{{Short description|Welsh Conservative politician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}} {{Use British English|date=December 2016}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = | name = Janet Finch-Saunders | honorific_suffix = [[Member of the Senedd|MS]] | image = Janet-finch-saunders.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Finch-Saunders in 2021 | term_start = 6 May 2011 | term_end = | predecessor = [[Gareth Jones (politician)|Gareth Jones]] | constituency1 = [[Aberconwy (Senedd constituency)|Aberconwy]] (2011-2026) [[Bangor Conwy Môn (Senedd constituency)|Bangor Conwy Môn]] (2026-) | successor = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1958|4|28}} | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | resting_place = | birth_name = | party = [[Welsh Conservatives|Conservative]] | other_party = | spouse = Gareth D T Saunders<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/most-networked-place-wales-its-1937676|title=The most networked place in Wales? It's Llandudno, of course!|first=James|last=McCarthy|date=28 February 2010|website=walesonline}}</ref> | relations = | children = | alma_mater = [[Llandrillo College]] | occupation = | profession = | cabinet = | committees = | portfolio = Shadow Minister for Climate Change | signature_alt = | website = http://janetfinchsaunders.org.uk/ | footnotes = | office = [[Member of the Senedd]] }}
'''Janet Elizabeth Finch-Saunders''' (born 1958) is a [[Welsh people|Welsh]] [[Welsh Conservatives|Conservative Party]] politician. She is [[Member of the Senedd]] (MS) for [[Bangor Conwy Môn]], having previously served as MS for the [[Aberconwy (Senedd constituency)|Aberconwy]] constituency.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=Member Profile|url=https://senedd.wales/en/memhome/Pages/MemberProfile.aspx?mid=212|website=Welsh Parliament|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-05-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mosalski |first1=Ruth |title=Wales' Senedd Election results in full as new political map of Wales unveiled |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/wales-senedd-election-results-2026-33858709 |work=Wales Online |date=8 May 2026 |language=en}}</ref>
==Political career== Finch-Saunders previously represented the [[Craig-y-Don|Craig-Y-Don]] ward on [[Llandudno]] Town Council, and [[Conwy County Borough Council]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.llandudno.gov.uk/list-of-councillors |title=Llandudno: List of councillors<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=26 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311181347/http://www.llandudno.gov.uk/list-of-councillors |archive-date=11 March 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Elected in [[2004 Welsh local elections|2004]], she was appointed to the Cabinet with overall responsibility for Community Safety and Public Protection matters.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Conservative Party: Prospective Welsh Assembly Regional Candidate<!-- Bot generated title -->|url=http://www.conservatives.com/People/Prospective_Welsh_Assembly_Regional_Candidates/Finch-Saunders_Janet.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628203858/http://www.conservatives.com/People/Prospective_Welsh_Assembly_Regional_Candidates/Finch-Saunders_Janet.aspx|archive-date=28 June 2011|access-date=26 February 2011}}</ref> During her time as a [[Councillor]], Finch-Saunders was Chair of the Principal Scrutiny Committee and Leader of the [[Welsh Conservatives|Welsh Conservative]] Group.<ref name="auto"/> In 2004, Finch-Saunders was elected as the [[Mayor]] of Llandudno, following in the footsteps of her parents.<ref>{{Cite web|title=About Janet Finch-Saunders MS|url=https://www.janetfinchsaunders.org.uk/about-janet-finch-saunders-ms|website=Janet Finch-Saunders|language=en|access-date=2020-05-18}}</ref>
In the [[2003 National Assembly for Wales election|2003 Senedd election]], Finch-Saunders stood unsuccessfully as the Conservative candidate for [[Wrexham (Senedd constituency)|Wrexham]] and was third on the regional party list.<ref>{{Cite web|title=BBC NEWS {{!}} VOTE 2003|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/vote2003/welsh_assembly/html/21_region.stm|access-date=2019-12-14|website=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> In July 2010, following the first [[Open primary|open primary selection]] to be held in the target seat of Aberconwy, Janet was selected as the Conservative Senedd candidate. In January 2011, she was appointed [[Political consulting|Policy Adviser]] by leader of the [[Welsh Conservatives]]. In this role she advised [[Nick Bourne]] AM on policy involving local government.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Conwy|url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/all-about/conwy|website=www.dailypost.co.uk}}</ref> She was subsequently elected as the Assembly Member for Aberconwy in the [[2011 National Assembly for Wales election]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=2011 Assembly Election Results|url=https://senedd.wales/Research%20Documents/2011%20Assembly%20Election%20Results%20-%20Research%20paper-18052011-216014/11-023-English.pdf|last=Service|first=Research|date=2011|website=Senedd Cymru}}</ref>
