{{Short description|Plaid Cymru politician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Use British English|date=August 2021}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = | name = Bethan Sayed | honorific_suffix = | image = Bethan Jenkins AM (28170817115) (2).jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Jenkins in 2016 | office = [[Member of the Senedd]] <br /> for [[South Wales West (Senedd electoral region)|South Wales West]] | majority = | term_start = 3 May 2007 | term_end = 29 April 2021 | predecessor = [[Janet Davies (Welsh politician)|Janet Davies]] | successor = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1981|12|9}} | birth_place = [[Aberdare]], Wales | birth_name = | party = [[Plaid Cymru]] | other_party = | spouse = | relations = | children = | alma_mater = [[Aberystwyth University]] | occupation = | profession = | cabinet = | committees = | portfolio = | signature = | signature_alt = | website = | footnotes = }} {{Republicanism sidebar}} '''Bethan Sayed''' (née '''Jenkins''', born 9 December 1981) is a Welsh former politician. She represented the [[South Wales West (Senedd electoral region)|South Wales West region]] for [[Plaid Cymru]] as a [[Member of the Senedd]] from 2007 to 2021.
==Early life and education== Sayed was born in [[Aberdare]], the daughter of poet [[Mike Jenkins (poet)|Mike Jenkins]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mikejenkins.net/about-mike.html|title=About Mike|publisher=Mikejenkins.net|access-date=13 April 2016|archive-date=20 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420213840/http://www.mikejenkins.net/about-mike.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> She grew up in [[Merthyr Tydfil]], where both her parents were involved in the [[Anti-Apartheid Movement|anti-apartheid movement]] of the 1980s and early 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mikejenkins.net/mikes-blog/its-appnin-goj|title=It's Appnin, Goj|publisher=Mikejenkins.net|access-date=13 April 2016}}</ref> Her brother is the [[Channel 4 News]] reporter [[Ciaran Jenkins]].
She was educated at [[Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen]], near [[Pontypridd]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/am-joins-old-classmates-school-2199857|title=AM joins old classmates for school awards event |work=Wales Online|date=29 March 2013|access-date=13 April 2016}}</ref> She graduated with a [[Bachelor of Science|BScEcon]] degree in International Politics and International History at the [[University of Wales, Aberystwyth]] in 2005.<ref name="Aber">{{cite web |url= https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/news/archive/2011/06/title-99398-en.html|publisher= [[Aberystwyth University]]|title= Alumni at the Senedd|access-date=14 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lnpt.org/2011/06/30/profile-bethan-jenkins-am/|title=Profile: Bethan Jenkins AM|publisher=Port Talbot Magnet|date=30 June 2011|access-date=13 April 2016}}</ref> Through student politics, she was elected to the [[Aberystwyth Guild of Students]] executive, and was serving as Guild President by 2004.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/4022229.stm|title=Students protest over lighting |publisher=BBC|date=18 November 2004|access-date=13 April 2016}}</ref> With the organisation [[Cymru X]] she has served as a national organiser of the party's youth wing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/writers/315655|title=Bethan Jenkins|work=New Statesman|access-date=13 April 2016}}</ref>
==Senedd== [[File:-SeneddSwansea (22698956512).jpg|thumb|left|Jenkins in 2015]]
In 2006, Jenkins was selected as Plaid Cymru's lead candidate for the South West Wales Regional list and was duly elected in the subsequent [[2007 National Assembly for Wales election|elections of May 2007]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qub.ac.uk/cawp/UKhtmls/AM.htm|title=Women members of the National Assembly for Wales|publisher=Center for Advancement of Women in Politics|access-date=13 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.democraticprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/DPI-Wales-Comparative-Study-Visit-20121.pdf|title=Language, Identity & Cultural Rights and Devolution in Wales|publisher=Democraticprogress.org|access-date=13 April 2016}}</ref> Jenkins was initially Plaid Cymru's Child Poverty and Culture Spokesperson for the Plaid Cymru group at the National Assembly, and sat on the Communities and Culture committee, Audit committee, and the Petitions Committee.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}}
