Latest news with #HefinDavid
Rhyl Journal
2 days ago
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Welsh Labour politician Hefin David dies aged 47
Backbench Welsh Labour politician Hefin David has died suddenly aged 47, the First Minister of Wales has confirmed. Eluned Morgan, the Welsh Labour leader, paid tribute to the Caerphilly MS, who has been a member of the Welsh Parliament since 2016. Baroness Morgan described Mr David as a 'much-loved' member of the Labour family, who will be greatly missed. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called him a 'powerful voice for the people of Wales', who dedicated his life to making sure every community in the country had the 'opportunities they deserve'. Mr David's partner was Vikki Howells, the Cynon Valley MS and minister for further and higher education in the Welsh Government. Baroness Morgan said: 'We are extremely saddened by the sudden death of Hefin. Our thoughts are with his family at this terrible time. 'Hefin was a much-loved member of the Labour family. He served Caerphilly as a councillor and a Member of the Senedd with pride and passion. 'He was an outstanding politician, warm and enthusiastic and a great communicator – especially on behalf of his constituents. He will be greatly missed.' In a statement following Mr David's death, Sir Keir said: 'The entire Labour movement will join me in grieving the loss of Hefin David. 'He was a powerful voice for the people of Wales and a committed public servant, who dedicated his life to making sure every person and community in Wales had the opportunities and support they deserve. 'As Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly, where he was born and lived, he was incredibly proud of his community. 'Our hearts are with his family and those who knew and loved him at this painful time. May he rest in peace.' Mr David, who was born in the Caerphilly constituency, was elected to Caerphilly County Borough Council at a by-election in March 2007. He worked as a senior lecturer at Cardiff Metropolitan University, teaching human resource management and professional practice to undergraduate and postgraduate students. In 2016, he was elected as Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly – succeeding Labour's Jeff Cuthbert, who became police and crime commissioner for Gwent. Gwent Police said a 47-year-old man was found unresponsive at a property in the Caerphilly county area on Tuesday. Paramedics attended and confirmed the man had died. His death is not being treated as suspicious. Tributes have been paid to Mr David by politicians across the Senedd, with former Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies calling it 'heartbreaking and tragic news'. Delyth Jewell, Plaid MS for the South Wales East region, said: 'The news about Hefin David is so desperately tragic. Hefin was always steadfast in his views, loyal to his roots, and he represented this area diligently. 'We were from different parties but worked together on many local issues. I will miss him. What a sad and dreadful loss.' Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said: 'I'm deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Hefin David. 'Hefin represented his constituency with tireless dedication. He brought passion, energy, and independence of thought to Senedd proceedings and our parliament will be poorer without him. 'On behalf of Plaid Cymru I send our profound condolences to Hefin's family and friends at this desperately sad time.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
PM leads tributes to Welsh Labour politician who died suddenly aged 47
Sir Keir Starmer has led the tributes for Welsh Labour politician Hefin David, who has died suddenly aged 47. Mr David, who has served as the Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly since 2016, died on Tuesday. He would have turned 48 on Wednesday. Prime Minister Sir Keir called him a 'powerful voice for the people of Wales', who dedicated his life to making sure every community in the country had the 'opportunities they deserve'. Mr David's death was first confirmed by Eluned Morgan, the Welsh First Minister, who described him as a 'much-loved member of the Labour family' and an 'outstanding politician'. His partner was Vikki Howells, the Cynon Valley MS and minister for further and higher education in the Welsh Government. In a statement following Mr David's death, Sir Keir said: 'The entire Labour movement will join me in grieving the loss of Hefin David. 'He was a powerful voice for the people of Wales and a committed public servant, who dedicated his life to making sure every person and community in Wales had the opportunities and support they deserve. 'As Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly, where he was born and lived, he was incredibly proud of his community. 'Our hearts are with his family and those who knew and loved him at this painful time. May he rest in peace.' Baroness Morgan said: 'Hefin was a much-loved member of the Labour family. He served Caerphilly as a councillor and a Member of the Senedd with pride and passion. 'He was an outstanding politician, warm and enthusiastic and a great communicator – especially on behalf of his constituents. He will be greatly missed.' Mr David was first elected to Caerphilly County Borough Council at a by-election in March 2007. He worked as a senior lecturer at Cardiff Metropolitan University, teaching human resource management and professional practice to undergraduate and postgraduate students. In 2016, he was elected as Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly – succeeding Labour's Jeff Cuthbert, who became police and crime commissioner for Gwent. He served as one of the five Senedd commissioners, who are responsible for providing the Welsh Parliament with the staff and resources needed. Gwent Police confirmed a 47-year-old man was found unresponsive at a property in the Caerphilly county area on Tuesday. Paramedics attended and confirmed the man had died. His death is not being treated as suspicious. Tributes have been paid by politicians across the Senedd, with former Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies calling it 'heartbreaking and tragic news'. Rhun ap Iorwerth, the leader of Plaid Cymru, said he was 'deeply shocked and saddened' at the news. 