Finch-Saunders initiated the Cross-Party Group on Small Shops during the [[Members of the 5th National Assembly for Wales|Fourth Assembly]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-05-18|title=Cross Party Group – Small Shops|url=https://business.senedd.wales/mgOutsideBodyDetails.aspx?ID=463|access-date=2020-05-18|website=business.senedd.wales|language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Cyfrif Etholiad y Cynulliad West Clwyd and Aberconwy Count National Assembly Election 2016 26.JPG|thumb|left|Aberconwy vote count at the 2016 Assembly election (L-R: Finch Saunders, Sarah Lesiter-Burgess, Petra Haig, Mike Priestley, Trystan Lewis)]] In the [[2016 National Assembly for Wales election|2016 Senedd election]], Finch-Saunders retained her seat, becoming the first person to be re-elected consecutively since the [[constituency]]'s inception.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Conservatives hold Aberconwy for Janet Finch-Saunders|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conservatives-hold-aberconwy-janet-finch-11292375|last=Powell|first=David|date=2016-05-06|website=North Wales Daily Post|access-date=2020-05-18}}</ref> Finch-Saunders served as [[Welsh Government|Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Local Government]] from 2011 to 2018, before becoming the party's Shadow Minister for Social Care, Children, Young People, and Older People.<ref>{{Cite web|title=New appointments this week in UK politics, the civil service and public affairs|url=https://www.politicshome.com/members/article/new-appointments-this-week-in-uk-politics-the-civil-service-and-public-affairs-58222|date=2020-02-25|website=PoliticsHome|language=en|access-date=2020-05-18}}</ref>
During the [[Members of the 5th National Assembly for Wales|fifth Senedd]], she was the Chair of the [[Welsh Conservatives|Welsh Conservative]] Group in the [[Senedd]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Covid: Senedd drinking a 'possible breach' of Wales alcohol ban|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-55749415|access-date=2021-02-18|website=BBC News|language=en}}</ref> From July 2018 until January 2019, Finch-Saunders employed her husband as office manager.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|date=2016-07-13|title=Register of interests for Janet Finch-Saunders MS|url=https://business.senedd.wales/mgDeclarationSubmission.aspx?UID=212&HID=1260&FID=0&HPID=1015378284|access-date=2021-04-01|website=business.senedd.wales|language=en-gb}}</ref> In 2019, Janet was elected Chair of the Petitions Committee.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Aberconwy AM elected as new Chairperson of the National Assembly for Wales Petitions Committee|url=https://www.janetfinchsaunders.org.uk/news/aberconwy-am-elected-new-chairperson-national-assembly-wales-petitions-committee|access-date=2020-05-18|website=Janet Finch-Saunders|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Committee Profile|url=https://senedd.wales/en/bus-home/committees/Pages/Committee-Profile.aspx?cid=430|access-date=2020-05-18|website=Welsh Parliament|language=en-GB|archive-date=10 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610080531/https://senedd.wales/en/bus-home/committees/Pages/Committee-Profile.aspx?cid=430|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2020, Finch-Saunders was made the Shadow Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=About/Am Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS|url=https://www.janetfinchsaunders.org.uk/aboutam-janet-finch-saunders-msas|access-date=2021-02-18|website=Janet Finch-Saunders|language=en}}</ref>