During her first year as an [[Member of the Senedd|AM]] (a member of the then [[National Assembly for Wales|Welsh Assembly]]), she claimed over £10,000 in expenses, including spending £750 per month on a second home in [[Cardiff]] after claiming it would not be possible for her to do her job without the second home.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/am-defends-expense-payments-flat-2159150 |title=AM defends expense payments for flat in Cardiff |work=Wales Online |date=21 August 2008 |access-date=5 July 2018}}</ref> Assembly Members (AMs) representing [[South Wales]] were later barred from claiming a second home allowance, but were permitted to claim up to 20 nights in Cardiff hotels provided they were working the next morning.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/cuts-in-ams-exes-2094250 |title=Cuts in AMs' exes |work=Wales Online |date=16 July 2009 |access-date=5 July 2018}}</ref> In 2013, Jenkins was criticised for claiming a nights stay in a Cardiff hotel after attending a [[Rihanna]] concert. Jenkins later repaid the money claimed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/plaid-am-bethan-jenkins-claimed-4871625 |title=Plaid AM Bethan Jenkins claimed expenses for night in Cardiff hotel after watching Rihanna gig |work=Wales Online |date=5 July 2013 |access-date=5 July 2018}}</ref>
In March 2012, Jenkins was appointed Plaid's spokesperson for Heritage, [[Welsh language]] and Sport.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/welsh-politics/welsh-politics-news/2012/03/21/nuclear-support-sees-lord-elis-thomas-moved-from-environment-in-plaid-reshuffle-91466-30595702/|title=Nuclear support sees Lord Elis Thomas moved from environment in Plaid reshuffle |work=WalesOnline|access-date=13 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-17461506 |work=[[BBC News Online]] |title=Leanne Wood rejigs Plaid Cymru's team |date=21 March 2012 |access-date=13 April 2016 }}</ref> She was chairperson for the Assembly's Cross Party Eating Disorder Group, and formed a new cross party group on human rights.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health/more-must-done-help-patients-9874324 |title=More must be done to help patients with eating disorders in Wales, says cross-party group |work=[[WalesOnline]] |date=18 August 2015 |access-date=13 April 2016 }}</ref> Jenkins has been an outspoken [[Welsh republicanism|republican]]. Alongside her Plaid Cymru colleague, [[Leanne Wood]], she is a member of the group [[Republic (political organisation)|Republic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itv.com/news/wales/update/2012-06-25/bethan-jenkins-appalled-by-labour-criticism/ |title=AM quits Twitter in McGuinness Queen row |publisher=[[ITV News]] |date=25 June 2012 |access-date=13 April 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/plaid-cymru-leader-leanne-wood-2024296 |title=Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood attacked over Welsh republican meeting |work=[[WalesOnline]] |date=18 September 2012 |access-date=13 April 2016 }}</ref> In 2022, she opposed the accession of [[Charles III]] as [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|King of the United Kingdom]] and [[William, Prince of Wales|Prince William]] taking the title "[[Prince of Wales]]" (see [[Opposition to the Prince of Wales title]]).<ref>{{cite news |title=Protests will be 'footnote' as King visits Cardiff says Mark Drakeford |url=https://nation.cymru/news/protests-will-be-footnote-as-king-visits-cardiff-says-mark-drakeford/ |access-date=16 September 2022 |work=[[Nation.Cymru]] |date=16 September 2022}}</ref>
In June 2012, Jenkins called [[Martin McGuinness]], the then [[Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland]], "naive" in light of him meeting [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] at a charity reception. After [[Welsh Labour]] members highlighted the comments, Jenkins said that she was appalled at being accused of "trying to destabilise" the Northern Irish peace process, and that she was giving up [[Twitter]] for the time being.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18582056|title=Bethan Jenkins AM takes break from Twitter after McGuinness-Queen row|work=[[BBC Wales]]|date=25 June 2012|access-date=15 October 2012}}</ref>
Early in the hours of 14 October 2012, Jenkins was arrested by [[South Wales Police]] in [[Llandaff]], Cardiff, for driving erratically. When tested for alcohol, she was more than twice the legal limit. She was released on bail by police pending further enquiries. Jenkins issued a statement, stating that there were "no excuses" for what she had done, and that she had resigned her position as Plaid's spokeswoman on heritage, the [[Welsh language]] and sport. Her statement also stated that she had been receiving professional medical help for [[Major depressive disorder|depression]]. On Monday, 15 October 2012, Jenkins was suspended from the Plaid group of AMs "while the process of justice takes its course".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-19950986|title=Plaid Cymru AM Bethan Jenkins arrested for drink driving|work=[[BBC Wales]]|date=15 October 2012|access-date=15 October 2012}}</ref> On 12 November 2012, Jenkins was charged with drink driving,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-20295328 | work=BBC News | title=Plaid Cymru AM Bethan Jenkins charged with drink-driving | date=12 November 2012}}</ref> and on 19 December was banned from driving for 20 months.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-20783132 |title=Bethan Jenkins AM banned for 20 months for drink-driving |work=BBC News |date=19 December 2012 |access-date=5 July 2018}}</ref>