'Hefin represented his constituency with tireless dedication,' he said. 'He brought passion, energy, and independence of thought to Senedd proceedings and our parliament will be poorer without him.' Laura Anne Jones, who recently defected from the Conservatives to Reform, described Mr David as a 'genuinely lovely person'. She said: 'Regardless of political differences, we got on well. He always had time for a kind word, a smile or a funny anecdote. 'He always cared greatly for his constituents, fought hard for what he believed in and I admired him for his passion to improve additional learning needs policy, drawing on his experiences. 'He contributed greatly to politics in Wales, and will be missed greatly, politically and personally, in the Senedd.' Elin Jones, the Senedd's Llywydd (presiding officer), said the Senedd community was devastated at the said: 'Our thoughts go immediately to his partner, our colleague and friend, Vikki Howells MS and to his cherished children and family. 'Hefin was so full of life and enthusiasm for his constituents and their causes. 'He was a passionate politician, loyal to his party, his country and constituents.' Gwent Police Chief Constable Mark Hobrough called Mr David a 'dedicated public servant to Caerphilly' whose loss would be significant. A spokesperson for Cardiff Metropolitan University, where Mr David had been a lecturer prior to becoming an MS, said: 'Anyone that met Hefin, whether it was a brief chat or a longer connection, will know of his considerable commitment to education. 'He would, rightly, talk with pride about his path in higher education: from undergraduate through to senior academic. And it was that journey that gave him such an understanding of the need to make sure that education works for all. To make sure that his path could be taken by all, rather than the preserve of a privileged few.'
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Politics
- Wales Online
Hefin David was a tireless campaigner, advocate for Caerphilly and a friend to those across politics
Hefin David was a tireless campaigner, advocate for Caerphilly and a friend to those across politics Politicians from across the Senedd have remembered Hefin David as an all round "good person" Hefin David's political career began as a local councillor in Caerphilly (Image: PA) Senedd Member Hefin David has died suddenly. The politician, ardent campaigner and father-of-two was 47 and died just the day before his 48th birthday. Mr David had served in his role as the Senedd Member for Caerphilly since 2016 when he took over from Jeff Cuthbert who became the Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner. His political career began much more locally when he was elected as a local councillor for the ward of St Cattwg in Caerphilly County Borough Council at the age of 29 through a by-election in March 2007. It was role he held up until 2017 and saw him secure a substantial £400,000 grant to rebuild a local village hall. Following his work as a local councillor and university lecturer, he was elected as an MS in 2016 and during his nine years in Cardiff Bay he sat on the Senedd's economy committee and the culture committee. Politicians from across the Senedd have remembered him as being an all round "good person". Tom Giffard, the Senedd Member for South Wales West and a member of the Welsh Conservatives said it was rare that you call someone from another party a friend but that Mr David was "certainly that". Article continues below Mr David had also recently been selected as number one on Labour's list of candidates for the new Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni constituency in next year's Senedd election. He has been described by his colleagues in Cardiff Bay as a "dedicated public servant to Caerphilly" and a "strong campaigner", with Keir Starmer calling him a "powerful voice for the people of Wales". Stay informed on Caerphilly news by signing up to our newsletter here . During his nine years in the Senedd Mr David frequently made contributions about one of his two daughters, who has autism and learning difficulties, routinely speaking up on the experiences of him and his family. Through his work he campaigned for improved services for and supporting families with relatives with additional learning needs, the development of Valleys communities and small firm development and growth. His tireless campaigning also saw him speak out about freeholders, who have estate management charges imposed on their properties, and called on the Welsh Government to cap estate management charges in Wales. Alongside his political work, the MS was heavily involved in his local community serving as a governor at his old school, Heolddu Comprehensive School, and being a keen supporter of the Caerphilly Miners Centre. Mr David was also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and an Academic Associate of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Mr David was born in Caerphilly Miners Hospital in August 1977 and grew up in the village of Penpedairheol near Bargoed and in the Caerphilly constituency where he lived up until his death. He was educated at Heolddu Comprehensive School before studying Politics and Economics at Cardiff University. He later went on to gain a PhD in small business employment issues before working as a senior lecturer in business management at the University of Wales in Newport and then as a HR Development and Practice lecturer at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Article continues below Mr David's work spanned further than Wales, having also worked and taught in Germany, Greece, India and China. He is survived by his partner Vicki Howells, who is a fellow Labour MS for Cynon Valley and the deputy minister for education, as well as his two daughters.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
