Betty Williams (politician)

Technopedia Center

Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science
S1 Informatics S1 Information Systems S1 Information Technology S1 Computer Engineering S1 Electrical Engineering S1 Civil Engineering

faculty of Economics and Business
S1 Management S1 Accountancy

Faculty of Letters and Educational Sciences
S1 English literature S1 English language education S1 Mathematics education S1 Sports Education

Betty Williams (politician) - Wikipedia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Betty Williams

Member of Parliament for Conwy
In office 1 May 1997 – 12 April 2010
Preceded by	Wyn Roberts
Succeeded by	Constituency abolished

Personal details
Born	Betty Helena Williams (1944-07-31) 31 July 1944 (age 80) Bangor, Caernarfonshire, Wales
Political party	Labour
Spouse	Evan Williams
Children	2
Alma mater	University of Wales, Bangor

Betty Helena Williams (née Williams; born 31 July 1944) is a Welsh Labour politician, who was the Member of Parliament for Conwy from 1997 to 2010.

Early life

Williams was born in St David's Hospital, Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales. She attended Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle in Penygroes, near Caernarfon, and also attended Bangor Normal College.

Her political career began in 1967 when she was elected to become a member of the Llanllyfni Parish Council. She proceeded to serve as a district council, and more recently in 1990 as Mayor of Arfon.

Williams is a former chair of a community centre, as well as a former Christian Aid and Meals on Wheels organiser, and an Honorary Fellow of the University of Wales, Bangor. She worked as a secretary and freelance journalist.

Parliamentary career

Williams contested Caernarfon in 1983 and Conwy in 1987 and 1992. In 1995, she was again selected to stand for election for Labour in Conwy, though this time through an all-women shortlist.

She was a member of the Parliamentary Labour Party committees on education and employment; health and social services, and culture, media and sport. In 2009 she supported Carwyn Jones in the election for First Minister, strongly criticising his opponent Edwina Hart for dismissing suggestions that the First Minister needed to be able to speak the Welsh language.^[1] Williams said: "“I think it’s important that we have someone who is bilingual as First Minister of Wales, like we’ve had with Rhodri who can conduct interviews through the medium of Welsh or English.”

She was also a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Groups in the House of Commons covering children in Wales, primary headache disorders, maternity, multiple sclerosis and vaccine-damaged children.

In September 2008, Williams announced that she would not be contesting her parliamentary seat at the 2010 general election.^[2] She stated that this was due to her wanting to 'change the balance' of her workload.

Personal life

Williams was married to Evan Williams with two sons; Williams is both her married and maiden name. She has a BA from the University of Wales. Her interests include opera and sheepdog trials. Her husband Evan died on 10 April 2020 of complications of COVID-19, after twice being tested negative for the disease.^[3]

References

^ "Edwina Hart sparks controversy after scolding MP over remarks of her not speaking Welsh". WalesOnline. 16 November 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
^ Conwy MP Betty Williams announces retirement Daily Post, 11 September 2008
^ Rod Michin, Rod (15 April 2020). "Ex-MP's husband dies with coronavirus after twice testing negative". WalesOnline.

External links

Betty Williams MP TheyWorkForYou.com
Betty Williams MP voting record The Public Whip

News items

Conwy MP Betty Williams to retire BBC News, 11 September 2008.
MPs 'smoking in Commons toilets' BBC News, 5 July 2007.
MP calls for school car ban BBC News, 6 December 2003.

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Wyn Roberts	Member of Parliament for Conwy 1997–2010	Constituency abolished

Categories:

Hidden categories:

Authority control databases
International	VIAF WorldCat
National	United States
People	UK Parliament