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by | Dec 19, 2023 | Geranium

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Tom Giffard is a Welsh Conservative politician who has served as Member of the Senedd (MS) for the region of South Wales West since 2021.[1]

Background

Giffard is a second language Welsh speaker. He firstly became a Learning Support Assistant in a Welsh Language primary school. He then went on to complete his studies at Swansea University, receiving a BA in History and Politics.[2]

Political Career

Upon his graduation, he then went on to work as a Community Liaison Officer within his region of South Wales West before organising campaigns and working with volunteers in both Swansea and Bridgend.[2] Prior to his election as a Member of the Senedd for South Wales West, Tom held the position of Office Manager for Bridgend MP, Jamie Wallis,[3] Britain's first transgender member of Parliament.[4]

Giffard was a councillor for Brackla on Bridgend County Borough Council from 2017 to 2022. He worked as the leader of the Conservative group on the council until his election to the Senedd in 2021.[1][2][3]

He replaced Suzy Davies at the top of the Conservatives' party list for the South Wales West electoral region, as she was not re-selected for the list.[5] He was elected as a Conservative Member of the Senedd for South Wales West in 2021.[6] Shortly after being elected he was appointed as Shadow Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport.[7] He was reshuffled to be Shadow Minister for Education and the Welsh Language in April 2024.[8]

In June 2023, Giffard read a speech generated with ChatGPT in the Senedd, celebrating Wales' win in the World Cup of Darts that year. He said to the BBC that he used it to "to show just how advanced the technology is becoming".[9] In July of the same year he was criticised by then First Minister Mark Drakeford for a 'colonial mentality' when he said that wales is "given £1.20 for every £1 spent in England" on the health service.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b Mosalski, Ruth; Burkitt, Sian (7 May 2021). "Plaid Cymru and Conservatives take two Senedd seats each in South Wales West region". WalesOnline. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Tom Giffard MS". senedd.wales. Archived from the original on 18 February 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  3. ^ a b "About Tom Giffard". Tom Giffard. 18 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  4. ^ "Jamie Wallis MP comes out as trans and says he was raped - BBC News". 30 March 2022. Archived from the original on 30 March 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Wales election: Suzy Davies loses place on Tory Senedd candidates list". BBC News. 19 January 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Election results for South Wales West". Senedd Cymru. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Boozy MSs who drank in the Senedd after the alcohol ban came in get top roles on Welsh Tory frontbench - Wales Online". Wales Online. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  8. ^ Price, Emily (18 April 2024). "Welsh Conservatives reshuffle shadow cabinet". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  9. ^ "ChatGPT: Welsh politician uses AI chatbot to write speech". BBC News. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  10. ^ Mansfield, Mark (11 July 2023). "Senedd sketch: Tory MS scolded for 'colonial mentality in end of term FMQ's". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 1 July 2024.


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