Sioned Williams, the newly appointed Deputy First Minister of Wales, has become a primary target for Reform UK in the early days of the Plaid Cymru minority government. The 54-year-old former BBC journalist, who now oversees portfolios including equality, community cohesion, and international development, finds herself at the center of political clashes that have already led to a walkout in the Senedd.
Background and Rise to Deputy First Minister
Williams, a Plaid Cymru member since her student days, was elected as a Member of the Senedd (MS) in 2021 at age 49. Her political journey began with community council service, chairing a local Cylch Meithrin (Welsh-medium playgroup), and serving as chair of school governors. She credits former leader Leanne Wood for re-energizing her involvement in the party. Williams and First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth have known each other since they were 17, meeting at the Urdd drama course. She describes his appointment of her as Deputy First Minister as "the honour of my life."
Reform UK's Attacks and Political Climate
Reform UK, which won 43 seats in the 2026 Senedd election to become the official opposition, has dominated early parliamentary sessions. Their motions on international spending and the Nation of Sanctuary policy prompted a walkout by Plaid Cymru, the Greens, and Labour MSs. Williams expressed concern about the tone and rhetoric: "It is shocking to many members ... the level and the language and the rhetoric that has been used." She noted that Reform UK's focus on inflammatory issues misses "the wider point of the effect of some of the rhetoric."
Reform UK also scrutinized the government's flagship childcare bill, which Williams called "absolutely their job as opposition," but she pointed out that the party "hadn't even mentioned childcare in their manifesto." She emphasized that Plaid Cymru will demonstrate its values through actions and policies supported by the majority of Welsh voters.
Childcare Policy Ambitions
Williams is determined to deliver on Plaid Cymru's manifesto promise of 20 hours of free childcare per week for children aged nine months to four years by 2030. She acknowledges the complexity of the policy, inherited from the previous administration, and the need for phased implementation. Key challenges include workforce development: a skills audit is underway, and post-16 education reforms aim to prepare a pipeline of childcare workers. Williams insists that nothing she has learned in office has made her doubt the policy's feasibility: "It is realistic."
Social Justice and Anti-Poverty Measures
Williams, whose grandparents were miners and who was the first in her family to attend university, describes social justice as her driving motivation. She is championing Cynnal, a Welsh child payment of £10 per week for children up to age six in households receiving universal credit. The pilot scheme aims to reach 15,000 children in deep poverty, providing funds for everyday childhood experiences like cinema trips, swimming lessons, or birthday presents. "Evidence has shown that this is one of the key interventions that can be made," she said, citing Scotland's success with similar measures.
Governing Style and Data-Driven Approach
Williams defends the new government's reliance on data, reports, and audits, which have attracted criticism. "We need to have an absolutely comprehensive view of what we're dealing with," she said. "We have made it very clear we want to work on the basis of evidence. We also want to work transparently and we need to work responsibly, ground all our policies in the reality that is in front of us."
Personal Impact and Determination
Williams, who experienced a gender pay gap herself—earning more than her husband but not catching up until age 49—sees childcare as a feminist and social justice issue. "This mainly impacts women," she noted. "I'm really clear about the effect that it can have on our society broadly." She remains focused on delivering for those in Wales who "through no fault of their own, don't have the same opportunities as everybody else."
