| Office 2 | Shadow Minister for Education and Welsh Language |
|---|---|
| Term start 2 | 18 April 2024 |
| Term end 2 | 12 December 2024 |
| Predecessor 2 | Laura Anne Jones Education Sam Kurtz Welsh Language |
| Successor 2 | Natasha Asghar Education Sam Kurtz Welsh Language |
| Leader 2 | Andrew RT Davies |
| Office 3 | Shadow Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport |
| Term start 3 | 27 May 2021 |
| Term end 3 | 18 April 2024 |
| Predecessor 3 | David Melding |
| Successor 3 | Laura Anne Jones |
| Leader 3 | Andrew RT Davies |
| Office 4 | Member of the Senedd for South Wales West |
| Term start 4 | 7 May 2021 |
| Term end 4 | 7 April 2026 |
| Predecessor 4 | Multi-member constituency |
| Successor 4 | Constituency abolished |
| Birth date | 1 April 1991 (age 35) |
| Birth place | Swansea, Wales |
| Party | Welsh Conservative |
| Alma mater | Swansea University |
Tom Giffard (born 1 April 1991) is a Welsh Conservative politician who served as Member of the Senedd (MS) for the region of South Wales West from 2021 to 2026.[1][2]
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.[3]
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.[3] 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,[4] Britain's first transgender member of Parliament.[5]
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][3][4]
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.[6] He was elected as a Conservative Member of the Senedd for South Wales West in 2021.[7] Shortly after being elected he was appointed as Shadow Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport.[8] He was reshuffled to be Shadow Minister for Education and the Welsh Language in April 2024.[9]
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 show just how advanced the technology is becoming".[10] 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.[11]
In the 2026 Senedd election, he was an unsuccessful candidate in the Gŵyr Abertawe constituency.[12]
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ Mosalski, Ruth (8 May 2026). "The 16 politicians who lost their seats at Senedd 2026". Wales Online
- ^ "Tom Giffard MS". senedd.wales. Archived 18 February 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
- ^ "About Tom Giffard". Tom Giffard. 2024-04-18. Archived 3 March 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
- ^ "Jamie Wallis MP comes out as trans and says he was raped - BBC News". 2022-03-30. Archived 30 March 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
- ^ "Wales election: Suzy Davies loses place on Tory Senedd candidates list". BBC News. 2021-01-19. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
- ^ "Election results for South Wales West". Senedd Cymru. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ "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 2024-07-01.
- ^ Price, Emily (2024-04-18). "Welsh Conservatives reshuffle shadow cabinet". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
- ^ "ChatGPT: Welsh politician uses AI chatbot to write speech". BBC News. 2023-06-21. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
- ^ Mansfield, Mark (2023-07-11). "Senedd sketch: Tory MS scolded for 'colonial mentality in end of term FMQ's". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
- ^ "Tom Giffard named as Tory lead candidate for Gŵyr Abertawe Senedd Constituency". Swansea Bay News. 17 Apr 2025.