Huw Robert Jones

Welsh politician

Huw Robert Jones (1894 – August 1930), known as H. R. Jones, was a Welsh nationalist politician.

Jones was born in Ebenezer in Caernarfonshire,^[1] where he worked in the quarries from the age of thirteen,^[2] and later as a travelling grocery salesman.^[3] He led a campaign to rename his home village as "Deiniolen", which was successful.^[1] Always a strong proponent of home rule for Wales, in 1924 he founded the Welsh Home Rule Army and,^[1] as one of its three most prominent leaders, he attended the founding meeting of Plaid Cymru.^[4] Saunders Lewis referred to Jones as the only Welsh nationalist who "would have received a post from Michael Collins".^[5]^: 284

Plaid was founded in a hotel in Pwllheli, while the National Eisteddfod was underway.^[4] Jones was chosen as its first general secretary, but the other party founders convinced him to avoid non-violent direct action in their cause.^[6] In 1928, he stood for election to the county council in Upper Deiniolen, the party's only candidate, but he was not elected.^[7]

Although popular with party members, he was not regarded as an effective organiser.^[8] He contracted tuberculosis and in 1928, he became aware that he did not have long to live. He was compelled to scale back his role until his death in 1930.^[2]^[8]

After Jones' death, Gwenallt composed "Breuddwyd y Bardd" in his honour.^[2]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c John Davies et al, The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales, p.424
^ ^a ^b ^c Meic Stephens, The New Companion to the Literature of Wales, p.382
^ D. Hywel Davies, The Welsh Nationalist Party, 1925-1945, pp.26, 44
^ ^a ^b D. Hywel Davies, The Welsh Nationalist Party, 1925-1945, p.61
^ De Barra, Caoimhín (2018). The Coming of the Celts, AD 1860: Celtic Nationalism in Ireland and Wales. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press. ISBN 9780268103378.
^ D. Hywel Davies, The Welsh Nationalist Party, 1925-1945, p.69
^ "Forming Plaid Cymru", National Library of Wales Journal (1983)
^ ^a ^b D. Hywel Davies, The Welsh Nationalist Party, 1925-1945, p.212

Party political offices
Preceded by New position	General Secretary of Plaid Cymru 1925–1930	Succeeded by John Edward Jones

Plaid Cymru

Leadership
Leaders	Ieuan Wyn Jones (2006–2012) Leanne Wood (2012–2018) Adam Price (2018–2023) Llyr Gruffydd (acting, 2023) Rhun ap Iorwerth (2023–present)
Senedd Group Leaders party leader since 2006	Dafydd Wigley (1999–2000) Ieuan Wyn Jones (2000–2012) Leanne Wood (2012–2018) Adam Price (2018–2023) Llyr Gruffydd (acting, 2023) Rhun ap Iorwerth (2023–present)
Presidents party leader pre-2003 abolished 2013	Lewis Valentine (1925–1926) Saunders Lewis (1926–1939) John Edward Daniel (1939–1943) Abi Williams (1943–1945) Gwynfor Evans (1945–1981) Dafydd Wigley (1981–1984) Dafydd Elis-Thomas (1984–1991) Dafydd Wigley (1991–2000) Ieuan Wyn Jones (2000–2003) Dafydd Iwan (2003–2010) Jill Evans (2010–2013)
Vice-Presidents abolished 2013	Saunders Lewis (1925–1926) John Edward Daniel (1931–1939) Gwynfor Evans (1943–1945) Waldo Williams R. E. Holland W. R. P. George R. Tudur Jones (1957–1962) Wynne Samuel (1962–1964) Chris Rees (1964–1966) Edward Millward (1966–1968) Phil Williams (1968–1970) Robyn Léwis (1970–1976) Phil Williams (1976–1978) Dafydd Elis-Thomas (1979–1981) Phil Williams (1982–1984) Dafydd Iwan (1984–2003) Jill Evans (2003–2010) Chris Franks (2010–2013)
Chairs	Chris Rees (1966–1970) Phil Williams (1970–1976) Eurfyl ap Gwilym (1976–1980) Ieuan Wyn Jones (1980–1982) Dafydd Iwan (1982–1984) Syd Morgan (1984–1990) Ieuan Wyn Jones (1990–1992) John Dixon (1992–1994) Jill Evans (1994–1996) Marc Phillips (1996–2000) Elin Jones (2000–2002) John Dixon (2002–2010) Gwenllian Lansdown (2010–2011) Rhuanedd Richards (2011–2012) Helen Mary Jones (2012–2013) Dafydd Trystan Davies (2013–2018) Alun Ffred Jones (2018–present)
Honorary Presidents	Gwynfor Evans (1982–2005) Dafydd Wigley (2005–present)
Leadership elections	1945 1981 1984 1991 2000 2003 2012 2018 2023

Parliamentarians

European Parliament (MEPs)

Eurig Wyn (1999–2004)
Jill Evans (1999–2020)

Senedd (MSs)
Welsh Assembly (AMs)

Former	Rhys ab Owen Mohammad Asghar Cynog Dafis Geraint Davies Jocelyn Davies Dafydd Elis-Thomas Nerys Evans Chris Franks Brian Hancock Pauline Jarman Alun Jones Gareth Jones Helen Mary Jones Steffan Lewis David Lloyd Neil McEvoy Janet Ryder Bethan Sayed Owen Thomas Rhodri Thomas Simon Thomas Lindsay Whittle Dafydd Wigley Phil Williams Leanne Wood Ieuan Wyn Jones
Current	Mabon ap Gwynfor Cefin Campbell Luke Fletcher Heledd Fychan Peredur Owen Griffiths Llyr Gruffydd Siân Gwenllian Delyth Jewell Elin Jones Rhun ap Iorwerth Adam Price Sioned Williams

British Parliament

House of Commons (MPs)

Former	Cynog Dafis (1992–2000) Jonathan Edwards (2010–2020, 2022) Dafydd Elis-Thomas (1974–1992) Gwynfor Evans (1966–1970, 1974–1979) Ieuan Wyn Jones (1987–2001) Elfyn Llwyd (1992–2015) Adam Price (2001–2010) Simon Thomas (2000–2005) Dafydd Wigley (1974–2001)
Current	Ben Lake Liz Saville Roberts Hywel Williams

House of Lords (Peers)

Organisation

History

Founders

Byddin Ymreolwyr Cymru (Welsh Home Rule Army)	Moses Gruffydd Huw Robert Jones Lewis Valentine
Y Mudiad Cymreig (Welsh Movement)	Fred Jones Saunders Lewis David Edmund Williams
Others	Ambrose Bebb David James Davies D. J. Williams