Nia Griffith



Nia Rhiannon Griffith (born 4 December 1956) has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Llanelli since 2005.

She previously held the position of Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, having been appointed to the post by Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn in September 2015 until she resigned in June 2016. On 6 October 2016, Corbyn appointed Griffith as Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, replacing Clive Lewis.

Parliamentary career
She was selected to contest the Welsh seat of Llanelli for Labour at the 2005 General Election following the imposition of an all-women shortlist after the retirement of Denzil Davies. She won the seat with a majority of 7,234 votes and remains the MP there. Griffith made her maiden speech on 19 May 2005. She is a member of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, Welsh Affairs Select Committee and European Scrutiny Committee. She also chairs the All-Party Steel and Metals Group. Griffith was PPS to Harriet Harman in her capacity as Minister for Women and Equality before the 2010 general election.

Griffith was re-elected in 2010 with her majority reduced by 2,533 votes. In October 2010, she became Shadow Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills until October 2011 when she became Shadow Minister for Wales. On 13 September 2015 she became Shadow Secretary of State for Wales. She resigned from this position on 27 June 2016. She was appointed Shadow Defence Secretary four months later.