Students want 'Gwynfor' building

Under construction...the new building is set to open in September

Students are calling for a new politics building at Aberystwyth University to be named after Plaid Cymru's first MP Gwynfor Evans.

But university officials said the process of selecting a title had "not started yet."

Aberystwyth's Guild of Students said a "Gwynfor" building would acknowledge the politician's achievements.

Mr Evans died last month, aged 92, and received tributes from across the political spectrum.

The new building, which is currently under construction, will house the department of international politics - the oldest one of its type in the world, said the university.

The executive committee of Aberystwyth Guild of Students voted unanimously to lobby officials about the issue.

Bethan Jenkins, president of the students' union, said: "Gwynfor Evans was, and will continue to be, an integral part of Welsh politics.

It would be a gesture of acknowledgement for a lifetime of work Gwynfor Evans' grandson Mabon ap Gwynfor

"I think it is important that we name the building after a figure of such stature in Wales to inspire students who study at Aberystwyth to become a part of active politics in Wales, and to acknowledge his work within the university".

She said the union wanted to take its proposal forward to the university.

A spokesman for the University of Wales Aberystwyth said: "We welcome the suggestion of the students, however, the process of selecting a name for the new home of the department for international politics has not started yet."

Hundreds of people lined the streets for Mr Evans' funeral, which was held in Aberystwyth on 27 April.

Mr Evans was Plaid president from 1945 to 1981 and became the party's first MP in the 1966 Carmarthen by-election.

He also helped create the Welsh language channel S4C after threatening to starve himself to death.

Aberystwyth town councillor Mabon ap Gwynfor, Gwynfor Evans' grandson, supported the campaign.

He said: "Gwynfor was a man of principal, vision, and ideals, and contributed enormously in the development of our nation and in allowing Wales to play its full role in the community of nations".

Mr ap Gwynfor added: "It would be a gesture of acknowledgement for a lifetime of work in pursuing this end".

Founded in 1919 with the support of David Davies MP - later Lord Davies of Llandinam - the department of international politics has developed into a centre of international excellence.

It was awarded the highest rating of 5* in the latest Research Assessment Exercise. It is due to open to students in September.