People living in the Westminster constituencies of Clwyd East and Clwyd North will join together at this election as part of one giant new constituency called simply Clwyd. Six Senedd Members will be elected from the area.
You’ll find all the details here of the candidates standing in the new Clwyd constituency, which includes includes Colwyn Bay, Denbigh, Holywell, Llangollen, Mold, Rhyl, Ruthin, Prestatyn and St Asaph.
The changes to the constituency boundary are as a result of major changes to devolved elections in Wales. As well the changes to constituencies, the voting system is changing, as is the number of politicians who will be elected.
For the election on May 7, there will be sixteen different constituencies each of which will elect six Senedd Members. Instead of the current 60 Senedd members, there will be 96, and the voting system will change too. You will no longer have two votes, for a constituency and regional member, but one vote for a party.
Constituency map
The Clwyd constituency for the 2026 Senedd election(Image: Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru)
The candidates
Like all 16 of the new super-constituencies for Senedd elections, Clwyd will have six Senedd Members after May’s election.
People will vote for a party and the successful candidates will be chosen by a system of proportional representation using the votes in the constituency. If a party was to win all the votes in an area, it would be allocated all six seats. However it’s more likely that the seats will be split between several parties.
Political parties have published lists of up to eight candidates for each constituency and if a party wins one seat in a constituency, the name at the top of their list will be elected. If a party wins two seats in a constituency, the top two names on their list will be elected, and so on. Independent candidates can also stand. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
We have asked all parties to provide a list of all their candidates, and biographies of their top four candidates. This list will be updated as these are provided.
ConservativesDarren MillarGareth DaviesGareth Ffowcs WilliamsJustine EvansSylvia Clough-HughesDamon Richards-GwilliamMike Gebreyohanes
Darren Millar
(Image: WalesOnline)
First elected to the Welsh Parliament in May 2007, he was re-elected in 2011, 2016 and 2021.
Brought up in Towyn, he now lives in Kinmel Bay with his wife Rebekah and their two children, Mary and Toby.
Darren is a committed Christian, avid reader and amateur astronomer. During his time in the Senedd, Darren has held various shadow ministerial portfolios including health, education, local government, international relations and chief whip.
He has also served as chair of the public accounts committee and founded cross-party groups on faith and the armed forces. Before becoming an MS, Darren worked as a manager for an international charity and as an accountant. He is a chartered manager and a fellow of the CMI, ILM and RSA.
Gareth Davies
Elected as the Conservative member of the Senedd for the Vale of Clwyd in May 2021. Prior to this, he worked in the Welsh NHS for over a decade and served as a Denbighshire county and town councillor for Prestatyn South West from 2017.
Born in St Asaph, he later lived in Rhyl and now resides in Prestatyn with his wife and young son. Upon winning the seat, he said it “means everything” to represent his home constituency.
Since 2021, Gareth has held several roles including shadow minister for social services, shadow minister for mental health and early years, and later served as shadow cabinet secretary for culture, tourism, sport and north Wales.
Green PartyMartyn HoggCarly Murdoch-DysonLucy SuttonKarl MacnaughtonDavid BlaineyCheryl Buxton-SaitHeritage Party
Rob Redhead
I was born in Llandudno, educated at John Bright School worked in transport and distribution management and driver training. I studied law at Staffordshire University while there worked as a CAB Advisor at Hanley CAB.
On my return to Wales, I worked again in distribution and transport, I was on the board of a housing association for the permitted nine years.
I am also a local Community Councillor. I am married have two adult sons who both work in IT, I am also a media creator with digital video and photography as a hobby. I build my own computers am generally IT savvy.
As 16-year-olds can vote in Senedd and council elections I oppose the Under 18 social media ban as it impacts their ability to research and make a fully informed choice who to vote for.
LabourHannah BlythynCarolyn ThomasCrispin Lewis JonesEllen Rose JonesRajeev MetriCatherine Frances ClaydonArran FearnCheryl Lynne Williams
Hannah Blythyn
(Image: Welsh Labour)
Hannah Blythyn is a passionate north Walian who was first elected to serve the community that shaped her in 2016 and was re-elected as the Member of Senedd for Delyn in 2021.
She is a committed trade unionist and prior to being elected, Hannah led on a range of campaigns including action on blacklisting and protection for rural workers in Wales. Hannah is proud to have taken through groundbreaking legislation that put social partnership on a formal footing in Wales.
She is also a former co-chair of LGBT Labour and was active in the campaign for equal marriage.
Carolyn Thomas
(Image: Welsh Labour)
Carolyn Thomas served as the MS for the region of north Wales since 2021. Prior to her current role, Carolyn was the Deputy Leader of Flintshire Council, having held her councillor position since 2008.
As a county councillor, Carolyn campaigned for improved public bus transport, investment in highways funding, the music service, investment in children’s play areas, early years funding and for the natural environment.
Carolyn previously worked as a postwoman and a post office clerk. She speaks Italian after spending two years working in Italy and has a growing family including two young grandchildren and two dogs with big personalities.
