History will be made when Delme Bowen is sworn in on Thursday as Lord Mayor of Cardiff – the first time a Plaid Cymru councillor has been the capital’s first citizen.
Delme, who represents Creigiau and St Fagans, said: “It’s a landmark for the party and a real honour to be chosen to serve as Lord Mayor. When I first became a member of Cardiff council in 1995, I was the only Plaid councillor along with a single Conservative – it was like being an owl in the wilderness.
“But now Plaid is firmly rooted in the city and, I believe, we’ll increase our role in the years to come so that the council is split between the four main political parties. The activist work of Neil McEvoy (Plaid group leader) and Gwenllian Lansdown (former Riverside councillor) has played a crucial part in increasing our numbers.
“In the past Plaid may have been seen by some as bringing a linguistic divide. That attitude has changed with around a quarter of young people in the city speaking Welsh and a major expansion of Welsh medium education.
“And in recent years Cardiff has been more aware and embraced its role as the capital of Wales, and this has increased since the referendum in 1997 which set up the National Assembly.”
Delme Bowen first became a community councillor in Llantrisant in the early 1980s and also served on Pontyclun Community Council and the former Taff Ely and Mid Glamorgan councils.
“The villages of Creigiau and Pentyrch became part of Cardiff in 1996. I was elected to the shadow authority in 1995 and became the ward member for Creigiau on Cardiff council. My ward was expanded to take in St Fagans in 1999.”
Delme’s role as Lord Mayor means he has to step down as the council’s Executive Member for Traffic and Transport. “I shall miss being an executive member very much and I enjoyed working with WAG to introduce sustainable travel options for the city. One of my proudest initiatives was guiding through the civil enforcement of parking which will help in part to fund future traffic initiatives in the capital.”
His charity for the forthcoming year will be Cancer Research Wales.
Cardiff’s Plaid Cymru group leader Councillor Neil McEvoy said: “Delme’s election as Lord Mayor is a landmark for Plaid and its role in our great capital city.
“I’m certain that Delme will be a superb representative for Cardiff – as he has for his ward over almost three decades – who will fly the flag for the capital at every opportunity.”
