Gwynoro Jones

Gwynoro Glyndwr Jones is a Welsh politician, author, and broadcaster. He is best known for his role as a Member of Parliament for Carmarthen and his long-standing struggle against Plaid Cymru leader Gwynfor Evans. Jones has also served as a school inspector, political commentator, and journalist. He is widely recognised as a leading figure in Welsh politics and is the author of the recent book Only Three Votes (2024), which revisits the political battles of the 1970s.

Gwynoro Jones was born on 21 November 1942 in the small village of Penygroes. He began his career in public relations working for the Labour Party in Wales during the 1960s.

By 1970, at 27, Jones was elected to Parliament, representing Carmarthen, where he faced fierce opposition from Gwynfor Evans. The two were locked in an intense political battle that transformed the Welsh political landscape.

In the February 1974 election, Jones retained his seat by a narrow margin of just three votes after five recounts. This event became the focal point of his later writings.

Jones was unwavering in his commitment to social democracy and fought tirelessly for Welsh devolution throughout his time in Parliament. However, Jones was unequivocal in his criticism of the Labour Party's leftward drift, warning the party of the risks to unity in a letter in June 1974.

He stated, "I am deeply concerned about recent developments in the Labour Party. They will have a detrimental impact on the long-term unity of the Labour Movement."

After losing his seat to Evans later in 1974, Jones remained active in politics, campaigning for a 'Yes' vote in the 1975 referendum on Britain's membership of the European Economic Community. Early in the 1980s, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Wales.

Jones' professional life took another turn as he spent nearly two decades as an inspector of schools, working with EPPC-Severn Crossing Ltd. He inspected over 1,000 schools across Wales, playing a pivotal role in shaping educational standards.

In his latest book, Only Three Votes, Jones reflects on his tumultuous political career, particularly the battle for Carmarthen. The book provides invaluable insight into the devolution debates of the 1970s and presents a detailed account of his rivalry with Gwynfor Evans. As First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford noted, Only Three Votes is "essential and highly entertaining reading" for anyone interested in the history of Welsh politics.

Jones continues to advocate for Welsh independence and European unity, commenting and blogging about contemporary political issues.

Photo credit: gwynorojones.blogspot.com