Simon Thomas
Simon Thomas was first elected to the Assembly at the 2011 election as a regional member for Mid and West Wales.
Simon was appointed to Plaid Cymru’s five-strong cabinet in waiting in January 2014 as Shadow Minister for Education, Skills and the Welsh language.
He represents the Plaid Cymru Assembly Group on the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Wales.
He is a member of the Children and Young People Committee; Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee.
Before his election, he worked as senior special adviser to the One Wales Government (2007-10), advising the Deputy First Minister and the Welsh Transport Minister along with other Plaid Cymru Ministers.
He was special adviser when for the first time the Welsh Government allocated more money to sustainable transport modes above the main road network and saw the re-opening of Ebbw Valley rail line for passengers as well as the introduction of the north-south “Gerallt Gymro” rail service.
This year he led a short debate in the Senedd on reopening the Carmarthen to Aberystwyth rail line. He has been successful after exerting a great deal of pressure for an hourly service on the Cambrian line, and arranged a lobby of the Welsh Transport Minister with the Heart of Wales line group. The new services will be introduced next year.
In his region he has supported the campaign to re-open stations at Bow Street and Carno.
He was previously Party of Wales MP for Ceredigion from 2000 to 2005.
Whilst in Parliament, he spoke for his party on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Transport, International Development, Energy, Culture Media and Sport.
He was also a member of the Environmental Audit Committee and became one of the longest serving members of that body, being recognised as a constant Parliamentary advocate for the environment and sustainable development.
His political interests include the environment, food and rural affairs, transport, international development, energy and culture, media and sport. He lives in Aberystwyth with his wife and two children. He enjoys walking, cycling, reading and spending time with the family.
Welsh Assembly Simon Thomas web page