Simon Thomas (politician)

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For the Sky Sports News presenter, see Simon Thomas (television presenter).

Simon Thomas (born 28 December 1963) is a Welsh politician. He was Plaid Cymru Member of Parliament for Ceredigion between 2000 and 2005, which he initially won after a by-election caused by the resignation of Plaid Cymru MP Cynog Dafis.

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[edit] Early life

He went to Aberdare Boys' Grammar School (became Aberdare Boys' Comprehensive School in 1978) on Cwmdare Road in Trecynon near Aberdare. At the University of College Wales, Aberystwyth, he gained a BA in Welsh in 1985. He gained a Postgraduate diploma from the College of Librarianship Wales (CLW) in Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberystwyth in 1988 (College became part of the university in 1989).

He was assistant curator for the National Library of Wales from 1986-92. From 1992-4, he was Policy and Research Officer for the Taff-Ely borough council. From 1994-2000, he was Rural Development Manager for the JIGSO rural development agency.

[edit] Parliamentary career

He retained the seat at the 2001 election with a reduced majority, and lost it in the 2005 general election to Mark Williams of the Liberal Democrats.

During the 2005 general election Simon Thomas wrote a blog [1] which shows a near daily account of his campaign trail and his thoughts following his defeat.

Simon Thomas lives in Aberystwyth, and has been placed 4th by his party in the National Assembly elections in South Wales Central in 2007, giving him no realistic chance of being elected. However when the regional lists were published for the Assembly Elections in May 2007, Simon Thomas was notable by his absence in the South Wales Central regional list. The candidates nominated were: 1. Leanne Wood, 2. Chris Franks, 3. Gwenllian Lansdown and 4. Mohammed Sarul Islam.

Following that election, Simon Thomas was appointed a special adviser to the Plaid Cymru ministers in the Welsh Assembly Government coalition between his party and Labour.

[edit] Personal life

He is married to Gwen. They have a son and a daughter.

[edit] External links

[edit] Offices Held

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Cynog Dafis		 Member of Parliament for Ceredigion
2000–2005		 Succeeded by
Mark Williams
Languages