In the [[2021 Senedd election]], Finch-Saunders held the seat with an increased majority of 3,336 and securing 41.69% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mosalski|first=Ruth|date=2021-05-07|title=Senedd Election 2021 result for Aberconwy: Conservatives hold|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/aberconwy-senedd-election-2021-candidates-20515734|access-date=2021-05-27|website=WalesOnline|language=en}}</ref> In May 2021, she was appointed as the Shadow Minister for Climate Change.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-05-27|title=Welsh election: Fresh faces in new Conservative Senedd team|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-57253561|access-date=2021-05-27}}</ref>
In the Sixth Senedd, she has been a member of the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee, the [[Llywydd of the Senedd#Llywydd's Committee|Llywydd's Committee]] and the [[Senedd Commission]]. She is also a member of cross party groups on the Active Travel Act, Biodiversity, Clean Air, Fuel Poverty and Energy Efficiency, Hospice and Palliative Care, North Wales, Older People and Aging, Renewable and Low Carbon Energy, and Small Shops.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Janet Finch-Saunders MS |url=https://senedd.wales/people/janet-finch-saunders-ms/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=senedd.wales |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In the [[2026 Senedd election]], she was elected for the [[Bangor Conwy Môn (Senedd constituency)|Bangor Conwy Môn constituency]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-24 |title=Janet Finch-Saunders to head Bangor Conwy Môn seat for the Welsh Conservatives |url=https://www.janetfinchsaunders.org.uk/news/janet-finch-saunders-head-bangor-conwy-mon-seat-welsh-conservatives |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS |language=en}}</ref>
=== Allegations of Staff Mistreatment === In 2022, reports emerged that she had allegedly been mistreating her office staff, who were described as being "left in tears" and she is alleged to have phoned them if she felt they had taken too long while they were on the toilet.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/welsh-politician-who-constantly-needs-25605916|title=The Welsh politician who constantly needs to find new people to work for her|first=Will|last=Hayward|date=27 November 2022|website=WalesOnline}}</ref> Finch Saunders has the highest turnover of staff of any elected member of the Senedd. As a consequence, WalesOnline journalist, Will Hayward, now keeps a running tally of when Janet begins hiring again on the Senedd website on his X (formerly [[Twitter]]) account.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Will Hayward X Account Link |url=https://x.com/WillHayCardiff/status/1746820185783185490?s=20}}</ref>
== Personal life == Finch-Sanders lives in Llandudno and has two children with her husband, Gareth. An [[entrepreneur]], Janet has founded a number of local businesses.<ref>{{cite web|title=Janet Finch-Saunders MS|url=https://senedd.wales/people/janet-finch-saunders-ms/|access-date=27 May 2021|website=senedd.wales|language=en-GB}}</ref> A keen sailor, she is also passionate about animals and [[marine conservation]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Janet Finch-Saunders to stand for Parliament|url=https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17907158.assembly-member-stand-parliament/|website=North Wales Pioneer|language=en|access-date=2019-12-14}}</ref>
Finch-Saunders owns 7 residential and 4 retail properties and is a trustee of a further two residential properties in [[Llandudno]].<ref name="auto1"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.janetfinchsaunders.org.uk/ Janet Finch-Saunders] ''Official website''
==Offices held== {{s-start}} {{s-par|wal}} {{s-bef|before=[[Gareth Jones (Welsh politician)|Gareth Jones]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Member of the Senedd]] for [[Aberconwy (Senedd constituency)|Aberconwy]]|years=[[2011 National Assembly for Wales election|2011]]–present}} {{s-inc}} {{s-off}} {{succession box | before= TBC | title = [[Welsh Government|Shadow Minister for Local Government]] | years= 2011–2016 | after= [[Siân Gwenllian]] }} {{s-end}} {{Current MSs}} {{Welsh MSs 2021–2026|state=collapsed}} {{Welsh MSs 2016–2021|state=collapsed}} {{Welsh AMs 2011–2016|state=collapsed}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Finch-Saunders, Janet}} [[Category:1958 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Conservative Party members of the Senedd]] [[Category:Female members of the Senedd]] [[Category:Councillors in Wales]] [[Category:Wales AMs 2011–2016]] [[Category:Wales MSs 2016–2021]] [[Category:Wales MSs 2021–2026]] [[Category:Wales MSs 2026–2031]] [[Category:School governors]] [[Category:People from Llandudno]] [[Category:Welsh sailors]] [[Category:Welsh environmentalists]] [[Category:Women councillors in Wales]]