The free commemorative event will take place at Llanelly House, Vaughan Street, on Thursday, August 7, from 10am to 4pm, offering the public a chance to learn more about the man hailed as the founding father of the welfare state and a champion of social justice.
A Legacy of National Importance
Jim Griffiths, who served as Llanelli’s MP for 34 years, became the first Secretary of State for Wales and played a key role in shaping post-war Britain. He was appointed Minister for National Insurance under Clement Attlee’s Labour Government, where he was responsible for landmark legislation including:
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Family Allowances Act 1945
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National Insurance Act 1946
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National Assistance and Industrial Injuries Act 1948
Although Aneurin “Nye” Bevan is rightfully remembered for creating the NHS, Llanelli Town Councillor Janet Williams, who is spearheading the memorial event, believes Griffiths’ contributions deserve far greater recognition.
“Jim Griffiths is a legend and a hero of mine,” said Cllr Williams. “Everyone knows about Nye Bevan, but it is a great shame that too few today know about Jim, who was called the architect of the Welfare State.”
Champion of Llanelli and Wales
Beyond his national profile, Griffiths was instrumental in bringing jobs and investment to Llanelli—most notably securing the construction of the Trostre tinplate works in the town, a decision that faced significant opposition at the time.
He also played a pivotal role in advancing Welsh political representation. A lifelong advocate for Welsh devolution, Griffiths campaigned from the 1930s for a dedicated Welsh Secretary. In 1964, Prime Minister Harold Wilson persuaded him to postpone retirement and take up the role himself, becoming the first Secretary of State for Wales.
Griffiths’ parliamentary career was also marked by moral clarity and courage. During the 1956 Suez Crisis, he gave a powerful speech condemning Prime Minister Anthony Eden’s actions, declaring:
“This is for our country a black and tragic week… an unjustifiable and wicked war.”
His words were widely praised as capturing the mood of the nation.
From Miner to Minister
Born in Betws near Ammanford, the youngest of ten children, Griffiths left school at 13 to work underground in the Ammanford No. 1 colliery. His early experiences as a miner instilled in him a lifelong passion for workers’ rights and social justice.
In 1908, he founded the Independent Labour Party branch in Ammanford and later served as Secretary of the Ammanford Trades Council. After serving as a Labour Party agent in Llanelli, he rose to become President of the South Wales Miners’ Federation before being elected MP for Llanelli in 1936, a post he held until retiring in 1970.
“He was a chapel-goer and a pacifist, and became a statesman and a gentleman—not brash like some politicians,” said Cllr Williams. “He got things done.”
Griffiths was succeeded in Parliament by Labour MP Denzil Davies. At his memorial, former Prime Minister Jim Callaghan described him as “one of the greatest sons of Wales.”
A Long-Overdue Tribute
Among those attending the commemorative event, it has been reported that First Minister Eluned Morgan, has accepted an invitation to speak.
“She [Eluned Morgan] jumped at the chance,” said Cllr Williams. “His [Jim Griffiths] place in this country’s history—and in the struggle to help ordinary people—has been largely forgotten. But where would we be now without him?”
Cllr Williams hopes the memorial will help spark renewed interest in Griffiths’ life and achievements—and eventually lead to a permanent monument in Llanelli in his honour.
“There are mementoes in Ammanford Library, but Jim Griffiths deserves more. He served his constituency and his country with distinction. There is so much to admire about him. He didn’t have to be horrible to get things done.”
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