Crispin Jones
(Image: Welsh Labour)
Crispin Jones has built a career in the energy efficiency, renewable technology, and fuel poverty sector. He has worked in both the public and private sector and has run his own business. Crispin advised Welsh ministers on fuel [poverty and established the first Home Energy Efficiency Scheme Advisory Group.
In 2011, Crispin stood as a candidate in the Senedd election against Darren Millar and came second. He is an advocate of Social Enterprise and Community business and is currently Head of Office for Gill German MP.
Ellen Jones
(Image: Welsh Labour)
Ellen Jones is a proud local who grew up in Flintshire, and now raises her family there. Her passion for social justice was shaped by her experience as a young carer for her disabled brother. A passionate third sector campaigner, she has led impactful policy change, including embedding healthy relationships education in schools.
Ellen is committed to strong public services, sustainable green jobs, and a fairer Wales. She brings deep policy knowledge, grassroots experience, and a lifelong dedication to Labour values.
Liberal DemocratsDavid WilkinsBobby FeeleyNanette DaviesSimon CroftJason HigginsKeith Kirwan
David Wilkins
David Wilkins is a serving town councillor in Colwyn Bay. A north Wales native, he has spent most of his life in the region, dedicating himself to secondary school education. With a deep-seated commitment to the well-being of young people in his community, David has witnessed firsthand the profound effects of relentless cuts to education budgets and the toll the cost of living crisis has taken on the happiness and home lives of students.
Nanette Davies
(Image: Liberal Democrats)
I am born and bred in Flintshire. I am a Mold Town Councillor and I am passionate about my family. I have a son and daughter, three grandchildren and a great-grandson.
I was a bank manager before making a life changing decision to become a Foster Carer . We fostered a young man with ADHD and Autism in 2003, he remains with us.
I appreciate the importance of the NHS and Social Services and Human Rights and the community I serve.
Although I have come into politics in later life, I feel I have the knowledge and experience to improve the lives of Welsh people.
Simon Croft
(Image: Liberal Democrats)
Since 2022, Simon Croft has been serving on Conwy County Council, he now chairs the Social Care and Health scrutiny committee monitoring social services and Betsi Cadwallader Health Board, with the West End health centre in his ward he is well aware of the state of health services and particularly primary care and the importance of carers – paid and unpaid to the people in Clwyd. Liberal Democrats have campaigned for years for an increase in carers allowance.
An electrical engineer by trade, he has had a career in local firms like Ferranti, Hotpoint and Quinton Hazell. The fate of all these is an indictment of Senedd industrial policy.
He reflects “There are very few major industrial employers remaining in North Wales. We can and should encourage STEM subjects in schools but anyone wanting a career has to commute to Deeside or England. Wales must do better to create employment
Plaid CymruLlyr GruffyddBecca MartinOliver Bradley HughesPaul PenlingtonDelyth JonesAbdul Khan
Llyr Gruffydd
(Image: Plaid Cymru)
Llyr is an experienced Member of the Senedd having represented North Wales as a regional MS since 2011.
He is Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson for Rural Affairs and has a strong track record of campaigning to ensure north Wales gets its fair share of jobs and investment.
Before becoming an MS he worked for an economic development company and has continued to support local businesses through his political work. He has also led campaigns to protect local health services in Clwyd including community hospitals and NHS dental practices.
The father of four lives in Ruthin, is a school governor, and was chair of the Senedd’s climate change, environment and infrastructure committee.
Becca Martin
(Image: Plaid Cymru)
Becca is 38 and lives with her partner Mike and son Charlie who is eight. Originally entering politics as a grassroots activist she was elected as a county councillor for the Acton and Maesydre ward Wrecsam in 2021.
Becca is a strong advocate for residents, unafraid of challenging the status quo or asking difficult questions. She prides herself on being accessible, available and approachable and has proven that she is a “doer” actively campaigning on issues including NHS reform, improving local facilities and stronger representation for Wales. Proud to support many causes Becca can often be seen on picket lines, at rallies and protests.
Becca says “I am delighted to be able to stand for Plaid Cymru in the upcoming Senedd elections as I’m passionate about creating a better society for my son, his generation and generations to come.”
Oli Bradley Hughes
(Image: Plaid Cymru)
Oli is a dedicated college lecturer, with a wealth of practical knowledge and insight gained from his teaching career.
He believes that children deserve the best start in life, through well funded schools, strong leadership, and services that give young families the help they need to thrive.
As a former councillor, I gained valuable insight into how politics works, my degree in politics and Welsh history has taught me that we can build on tough lessons on the past to build a better Wales.
Paul Penlington
(Image: Plaid Cymru)
Paul has been a dedicated community champion for many years. From ten years as a county Councillor to long term voluntary work with community groups.
Professionally he’s a lecturer at a local college with thirty years experience of supporting children and young people. “I believe in working for my community whether at a local, or national, level people will always come first.” he said.
Reform UKAdrian Gwyn MasonLouise EmeryThomas MontgomeryDavid SmithKristian SalkeldTony Thomas
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