# Janet Finch-Saunders

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Janet_Finch-Saunders
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Janet_Finch-Saunders.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Finch-Saunders
> Source revision: 1354512105
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Welsh Conservative politician

Janet Finch-Saunders MS Finch-Saunders in 2021 Member of the Senedd Incumbent Assumed office 6 May 2011 Preceded by Gareth Jones Constituency Aberconwy (2011-2026) Bangor Conwy Môn (2026-) Personal details Born (1958-04-28) 28 April 1958 (age 68) Party Conservative Spouse Gareth D T Saunders[1] Alma mater Llandrillo College Portfolio Shadow Minister for Climate Change Website http://janetfinchsaunders.org.uk/

**Janet Elizabeth Finch-Saunders** (born 1958) is a [Welsh](/source/Welsh_people) [Conservative Party](/source/Welsh_Conservatives) politician. She is [Member of the Senedd](/source/Member_of_the_Senedd) (MS) for [Bangor Conwy Môn](/source/Bangor_Conwy_M%C3%B4n), having previously served as MS for the [Aberconwy](/source/Aberconwy_(Senedd_constituency)) constituency.[2][3]

## Political career

Finch-Saunders previously represented the [Craig-Y-Don](/source/Craig-y-Don) ward on [Llandudno](/source/Llandudno) Town Council, and [Conwy County Borough Council](/source/Conwy_County_Borough_Council).[4] Elected in [2004](/source/2004_Welsh_local_elections), she was appointed to the Cabinet with overall responsibility for Community Safety and Public Protection matters.[5] During her time as a [Councillor](/source/Councillor), Finch-Saunders was Chair of the Principal Scrutiny Committee and Leader of the [Welsh Conservative](/source/Welsh_Conservatives) Group.[2] In 2004, Finch-Saunders was elected as the [Mayor](/source/Mayor) of Llandudno, following in the footsteps of her parents.[6]

In the [2003 Senedd election](/source/2003_National_Assembly_for_Wales_election), Finch-Saunders stood unsuccessfully as the Conservative candidate for [Wrexham](/source/Wrexham_(Senedd_constituency)) and was third on the regional party list.[7] In July 2010, following the first [open primary selection](/source/Open_primary) to be held in the target seat of Aberconwy, Janet was selected as the Conservative Senedd candidate. In January 2011, she was appointed [Policy Adviser](/source/Political_consulting) by leader of the [Welsh Conservatives](/source/Welsh_Conservatives). In this role she advised [Nick Bourne](/source/Nick_Bourne) AM on policy involving local government.[8] She was subsequently elected as the Assembly Member for Aberconwy in the [2011 National Assembly for Wales election](/source/2011_National_Assembly_for_Wales_election).[9]

Finch-Saunders initiated the Cross-Party Group on Small Shops during the [Fourth Assembly](/source/Members_of_the_5th_National_Assembly_for_Wales).[10]

Aberconwy vote count at the 2016 Assembly election (L-R: Finch Saunders, Sarah Lesiter-Burgess, Petra Haig, Mike Priestley, Trystan Lewis)

In the [2016 Senedd election](/source/2016_National_Assembly_for_Wales_election), Finch-Saunders retained her seat, becoming the first person to be re-elected consecutively since the [constituency](/source/Constituency)'s inception.[11] Finch-Saunders served as [Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Local Government](/source/Welsh_Government) from 2011 to 2018, before becoming the party's Shadow Minister for Social Care, Children, Young People, and Older People.[12]

During the [fifth Senedd](/source/Members_of_the_5th_National_Assembly_for_Wales), she was the Chair of the [Welsh Conservative](/source/Welsh_Conservatives) Group in the [Senedd](/source/Senedd).[13] From July 2018 until January 2019, Finch-Saunders employed her husband as office manager.[14] In 2019, Janet was elected Chair of the Petitions Committee.[15][16] In 2020, Finch-Saunders was made the Shadow Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs.[17]

