A WOMAN from Anglesey has become the youngest ever life peer after being introduced to the House of Lords today.

At the age of 28, Plaid Cymru’s Carmen Smith took her seat as Baroness Smith of Llanfaes.

She succeeds as the youngest ever life peer Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge, who was made a life peer in July 2023 at the age of 30.

Ms Smith was introduced to the Lords by former Plaid leader Lord Wigley of Caernarfon and former Green Party leader Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle.

She took the oath in Welsh.

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Llanfaes is the village on Ynys Mon where she grew up - she chose the title to “shine a light on the experiences of people in areas like mine”.

Plaid Cymrus honorary President and former leader Dafydd Wigley with Carmen Smith. Image: Parliamentlive.tv

Plaid Cymru's honorary President and former leader Dafydd Wigley with Carmen Smith. Image: Parliamentlive.tv

 

Ahead of her introduction to the House of Lords, Ms Smith said: “As I am introduced to the House of Lords as its youngest member today, I will be acutely aware of the unique responsibility I hold to be a voice for my generation.

“We came of age amidst the global recession and austerity, seeing the decimation of youth services and the growing mental health crisis.

“Against the backdrop of looming climate catastrophe, we face stark wealth disparities, soaring debts, unaffordable housing, and precarious employment. We are incensed by the injustices suffered by so many in our society.

“As a young carer to my late father, I experienced the kind of struggles that so many people face every day – the same barriers, the same prejudices.

“As someone who grew up in a rural, underprivileged area, I experienced the lack of connectedness, lack of infrastructure, that so many of our communities still face.

“I chose ‘Llanfaes’ as my title as I wanted to send a message. I wanted to shine a light on the experiences of people in areas like mine.

“My experiences are far from unique, but are a world away from the reality lived by most in Westminster.

“Across Wales, young voices are drowned out by the failures of the UK’s political and economic structures. They deserve to be heard.

“In a House of Lords where not many members will look like me, I know that I will have to shout loudly. I’m ready for that.”

Carmen Smith biography:

  • Carmen Smith was born on 15 March 1996 in Salisbury, England.
  • She moved with her family to Llanfaes in Ynys Môn aged seven. She attended Ysgol David Hughes and later Coleg Menai, where she was Grŵp Llandrillo-Menai Students' Union President.
  • She studied law at Bangor University for one year before leaving her studies to successfully campaign to become NUS Wales Deputy President in 2016. She later served as Acting President at the end of her term.
  • Since 2016, Carmen has played an active role in politics - from her time as NUS Wales Deputy President, to standing in the European Elections in 2019, to when at 25 she became Chief of Staff for the Plaid Cymru Senedd Group.
  • Carmen has been campaigning on issues that she is passionate about for almost a decade. This includes campaigning on issues of importance to young people, widening access into education, the right to self-determination, and tackling poverty.
  • But after entering politics at a young age - she has noticed the way that young people, particularly young women, are not represented in our halls of power. Carmen wants to change that.

Ms Smith studied law at Bangor University for one year before leaving her studies to campaign to become NUS Wales deputy president in 2016.

At 25 she became chief of staff to the Plaid Senedd group and has campaigned on issues such as widening access into education, the right to self-determination, and tackling poverty.

Lord Wigley, Plaid’s honorary president, said he planned to retire from the House of Lords at the next general election as he turns 81 in April.

“It is true that I have indicated in the past that I did not foresee myself continuing in the Lords beyond the age of 80,” he said.

“However, with Carmen’s very welcome appointment, I resolved to stay a little longer to help her settle into the work.

“I very much hope that during this period, Plaid Cymru’s other nominee, Rt Hon Elfyn Llwyd, former parliamentary leader, will be appointed to the Lords – and that this will deliver on the earlier commitment that Plaid Cymru will have three seats in the second chamber, to work for Wales to the best of our endeavours.

“In the meantime, I look forward to working alongside Carmen Smith and wish her every success.”