Tonia and her brothers were brought up in Llanelli by her Welsh mum and Welsh-Italian father. As well as encouraging her passion for languages, they supported her love of sport and Tonia has played international rugby for Wales.
After studying French and Italian at Exeter University, she received her PGCE from Cardiff University and returned home to work as a teacher. Before being elected to represent Gower, she was Head of Modern Foreign Languages in a local comprehensive school.
She lives in the constituency with her son and, alongside her passion for rugby, she enjoys tennis, walking and exploring the many beautiful areas in the constituency.
Parliamentary Career
Since being elected Tonia has taken up a number of issues from constituents with a focus on protecting rural communities and challenging the government to keep their promises about investment in Swansea and Gower.
Tonia has recently been elected Chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee and she is looking forward to the committee being in session.
Previously she served as the Shadow Minister for Northern Ireland, as a Shadow Whip, and as Parliamentary Private Secretary to both the Shadow Chancellor and Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. She has previously served on the is on the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, the Petitions Committee, the Procedures Committee, the Welsh Affairs Committee and the Women and Equalities Committee.
In 2022 Tonia completed a course with the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, gaining insight into military life, specialising in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.
Find out more about Tonia in Parliament here.
Tonia has recently been elected Chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee and she is looking forward to the committee being in session.
Previously she served as the Shadow Minister for Northern Ireland, as a Shadow Whip, and as Parliamentary Private Secretary to both the Shadow Chancellor and Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. She has previously served on the is on the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, the Petitions Committee, the Procedures Committee, the Welsh Affairs Committee and the Women and Equalities Committee.
In 2022 Tonia completed a course with the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, gaining insight into military life, specialising in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.
Find out more about Tonia in Parliament here.