In the [2021 Senedd election](/source/2021_Senedd_election), Finch-Saunders held the seat with an increased majority of 3,336 and securing 41.69% of the vote.[18] In May 2021, she was appointed as the Shadow Minister for Climate Change.[19]

In the Sixth Senedd, she has been a member of the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee, the [Llywydd's Committee](/source/Llywydd_of_the_Senedd#Llywydd's_Committee) and the [Senedd Commission](/source/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.[20]

In the [2026 Senedd election](/source/2026_Senedd_election), she was elected for the [Bangor Conwy Môn constituency](/source/Bangor_Conwy_M%C3%B4n_(Senedd_constituency)).[21]

### 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.[22] 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](/source/Twitter)) account.[23]

## Personal life

Finch-Sanders lives in Llandudno and has two children with her husband, Gareth. An [entrepreneur](/source/Entrepreneur), Janet has founded a number of local businesses.[24] A keen sailor, she is also passionate about animals and [marine conservation](/source/Marine_conservation).[25]

Finch-Saunders owns 7 residential and 4 retail properties and is a trustee of a further two residential properties in [Llandudno](/source/Llandudno).[14]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** McCarthy, James (28 February 2010). ["The most networked place in Wales? It's Llandudno, of course!"](http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/most-networked-place-wales-its-1937676). *walesonline*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-auto_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-auto_2-1) ["Member Profile"](https://senedd.wales/en/memhome/Pages/MemberProfile.aspx?mid=212). *Welsh Parliament*. Retrieved 18 May 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Mosalski, Ruth (8 May 2026). ["Wales' Senedd Election results in full as new political map of Wales unveiled"](https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/wales-senedd-election-results-2026-33858709). *Wales Online*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Llandudno: List of councillors"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110311181347/http://www.llandudno.gov.uk/list-of-councillors). Archived from [the original](http://www.llandudno.gov.uk/list-of-councillors) on 11 March 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Conservative Party: Prospective Welsh Assembly Regional Candidate"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110628203858/http://www.conservatives.com/People/Prospective_Welsh_Assembly_Regional_Candidates/Finch-Saunders_Janet.aspx). Archived from [the original](http://www.conservatives.com/People/Prospective_Welsh_Assembly_Regional_Candidates/Finch-Saunders_Janet.aspx) on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["About Janet Finch-Saunders MS"](https://www.janetfinchsaunders.org.uk/about-janet-finch-saunders-ms). *Janet Finch-Saunders*. Retrieved 18 May 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["BBC NEWS | VOTE 2003"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/vote2003/welsh_assembly/html/21_region.stm). *news.bbc.co.uk*. Retrieved 14 December 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Conwy"](https://www.dailypost.co.uk/all-about/conwy). *www.dailypost.co.uk*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Service, Research (2011). ["2011 Assembly Election Results"](https://senedd.wales/Research%20Documents/2011%20Assembly%20Election%20Results%20-%20Research%20paper-18052011-216014/11-023-English.pdf) (PDF). *Senedd Cymru*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Cross Party Group – Small Shops"](https://business.senedd.wales/mgOutsideBodyDetails.aspx?ID=463). *business.senedd.wales*. 18 May 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Powell, David (6 May 2016). ["Conservatives hold Aberconwy for Janet Finch-Saunders"](http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conservatives-hold-aberconwy-janet-finch-11292375). *North Wales Daily Post*. Retrieved 18 May 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["New appointments this week in UK politics, the civil service and public affairs"](https://www.politicshome.com/members/article/new-appointments-this-week-in-uk-politics-the-civil-service-and-public-affairs-58222). *PoliticsHome*. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Covid: Senedd drinking a 'possible breach' of Wales alcohol ban"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-55749415). *BBC News*. Retrieved 18 February 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-auto1_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-auto1_14-1) ["Register of interests for Janet Finch-Saunders MS"](https://business.senedd.wales/mgDeclarationSubmission.aspx?UID=212&HID=1260&FID=0&HPID=1015378284). *business.senedd.wales*. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Aberconwy AM elected as new Chairperson of the National Assembly for Wales Petitions Committee"](https://www.janetfinchsaunders.org.uk/news/aberconwy-am-elected-new-chairperson-national-assembly-wales-petitions-committee). *Janet Finch-Saunders*. Retrieved 18 May 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Committee Profile"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200610080531/https://senedd.wales/en/bus-home/committees/Pages/Committee-Profile.aspx?cid=430). *Welsh Parliament*. Archived from [the original](https://senedd.wales/en/bus-home/committees/Pages/Committee-Profile.aspx?cid=430) on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["About/Am Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS"](https://www.janetfinchsaunders.org.uk/aboutam-janet-finch-saunders-msas). *Janet Finch-Saunders*. Retrieved 18 February 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Mosalski, Ruth (7 May 2021). ["Senedd Election 2021 result for Aberconwy: Conservatives hold"](https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/aberconwy-senedd-election-2021-candidates-20515734). *WalesOnline*. Retrieved 27 May 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Welsh election: Fresh faces in new Conservative Senedd team"](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-57253561). *BBC News*. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Janet Finch-Saunders MS"](https://senedd.wales/people/janet-finch-saunders-ms/). *senedd.wales*. Retrieved 23 May 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Janet Finch-Saunders to head Bangor Conwy Môn seat for the Welsh Conservatives"](https://www.janetfinchsaunders.org.uk/news/janet-finch-saunders-head-bangor-conwy-mon-seat-welsh-conservatives). *Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS*. 24 March 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Hayward, Will (27 November 2022). ["The Welsh politician who constantly needs to find new people to work for her"](https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/welsh-politician-who-constantly-needs-25605916). *WalesOnline*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Will Hayward X Account Link"](https://x.com/WillHayCardiff/status/1746820185783185490?s=20).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Janet Finch-Saunders MS"](https://senedd.wales/people/janet-finch-saunders-ms/). *senedd.wales*. Retrieved 27 May 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:0_25-0)** ["Janet Finch-Saunders to stand for Parliament"](https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17907158.assembly-member-stand-parliament/). *North Wales Pioneer*. Retrieved 14 December 2019.

