Gareth Thomas (Welsh politician)
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Gareth Thomas (born 1954) is a Labour politician in the United Kingdom. He was Member of Parliament for Clwyd West 1997-2005.
Born in Penygroes, Caernarfonshire, Thomas is the son of a toolmaker. Although brought up on Merseyside he is a fluent Welsh language speaker. After graduating in Law from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, he was initially employed in the insurance industry and managed a loss adjusting company in the West Indies. He has been a barrister in a private practice since 1986 specialising in personal injury litigation and is a member of Amicus.
A member of Flintshire County Council between 1995-97, Thomas was elected to Parliament in the 1997 general election. His political interests include Wales, legal reform, social security and the environment. He was a member of the Select Committee on Welsh Affairs, the Select Committee on Social Security and the Joint Human Rights Committee. Following the 2001 General Election he was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Wales, Paul Murphy and in October 2002 moved with Murphy to the Northern Ireland Office in the same capacity. He was a member of Labour’s Parliamentary Campaign Team.
Thomas was narrowly defeated by Conservative candidate David Jones at the 2005 General Election. Before 1997, Clwyd West had been regarded as a safe Conservative seat and appears to be reverting to its traditional character.
Outside of politics, Thomas' interests include restoring old buildings, traditional rural crafts and Italy. He lives in Llanfwrog, near Ruthin, and has two children.
