THE Plaid Cymru MP for Arfon, Hywel Williams, will not stand at the next British general election.

Addressing party members at a meeting last night (November 10), Mr Williams said it had been an “honour and a privilege” to serve the people of Arfon and Caernarfon constituency during more than two decades as a MP. 

Mr Williams, 69, was first elected to Parliament in 2001, taking the Caernarfon seat from Dafydd Wigley.

He held the seat at the 2005 election, winning the new Arfon seat in 2010 following boundary changes.

He has held the seat for Plaid Cymru at six successive Westminster elections.

Mr Williams is known for his campaigning work on the rights of disabled and vulnerable people, and has served as Plaid Cymru’s parliamentary spokesperson on work and pensions since 2001.

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He voted against the Iraq war in 2003 and was involved in an attempt to impeach the former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, for misleading Parliament on the legal case for war.

Mr Williams MP said: “After much thought and discussion with my family, I have decided not to offer myself as a candidate to stand again on behalf of Plaid Cymru to be a Member of Parliament for the Arfon constituency.

“Serving as MP for Caernarfon from 2001 onwards, following in the footsteps of Dafydd Wigley, one of the political giants of Wales, and then standing and winning the new seat of Arfon in 2010 was a huge privilege.

“It was a special honour to represent my home communities of Pwllheli and Rhoslan until the boundary change of 2010.

“I am extremely grateful for all the support I received from the very beginning from both friends and neighbours and members of the party in Dwyfor.

“Standing in Arfon, to come second according to the political insiders, was a huge challenge, and that in communities which had never had a Plaid MP before.

“But now, the people of Arfon have a Member of Parliament and a Member of our Senedd for Plaid Cymru, together with a large, talented and dedicated group of county and community councillors.

“I would like to give special thanks to my family for their support and patience over 21 years.

“I am much indebted to my dedicated team of parliamentary staff in Caernarfon and London, and to party staff in Caernarfon and Cardiff.'

“Thank you also to my fellow Members of Parliament and the three who were Members of the Assembly and then the Senedd during my time in office, Dafydd Wigley, Alun Ffred Jones and Sian Gwenllian.

“Finally, I sincerely thank the people of Dwyfor and Arfon for their support over the years and hope that I have fully repaid their faith in me.”

The MS for Arfon, Sian Gwenllian, added: “Hywel has been fierce and principled in holding the Tories to account for the last 12 years, in complete contrast to an all too often anaemic, watered-down version of opposition by the Labour Party.

“Hywel has been a compassionate and fearless local voice for this area since the beginning of the millennium.

“Now he deserves to stand down to spend quality time with his family. But I will miss his wisdom and friendship.”

Plaid Cymru leader, Adam Price, said: “Throughout his time in the House of Commons, Hywel Williams has been a tireless campaigner for social justice, giving voice to vulnerable and disabled people, and leading the fight against cruel Westminster welfare policies.

“His experience and wisdom will be missed by the Plaid Cymru group in Westminster – but I know his much valued contribution to the party will continue. I wish him all the best for the future.”

Plaid Cymru leader in Westminster, Liz Saville Roberts MP, said: “Hywel Williams has played a huge role in both the national politics of Wales and the politics of Gwynedd.

“Many of us - in Plaid Cymru and beyond - are in his debt.”

Plaid Cymru chair, Marc Jones, said: “On behalf of Plaid Cymru, I want to pay tribute to Hywel's years of loyalty to the party and tireless campaigning on behalf of the people of Arfon.

“Hywel is the epitome of a first-rate politician, a true representative of the people who has championed good causes by giving a voice to the voiceless.

‘”I know Hywel will continue to make a significant contribution to the party and Welsh discourse and that his constituents will continue to have a hard-working Member of Parliament up until the next election.”