## External links

- [Janet Finch-Saunders](https://www.janetfinchsaunders.org.uk/) *Official website*

## Offices held

Senedd Preceded by Gareth Jones Member of the Senedd for Aberconwy 2011–present Incumbent Political offices Preceded by TBC Shadow Minister for Local Government 2011–2016 Succeeded by Siân Gwenllian

v t e Current members of the Senedd 7th Senedd 2026 Senedd election Plaid Cymru (43) Lyn Ackerman Zaynub Akbar Mabon ap Gwynfor Rhun ap lorwerth (leader) Beca Brown Anna Brychan Cefin Campbell Nick Carter Alun Cox Sara Crowley Donna Cushing Dafydd Trystan Davies John Davies Safa Elhassan Nerys Evans Sera Evans Kerry Ferguson Heledd Fychan Leticia Gonzalez Peredur Owen Griffiths Llŷr Gruffydd Siân Gwenllian Carrie Harper Mark Hooper Delyth Jewell Elin Jones Marc Jones Matthew Jones Kiera Marshall Becca Martin Lis McLean Anna Nicholl Rebeca Phillips Adam Price Sarah Rees Mair Rowlands Niamh Salkeld Elyn Stephens Elwyn Vaughan Lindsay Whittle Elfed Williams Gwyn Williams Sioned Williams Reform UK Wales (34) Claire Archibald Steve Bayliss Gareth Beer John Clark Carmelo Colasanto Sarah Cooper-Lesadd Catherine Cullen Sarah Edwards Louise Emery Cristiana Emsley James Evans Andrew Griffin David Hughes Helen Jenner Claire Johnson-Wood Laura Anne Jones Joshua Kim Paul Marr Joe Martin Adrian Mason Iain McIntosh Benjamin McKenna David Mills Thomas Montgomery Francesca O'Brien Jason O'Connell Cai Parry-Jones Llŷr Powell Steven Rodaway Stephen Senior Dan Thomas (leader) Gareth Thomas Nigel Williams Art Wright Welsh Labour (9) Jayne Bryant Mike Hedges Vikki Howells Huw Irranca-Davies Sarah Murphy Lynne Neagle Ken Skates (leader) Shav Taj Huw Thomas Welsh Conservatives (7) Natasha Asghar Paul Davies Andrew RT Davies Janet Finch-Saunders Peter Fox Darren Millar (leader) Sam Rowlands Wales Green Party (2) Paul Rock Anthony Slaughter (leader) Welsh Liberal Democrats (1) Jane Dodds (leader) Llywydd (presiding officer): Huw Irranca-Davies

