Dafydd Trystan Davies (born 11 August 1974Aberdare Online – DAFYDD TRYSTAN DAVIES Plaid candidate Cynon Valley, 5 May 2010) is a Welsh academic and politician who has served as Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution and Member of the Senedd (MS) for Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf since 2026.
Biography Dafydd Trystan Davies was born in Aberdare and now lives in Grangetown, Cardiff. He studied at Ysgol Rhydfelen and at Aberystwyth University, gaining a doctorate for his work on globalisation and the Welsh economy.Aberdare Online, 14 October 2013 . Accessed 15 October 2013 He was chair of Plaid Cymru from 2013Plaid Cymru official website: "Dafydd Trystan Davies is the new Plaid Cymru chair", 12 October 2013 . Accessed 15 October 2013 until 2019, when he was replaced by Alun Ffred Jones. Trystan is currently the Senior Academic Manager and Registrar for Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.
He was appointed chair of the Welsh Government's Active Travel Board in September 2020, and was re-appointed in August 2022. Between February and May 2024 he was a special adviser to Plaid Cymru designated members in the 2021 Welsh Labour–Plaid Cymru agreement.
Political career
Davies was Plaid's parliamentary candidate for the Cynon Valley constituency at the 2010 general election, and was the party's candidate for the Welsh Assembly for the same constituency in 2011.Wales Online, "Dr Dafydd Trystan Davies selected as Cynon Valley’s Plaid Cymru candidate in next year’s Welsh Assembly elections", 16 September 2010. Accessed 15 October 2013 In July 2013 he was selected as Plaid's Welsh Assembly candidate for the Cardiff South and Penarth seat, for the elections in 2016,"PLAID’S DR DAFYDD TRYSTAN DAVIES TO FIGHT LABOUR’S VAUGHAN GETHING FOR PENARTH ASSEMBLY SEAT", Penarth News, 26 July 2013 . Accessed 15 October 2013 where he came third with 14.3% of the votes.
In the 2026 Senedd election, Davies was elected as a MS, representing the Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf constituency. He announced that he would only use public transport or active travel during his duties in the Senedd; if he had to use a car he would then document this. Shortly after being elected, he was appointed as Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution.
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