Chris Franks

This page is on the Welsh engineer and politician. For the soccer player see Chris Franks (soccer).
Chris Franks
Member of the Welsh Assembly
for South Wales Central
In office
3 May 2007 – 3 May 2011
Preceded by Owen John Thomas
Succeeded by Eluned Parrott
Assembly Commissioner
In office
18 September 2007 – 3 May 2011
Preceded by Elin Jones
Succeeded by Rhodri Glyn Thomas
Personal details
Born (1951-08-02) 2 August 1951
Political party Plaid Cymru

Christopher Paul Franks (born 2 August 1951) is a Welsh engineer and politician. A member of Plaid Cymru, he has led the party's group on the Vale of Glamorgan council. Between 2007 and 2011 he was a member of the National Assembly for Wales losing in 2011.

Career

Franks was born in Cardiff, and educated at Llandaff College. He qualified as a civil engineer, and worked in the Highways and Transport Department of a local authority.

Political life

He was elected to Vale of Glamorgan council from Dinas Powys ward, and also to Dinas Powys Community Council. Franks was the Plaid Cymru candidate for Vale of Glamorgan in the 2001 general election, and shortly after the election was chosen as Plaid Cymru group leader on Vale of Glamorgan. He also fought the Vale of Glamorgan in the 1999 and 2003 elections to the National Assembly for Wales. In 2002, Franks challenged Owen John Thomas for the top place on the Plaid Cymru list in South Wales Central, but was unsuccessful.[1]

Vale of Glamorgan council and leadership

After the 2004 elections to Vale of Glamorgan Council the Plaid Cymru group found itself with the 'balance of power' and Franks held meetings with both the Conservative and Labour leaders.[2] Eventually the Conservatives formed a minority administration which lasted until November 2006 when a crisis over social services cuts led to a vote of no confidence in the Conservative leader being passed. Franks declared that an all-party coalition was preferable.[3] A coalition between Labour, Plaid Cymru and Independent councillors was agreed that December under which Franks became the cabinet member for Legal and Public Protection, a post that he no longer holds. Franks was neutral in his support for the coalition having abstained in the vote of no confidence.

In the 2017 elections, Franks lost his seat to the Conservatives. [4]

National Assembly candidate

Franks was selected in May 2006 as second on Plaid Cymru's list for South Wales Central following the retirement of Owen John Thomas; Plaid had won two seats from the regional list in both previous elections to the Assembly.[5] He duly retained the seat in the 2007 election.

References

  1. ↑ Clive Betts, "Two prepare to challenge Plaid spokesman", Western Mail, 15 July 2002.
  2. ↑ "Key held by Plaid", South Wales Echo, 16 June 2004.
  3. ↑ Peter Collins, "Crisis-hit council's emergency talks", South Wales Echo, 24 November 2006.
  4. ↑ http://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/Documents/Our%20Council/Council/Elections/LGE-2017-Results-County/DINAS-POWYS.pdf
  5. ↑ Phillip Nifield, "Franks set for assembly", South Wales Echo, 15 May 2006.

Offices held

National Assembly for Wales
Preceded by
Owen John Thomas		 Assembly Member for South Wales Central
2007 – 2011 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by
Elin Jones		 Assembly Commission
2007 (from Sept 18)–present 		Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by
Jill Evans		 Vice President of Plaid Cymru
2010–2013 		Succeeded by
Position abolished
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