- Chris Franks
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- This page is on the Welsh engineer and politician. For the soccer player see Chris Franks (soccer).
Chris Franks AM Assembly Commissioner Incumbent Assumed office
18 September 2007First Minister Carwyn Jones
Rhodri MorganPreceded by Elin Jones Member of the Welsh Assembly
for South Wales CentralIncumbent Assumed office
3 May 2007Preceded by Owen John Thomas Personal details Born 2 August 1951 Political party Plaid Cymru Christopher Paul Franks (born 2 August 1951) is a Welsh engineer and politician. A member of Plaid Cymru, he has led the party's group on the Vale of Glamorgan council. Between 2007 and 2011 he was a member of the National Assembly for Wales losing in 2011.
Contents
Career
Franks was born in Cardiff, and educated at Llandaff College. He qualified as a civil engineer, and worked in the Highways and Transport Department of a local authority.
Political life
He was elected to Vale of Glamorgan council from Dinas Powys ward, and also to Dinas Powys Community Council. Franks was the Plaid Cymru candidate for Vale of Glamorgan in the 2001 general election, and shortly after the election was chosen as Plaid Cymru group leader on Vale of Glamorgan. He also fought the Vale of Glamorgan in the 1999 and 2003 elections to the National Assembly for Wales. In 2002, Franks challenged Owen John Thomas for the top place on the Plaid Cymru list in South Wales Central, but was unsuccessful.[1]
Vale of Glamorgan council leadership
After the 2004 elections to Vale of Glamorgan Council, the Plaid Cymru group found itself with the 'balance of power' and Franks held meetings with both the Conservative and Labour leaders.[2] Eventually the Conservatives formed a minority administration. This administration lasted until November 2006 when a crisis over social services cuts led to a vote of no confidence in the Conservative Leader being passed. Franks declared that an all-party coalition was preferable.[3] A coalition between Labour, Plaid Cymru and Independent councillors was agreed that December under which Franks became Cabinet member for Legal and Public Protection. He is no longer the Cabinet member for Legal and Public Protection, this by succeeded by Ms Val Hartrey.Franks was neutral in his support for the coalition having abstained in the vote of no confidence. Before this he propped up the Tory administration.
National Assembly candidate
Franks was selected in May 2006 as second on Plaid Cymru's list for South Wales Central following the retirement of Owen John Thomas; Plaid had won two seats from the regional list in both previous elections to the Assembly.[4] He duly retained the seat in the 2007 election.
References
- Biography on the Plaid Cymru website
- ^ Clive Betts, "Two prepare to challenge Plaid spokesman", Western Mail, 15 July 2002.
- ^ "Key held by Plaid", South Wales Echo, 16 June 2004.
- ^ Peter Collins, "Crisis-hit council's emergency talks", South Wales Echo, 24 November 2006.
- ^ Phillip Nifield, "Franks set for assembly", South Wales Echo, 15 May 2006.
External links
Offices held
National Assembly for Wales Preceded by
Owen John ThomasAssembly Member for South Wales Central
2007 – 2011Succeeded by
IncumbentPreceded by
Elin JonesAssembly Commission
2007 (from Sept 18)–presentIncumbent Plaid Cymru Leadership Leader Ieuan Wyn Jones (2006–present)Assembly Group Leader
(party leader since 2006)Presidents
(Party leader pre-2003)Lewis Valentine (1925–1926) · Saunders Lewis (1926–1939) · John Edward Daniel (1939–1943) · Abi Williams (1943–1945) · Gwynfor Evans (1945–1981) · Dafydd Wigley (1981–1984) · Dafydd Elis-Thomas (1984–1991) · Dafydd Wigley (1991–2000) · Ieuan Wyn Jones (2000–2003) · Dafydd Iwan (2003–2010) · Jillian Evans (2010–present)Chair
(chief executive)Phil Williams (1970–1976) · Ieuan Wyn Jones (1980–1982) Dafydd Iwan (1982–1984) · Syd Morgan (1984–1990) · Ieuan Wyn Jones (1990–1992) · John Dixon (1992–1994) · Jillian Evans (1994–1996) · Marc Phillips (1996–2000) · Elin Jones (2000–2002) · John Dixon (2002–2010) · Gwenllian Lansdown (2010–2011) · Rhuanedd Richards (2011–present)Honorary President Dafydd Wigley (2001–present)Parliamentarians Members of the Welsh Assembly Davies · Elis-Thomas · Evans · Franks · Jenkins · A. F. Jones · E Jones · G Jones · H. M. Jones · I. W. Jones · Lloyd · Ryder · Thomas · WoodMembers of the European Parliament Eurig Wyn (1999–2004) ·
FormerEurig Wyn (1999–2004)CurrentJillian Evans (1999-)History of Plaid Cymru Founders Byddin Ymreolwyr Cymru
(The Welsh Home Rule Army)Y Mudiad Cymreig
(The Welsh Movement)Other co-foundersRelated organisations Categories:- 1951 births
- Living people
- Councillors in Wales
- Plaid Cymru Members of the National Assembly for Wales
- Wales AMs 2007–2011
- Plaid Cymru politicians
- Welsh-speaking people
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