passion for social justice was shaped by her experience as a young carer for her disabled brother. She is committed to strong public services, sustainable green jobs and a fairer Wales.
- Rajeev Metri
An NHS nurse for 22 years, Rajeev is also a Health and Safety Manual Handling Advisor. He has been a Denbighshire County Councillor for Bodelwyddan since 2022 – the first Asian person elected to the council and is also a town councillor for Bodelwyddan.
- Catherine Claydon
Catherine has been a Mold Town Councillor since 2022. She works in HR at Airbus and holds a degree in Leadership and Management. Catherine is also Women’s Officer for Clwyd East Labour, a school governor at a Welsh-medium school and a passionate supporter of multilingualism.
- Arran Fearn
Arran grew up in a working-class family in a small, rural village outside of Mold. Through bursaries, scholarships and part-time work he studied at Eton College, received a full scholarship to Duke University in the US and is currently finishing his degree at Oxford University.
- Cheryl Williams
Cheryl has lived in Denbighshire since the late 1970’s, serving on Denbighshire County Council since 2012. Prior to politics, Cheryl worked in retail for over 40 years and was a postie for over five years. She has also appeared on TV as a supporting actor.
Welsh Liberal Democrats
- David Wilkins
David is a Town Councillor in Colwyn Bay. A North Wales native, he argues against what he says are the profound effects of relentless cuts to education budgets and the toll that the cost of living crisis has taken on the lives of students.
- Bobby Feeley
Bobby is the second-ranked Welsh Liberal Democrat candidate in the Clwyd list.
- Nanette Davies
A Mold Town Councillor, Nanette is a former bank manager and current foster carer who is passionate about family and focused on the NHS, Social Service and Human Rights. “I have the knowledge and experience to improve the lives of Welsh people,” she said.
- Simon Croft
Since 2022, Simon has served on Conwy County Council. An electrical engineer by trade, he has had a career in local firms like Ferranti, Hotpoint and Quinton Hazell. “There are very few major industrial employers remaining in North Wales,” he said. “Wales must do better.”
- Jason Higgins
Jason is the fifth-ranked Welsh Liberal Democrat candidate in the Clwyd list.
- Keith Kirwan
Keith is the sixth-ranked Welsh Liberal Democrat candidate in the Clwyd list.
Plaid Cymru
- Llyr Gruffydd
Llyr has represented North Wales as a regional MS since 2011. He has led campaigns to protect health services in Clwyd including community hospitals and NHS dental practices. A father of four from Ruthin, before becoming an MS he worked for an Economic Development company.
- Becca Martin
Originally a grassroots activist, Becca was elected to Wrecsam County Borough Councillor in 2021 and has campaigned on NHS reform, improving local facilities and stronger representation for Wales. “I’m passionate about creating a better society for my son’s generation and generations to come,” she said.
- Oliver Bradley Hughes
A former councillor and college lecturer with a wealth of practical knowledge and insight gained from his teaching career, Oliver believes children deserve the best start in life through well-funded schools, strong leadership and services that give young families the help they need to thrive.
- Paul Penlington
Paul is the fourth-ranked Plaid Cymru candidate in the Clwyd list.
- Delyth Jones
Delyth is the fifth-ranked Plaid Cymru candidate in the Clwyd list.
- Abdul Khan
Abdul is the sixth-ranked Plaid Cymru candidate in the Clwyd list.
Reform UK
- Adrian Gwyn Mason
Adrian has been a legal practice educator for 27 years. A senior examiner for the Welsh Joint Education Committee, he has worked for the Nursing and Midwifery Council, sat on the Royal College of Anaesthetists Lay Committee and is a former Bae of Colwyn councillor.
- Louise Emery
Louise has been a Conwy County Councillor in Llandudno for last nine years and is a former Deputy Leader of the council. A strong supporter of the hospitality industry, she works closely with businesses across the county to increase visitor numbers and create year-round jobs.
- Tom Montgomery
Tom has a degree in Politics and International Security from the University of Warwick and is Conwy’s youngest serving County Councillor. Llandudno’s youngest ever Deputy Mayor, Tom occupies the role alongside his job in the third sector where he manages 15 members of staff.
- David Smith
Taxi driver and former postman David is a proud trade unionist who says his role allows him to listen to and engage with the community. He believes that a Reform Senedd would see the positive and ambitious change for families, communities and the country.
- Kristian Salkeld
Entrepreneur Kristian says talking to customers, problem solving and finding answers for people is a joy for him. With his parents he set up a kitchen and bathroom business 29 years ago and last year he became Flintshire County Council’s first elected Reform councillor.
- Tony Thomas
Tony has a background in education and running a small tourism business which are his core concerns – in addition to the NHS in Wales. “Education in Wales is the worse of the Home Nations as so also is the support for small businesses,” he said.
