Marc Jones, the newly elected Plaid Cymru MS for Fflint Wrecsam, has set himself a four-year deadline to make a difference in the Senedd, driven by a desire to spend more time with his grandson. The 64-year-old former journalist, who has lived in Wrexham for 40 years, is impatient for change in an area he says has been neglected in a Welsh context.
A lifelong connection to Wrexham
Jones, who grew up in Flintshire but now represents the new constituency that includes both areas, is a season ticket holder at Wrexham AFC. He recalls the town's decline after the steelworks and pits closed, and the impact of the football club's revival under owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.
"It was meant to happen, because Wrexham, I think, is this absolute sleeping giant of a football club," he said. "Wrexham was a town on its knees. It was also struggling with its pride, confidence, and this is what this did. Somebody from outside said 'we think you're great'."
From journalist to politician
Jones began his career in journalism, working for the Evening Leader, Daily Post, and Liverpool Echo before moving into current affairs at ITV and BBC. His activism predates his political career, including involvement in the anti-poll tax campaign in the 1990s, which led to bailiffs visiting his home and an attachment to earnings.
He was first elected in 2008 and has worked for Plaid Cymru politicians Llyr Gruffydd and Janet Ryder. He describes Plaid's growth in Wrexham as an "18-year overnight success," noting that even campaigns they thought were resounding saw gains of only 200 votes.
Plaid's breakthrough and future plans
In the 2021 Senedd election, Carrie Harper, now his colleague, saw a rise of over 21% in the vote, the biggest increase in Wales. Jones admits the constituency changes for this election felt like a blow initially, but internal sampling showed wins in Wrexham and some wards in Flintshire, giving genuine excitement for future elections.
Looking ahead to the council elections in May 2027, Jones says the party is already building for the next one. He acknowledges the party must be "transformational" in what it offers, citing that half of families in poverty have a child under four, making childcare support targeted and effective.
Priorities: housing and preventive healthcare
Jones sits on the local government, housing, and planning committee. He highlights the issue of empty properties, with 1,600 long-term empty homes in Wrexham and more than 20,000 across Wales. He suggests using funding and compulsory purchase powers to bring them back into use.
On preventive healthcare, he argues it will deliver in 20 years but requires someone to "grasp that bull by the horns." He opposes widespread council reform, saying it would cause chaos, and prefers to focus on practical change within his four-year term.
"I'm in a hurry because I want to see that change in four years, as much as possible. We solve a part of the housing crisis, we make people healthier, we put money in people's pockets through the childcare offer and we give kids the best start," he said.
