Alun Cox

Alun Cox is a Welsh Plaid Cymru politician serving as a Member of the Senedd (MS) for Afan Ogwr Rhondda since 2026.

Early life and academic career Cox was born in Newport and was bought up in a family connected to the steel industry in the area. He attended Uned Gymraeg Cwmbrân and then Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen.

He joined Plaid Cymru aged 15 years old after the 1979 referendum on Welsh devolution was rejected. He attended University College, Aberystwyth. After leaving the University, he was elected president of the National Union of Students Wales. He was President from 1989 to 1991.

At the time of becoming a member of the Senedd Cox was working at University of South Wales as Funding and Development officer. He was also Unison's Assistant Branch Secretary at University of South Wales.

He has served as the representative of Plaid Cymru's Trade Union section (UNDEB ) on the Party's ruling body, the National Executive Committee. He also stood to represent the Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney constituency in the 1999 National Assembly for Wales election. but lost in 2022.

Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament) Cox stood as the second candidate on Plaid Cymru's list for Afan Ogwr Rhondda Constituency for the Senedd Election held on 7 May 2026. Following his election he was appointed to serve on the Economy, Energy and Connectivity Committee and the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee.

Personal life Cox lives with his wife and daughter in Porth.