The leader of the Welsh Green Party and Caerdydd Penarth MS, Anthony Slaughter, has revealed that he underwent major surgery over the summer as part of treatment for cancer.
Speaking during a Senedd debate on Wednesday, Slaughter said he had a “scheduled and serious” operation during the parliamentary recess and is now recovering well. He told fellow Members of the Senedd that the experience had involved significant physical and emotional challenges.
“The surgery went well, and I am now looking forward to getting back to normal and representing the people of Caerdydd Penarth the best I can,” he said.
Slaughter has asked for privacy regarding what he described as a deeply personal matter and said he does not want the diagnosis to overshadow his work in the Senedd. He is not taking questions or interviews about his condition at this time.
The announcement comes just months after Slaughter made political history by becoming one of the first Green Members of the Senedd following the 2026 Welsh Parliament election. He represents the new Caerdydd Penarth constituency and also serves as leader of the Welsh Greens, a role he has held since 2018.
A long-time environmental campaigner and former garden designer from Penarth, Slaughter has been a prominent figure in Welsh Green politics for more than a decade, previously serving as the party's deputy leader and standing in multiple local, Senedd and Westminster elections.
During his contribution in the Senedd, Slaughter reflected on the uncertainty and fear he experienced before surgery, saying the reality of preparing for the operation had given him a deeper understanding of what many patients and families face.
Despite the health setback, the Caerdydd Penarth representative said his recovery is progressing well and that he is focused on returning fully to his duties on behalf of his constituents

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