Councillor Peter Read, Gwnynedd’s Disability Champion Announced as Senedd Candidate

Propel Wales has announced popular local Councillor Peter Read as its candidate in Dwyfor Meirionydd, in Gwynedd.  Councillor Reid is Gwynedd County Council’s disability champion and has lived in Dwyfor Meirionydd all his life.

Councillor Read was elected to Gwynedd County Council for the first time in 2008, when fighting Plaid Cymru’s plans to close local schools. Cllr Read came to public prominence in 1995, when he survived a hand gliding accident, leaving him with as a paraplegic. If elected, Cllr Read will be the first disabled person elected to the Senedd.

Cllr Read said,

” I am a proud Welshman and it is a privilege to put myself as candidate in Dwyfor Meirionydd. Where I was born and bred.  I will never forget all the love and support I received after my accident all those years ago. The accident made me the man I am today and I want to give something back, being a strong voice in the Senedd.

I owe a great deal to the NHS. I will fight tooth and nail to improve on the services that are presently available to the people of Dwyfor Meirionydd. Many people in Meirionydd are disadvantaged by having to travel up to 70 miles to access hospital healthcare. These needs could be made available on a more local basis. Blaenau Ffestiniog Hospital, for example, is one that I feel should be reinstated as a fully packaged facility, which would include consultants and specialists being available on site, thus reducing patient travelling times.

Furthermore, the closure of local A&E departments is having a detrimental effect on our communities. Excellently located facilities, such as Allt Wen, Penmorfa have, as a result of this policy, become little more than care homes. I am prepared to fight against these downgrades on behalf of us all – we all deserve a better, more consistent care package, and there is no reason on earth for the people of Dwyfor Meirionydd to have to wait months, or even in some cases years, to access any treatment, including dental treatments.”

Leader of Propel Wales, Neil McEvoy said,

” Wales needs Champions and Dwyfor Meirionydd has one in  Peter Read. In his life Peter has faced real adversity and has come through. He is a strong man of principle who will fight injustice. The people of Dwyfor Meirionydd has a straight between a local man who has a proven track record, treated badly by Plaid Cymru and an Establishment Plaid career politician, parachuted in from outside. Last time Peter faced an opponent in an election, he got an amazing 80 per cent of the vote. Dwyfor Meirionydd is a target seat for us. It is a two-horse race.”

Biography

Peter Read is a Welsh speaking native of Rhydyclafdy, Pen Lleyn and a mechanic by trade. He ran Lleyn Tyres, Pwllheli, for many years.

He lives in Abererch with his wife Nic and 2 children and is a keen gardener.

In 1995, aged 28 Peter suffered a horrific hand gliding accident and was hospitalised for 18 months at Gobowen, Oswestry. The accident left him paraplegic, but the experience released in him an inner strength to fight adversity and prove that anything is possible with sheer determination and hard work. Following discharge, he returned to work as a Honda Quad seller and repairer.

Peter got involved in politics to stop local school closures ad was elected to Gwynedd County Council in 2008 with 58 per cent of the vote, in 2012 Peter won 80 per cent of the vote and was unchallenged in 2017.

Cllr Read is Gwynedd’s Disability Champion and spent time on the Health Commission Board.. He was instrumental in the fight to obtain the required funding for the new special needs school (Ysgol Hafod Lon) in Penrhyndeudraeth. Peter Read is also Chair of Pwllheli Marina.