v t e Members of the Senedd 2021–2026 6th Senedd Labour (29-30) Mick Antoniw Hannah Blythyn Dawn Bowden Jayne Bryant Hefin David (died Aug 2025) Alun Davies Mark Drakeford († till Mar 2024) Rebecca Evans Vaughan Gething († Mar-Jul 2024) John Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Mike Hedges Vikki Howells Jane Hutt Huw Irranca-Davies Julie James Jeremy Miles Eluned MorganR† († since Jul 2024) Julie Morgan Sarah Murphy Lynne Neagle Rhianon Passmore Jenny Rathbone David Rees Jack Sargeant Ken Skates Carolyn ThomasR Lee Waters Joyce WatsonR Buffy Williams Conservatives (14-16) Natasha AsgharR Andrew RT DaviesR († till Dec 2024) Paul Davies Gareth Davies James Evans ( –Jan 2026) Janet Finch-Saunders Peter Fox Russell George ( –Apr 2025) Tom GiffardR Altaf HussainR Mark IsherwoodR Joel JamesR Laura Anne JonesR ( –Jul 2025) Samuel Kurtz Darren Millar † († since Dec 2024) Sam RowlandsR Plaid Cymru (12-13) Rhys ab OwenR ( –Nov 2022) Cefin CampbellR Luke FletcherR Heledd FychanR Llŷr Huws GruffyddR Peredur Owen GriffithsR Mabon ap Gwynfor Siân Gwenllian Rhun ap Iorwerth † († since June 2023) Delyth JewellR Elin Jones Adam Price († till May 2023) Lindsay Whittle (since Oct 2025) Sioned WilliamsR Liberal Democrats (1) Jane DoddsR† Reform (0-2) James Evans (Jan 2026– ) Laura Anne JonesR (Jul 2025– ) Independent (0-1) Rhys ab OwenR (Nov 2022– ) Russell George (Apr 2025– ) Llywydd (presiding officer): Elin Jones † = Party leaders R = Regional MS