In August 2020, Sayed announced she would not be standing in the [[2021 Senedd election]].<ref>{{cite tweet |user=bethanmsayed |last=Sayed |first=Bethan |number=1299306421167837188 |title=Now I'm sitting in my living room crying... Glad my baby is sleeping.... Such a hard decision to make to stand down. But my gut is telling me its the right thing to do. Its been a ride! I've loved it. From your megaphone queen, ymlaen! |access-date=28 August 2020 |language=en }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Perkins |first=Liz |date=2020-08-28 |title=Bethan Sayed steps down from the Senedd after 13 years |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/bethan-sayed-steps-down-senedd-18843731 |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=[[WalesOnline]] |language=en}}</ref>
In 2023, in the wake of a damning report that found "a culture of sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination" within Plaid Cymru, Sayed (as Jenkins had become known) said that party leader [[Adam Price]] had known about those issues for years.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 May 2023 |title=Adam Price knew of serious problems within Plaid Cymru five years ago - Bethan Sayed |url=https://nation.cymru/news/adam-price-knew-of-serious-problems-within-plaid-cymru-five-years-ago-bethan-sayed/ |access-date=9 May 2023 |website=Nation.Cymru |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Personal life== In February 2018, she married Rahil Sayed,<ref>{{cite tweet|user=bethanmsayed|number=972415760290197504|title=Twitter is so angry today!}} {{user-generated source|date=July 2023}}</ref> who is originally from [[Mumbai]] and works in [[Bollywood]].<ref name="Meithrin"/> Bethan also announced she would be changing her surname to Sayed for both personal and professional purposes.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=bethanmsayed|number=970605831631835141|title=Please note my change of name. It is my personal and professional name so please update your address books to Bethan Sayed AM! Diolch mawr.|last=Sayed|first=Bethan|access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref> They have a son, Idris.<ref name="Meithrin">{{cite web|url=https://meithrin.cymru/news/baby-steps-into-welsh-bethan-and-rahil-sayed/?lang=en|title=Baby Steps into Welsh - Bethan and Rahil Sayed|date=10 June 2021|publisher=Mudiad Meithrin}}</ref>
Sayed has called for the abolition of the [[Crown Estates]]: {{blockquote|"The Crown Estate owns significant chunks of the Welsh coastline, yet the decisions about how to manage and develop these areas are made by people in another country who have no connection to the people or the land," she said. "That is why we are calling for the Crown Estate to be taken into democratic public ownership. We could choose to use the land for creating new green jobs or investing in renewable energy. Taking this action on the birthday of the King is symbolic – we are saying no more – give us back our land. We hope people from across Wales will take part where Crown Estate land exists nearby – because it most certainly will stretch the length of Wales unfortunately."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://nation.cymru/news/campaigners-plan-protest-against-crown-estates-to-mark-kings-birthday/ | title=Campaigners plan protest against Crown Estates to mark King's birthday | date=12 June 2023 |website=Nation.Cymru}}</ref>}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Office held== {{s-start}} {{s-par|wal}} {{s-bef|before=[[Janet Davies (Welsh politician)|Janet Davies]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Member of the Senedd]] for [[South Wales West (Senedd electoral region)|South Wales West]]|years=[[2007 National Assembly for Wales election|2007]]–[[2021 Senedd election|2021]]}} {{s-inc}} {{s-bef|before=[[Laura Anne Jones]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Baby of the House|years=2007–2016}} {{s-aft|after=[[Steffan Lewis]]}} {{s-inc}} {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=TBD}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Senedd|Shadow Minister for Housing, Poverty, Communities & Steel]]|years= 2016–2021}} {{s-inc}} {{s-end}} {{Welsh MSs 2016–2021}} {{Welsh AMs 2011–2016|state=collapsed}} {{Welsh AMs 2007–2011|state=collapsed}} {{Plaid Cymru}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sayed, Bethan}} [[Category:1981 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Plaid Cymru members of the Senedd]] [[Category:Wales AMs 2007–2011]] [[Category:Wales AMs 2011–2016]] [[Category:Wales MSs 2016–2021]] [[Category:Female members of the Senedd]] [[Category:Alumni of Aberystwyth University]] [[Category:Welsh bloggers]] [[Category:Welsh republicans]] [[Category:People from Aberdare]] [[Category:People from Merthyr Tydfil]] [[Category:People educated at Ysgol Gyfun Garth Olwg]] [[Category:British women bloggers]] [[Category:Welsh women bloggers]] [[Category:Welsh-speaking politicians]] [[Category:Welsh politicians convicted of crimes]]