v t e Members of the National Assembly for Wales / Senedd 2016–2021 5th Assembly Labour (28/29) Mick Antoniw Hannah Blythyn Dawn Bowden Jayne Bryant Hefin David Alun Davies (–Jan 2021, Feb 2021–)××× Mark Drakeford † Rebecca Evans Vaughan Gething John Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Mike Hedges Vikki Howells Jane Hutt Huw Irranca-Davies Julie James Ann Jones Carwyn Jones († till Dec 2018) Jeremy Miles Eluned MorganR Julie Morgan Lynne Neagle Rhianon Passmore Jenny Rathbone David Rees Carl Sargeant (died Nov 2017) Jack Sargeant (Feb 2018–) Ken Skates Lee Waters Joyce WatsonR Conservatives (12-10) Mohammad AsgharR (died Jun 2020) Angela Burns Andrew RT DaviesR † († till June 2018, Jan 2021–) Paul Davies († Sept 2018–Jan 2021) Suzy DaviesR Janet Finch-Saunders Russell George Mark IsherwoodR Laura Anne JonesR (Jul 2020–) David MeldingR Darren Millar Nick Ramsay (–Dec 2019, Feb 2020–)×× Mark RecklessR (Apr 2017–May 2019)× Plaid Cymru (12-10) Dafydd Elis-Thomas (–Oct 2016) Llyr GruffyddR Siân Gwenllian Rhun ap Iorwerth Delyth JewellR (Jan 2019– ) Elin Jones Helen Mary Jones (Aug 2018– ) Steffan LewisR (died Jan 2019) David LloydR Neil McEvoyR (–Jan 2018) Adam Price † Bethan SayedR Simon ThomasR (–Jul 2018) Leanne Wood († till Sept 2018) UKIP (1-7) Gareth BennettR (–Nov 2019, † Oct 2018–May 2019) Michelle BrownR (–March 2019) Nathan GillR (–Sep 2016) Neil HamiltonR († till May 2018) Caroline JonesR (–May 2019, † May–Oct 2018) Mandy Jones (Dec 2017) Mark RecklessR (–Apr 2017) David RowlandsR (–May 2019) Brexit Party (0-4) Caroline JonesR (May 2019–Aug 2020) Mandy Jones (May 2019–Oct 2020) Mark RecklessR (May 2019–) David RowlandsR (May 2019–Oct 2020) Independent Alliance for Reform (0-3) Mandy Jones (Oct 2020–) Caroline JonesR (Oct 2020–) David RowlandsR (Oct 2020–) Liberal Democrats (1) Kirsty Williams Welsh National Party/Propel (0-1) Neil McEvoyR (Jan 2020–) Independent (0-4) Gareth BennettR (Nov 2019– ) Michelle BrownR (March 2019–) Alun Davies (Jan–Feb 2021) Dafydd Elis-Thomas (Oct 2016– ) Nathan GillR (Sep 2016–Dec 2017) Caroline JonesR (Aug 2020–Oct 2020) Mandy Jones (Jan 2018–May 2019) Neil McEvoyR (Jan 2018–Jan 2020) Nick Ramsay (Jan 2020–Feb 2020) Presiding Officer: Elin Jones † = Party leaders. R = Regional MS × Member of the Conservative group but not party ×× Suspended from Conservative group 2 Jan 2020 to 13 Feb 2020 ××× Suspended from Labour group 19 Jan - 23 Feb 2021

v t e Members of the National Assembly for Wales 2011–2016 4th Assembly Labour (30) Leighton Andrews Mick Antoniw (Rosemary Butler) Christine Chapman Jeffrey Cuthbert Alun Davies Keith Davies Mark Drakeford Carwyn Jones † Rebecca Evans Vaughan Gething Janice Gregory John Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Edwina Hart Mike Hedges Jane Hutt Julie James Ann Jones Huw Lewis Sandy Mewies Julie Morgan Lynne Neagle Gwyn R Price Jenny Rathbone David Rees Carl Sargeant Ken Skates Gwenda Thomas Joyce Watson Conservatives (14) Mohammad Asghar Angela Burns Andrew RT Davies † Byron Davies (until May 2015) Paul Davies Suzy Davies Janet Finch-Saunders Russell George William Graham Janet Haworth (from May 2015) Altaf Hussain (from May 2015) Mark Isherwood David Melding Darren Millar Nick Ramsay Antoinette Sandbach (until May 2015) Plaid Cymru (11) Jocelyn Davies Llyr Gruffydd Bethan Jenkins Alun Ffred Jones Elin Jones Ieuan Wyn Jones † (leader until 2012/AM until June 2013) Rhodri Glyn Thomas Leanne Wood † (leader from March 2012) Rhun ap Iorwerth (from Aug 2013) Simon Thomas Lindsay Whittle Liberal Democrats (5) Peter Black Eluned Parrott William Powell Aled Roberts Kirsty Williams † Presiding Officer: Rosemary Butler † = Party leaders

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Janet Finch-Saunders](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Finch-Saunders) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Finch-Saunders?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.