PM leads tributes to Welsh Labour politician who died suddenly aged 47
Sir Keir Starmer has led the tributes for Welsh Labour politician Hefin David, who has died suddenly aged 47. Mr David, who has served as the Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly since 2016, died on Tuesday. He would have turned 48 on Wednesday. Prime Minister Sir Keir called him a 'powerful voice for the people of Wales', who dedicated his life to making sure every community in the country had the 'opportunities they deserve'. Mr David's death was first confirmed by Eluned Morgan, the Welsh First Minister, who described him as a 'much-loved member of the Labour family' and an 'outstanding politician'. His partner was Vikki Howells, the Cynon Valley MS and minister for further and higher education in the Welsh Government. In a statement following Mr David's death, Sir Keir said: 'The entire Labour movement will join me in grieving the loss of Hefin David. 'He was a powerful voice for the people of Wales and a committed public servant, who dedicated his life to making sure every person and community in Wales had the opportunities and support they deserve. 'As Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly, where he was born and lived, he was incredibly proud of his community. 'Our hearts are with his family and those who knew and loved him at this painful time. May he rest in peace.' Baroness Morgan said: 'Hefin was a much-loved member of the Labour family. He served Caerphilly as a councillor and a Member of the Senedd with pride and passion. 'He was an outstanding politician, warm and enthusiastic and a great communicator – especially on behalf of his constituents. He will be greatly missed.' Mr David was first elected to Caerphilly County Borough Council at a by-election in March 2007. He worked as a senior lecturer at Cardiff Metropolitan University, teaching human resource management and professional practice to undergraduate and postgraduate students. In 2016, he was elected as Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly – succeeding Labour's Jeff Cuthbert, who became police and crime commissioner for Gwent. He served as one of the five Senedd commissioners, who are responsible for providing the Welsh Parliament with the staff and resources needed. Gwent Police confirmed a 47-year-old man was found unresponsive at a property in the Caerphilly county area on Tuesday. Paramedics attended and confirmed the man had died. His death is not being treated as suspicious. Tributes have been paid by politicians across the Senedd, with former Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies calling it 'heartbreaking and tragic news'. Rhun ap Iorwerth, the leader of Plaid Cymru, said he was 'deeply shocked and saddened' at the news. 'Hefin represented his constituency with tireless dedication,' he said. 'He brought passion, energy, and independence of thought to Senedd proceedings and our parliament will be poorer without him.' Laura Anne Jones, who recently defected from the Conservatives to Reform, described Mr David as a 'genuinely lovely person'. She said: 'Regardless of political differences, we got on well. He always had time for a kind word, a smile or a funny anecdote. 'He always cared greatly for his constituents, fought hard for what he believed in and I admired him for his passion to improve additional learning needs policy, drawing on his experiences. 'He contributed greatly to politics in Wales, and will be missed greatly, politically and personally, in the Senedd.' Elin Jones, the Senedd's Llywydd (presiding officer), said the Senedd community was devastated at the said: 'Our thoughts go immediately to his partner, our colleague and friend, Vikki Howells MS and to his cherished children and family. 'Hefin was so full of life and enthusiasm for his constituents and their causes. 'He was a passionate politician, loyal to his party, his country and constituents.' Gwent Police Chief Constable Mark Hobrough called Mr David a 'dedicated public servant to Caerphilly' whose loss would be significant. A spokesperson for Cardiff Metropolitan University, where Mr David had been a lecturer prior to becoming an MS, said: 'Anyone that met Hefin, whether it was a brief chat or a longer connection, will know of his considerable commitment to education. 'He would, rightly, talk with pride about his path in higher education: from undergraduate through to senior academic. And it was that journey that gave him such an understanding of the need to make sure that education works for all. To make sure that his path could be taken by all, rather than the preserve of a privileged few.'
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
PM leads tributes to Welsh Labour politician who died suddenly aged 47
Sir Keir Starmer has led the tributes for Welsh Labour politician Hefin David, who has died suddenly aged 47. Mr David, who has served as the Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly since 2016, died on Tuesday. He would have turned 48 on Wednesday. Prime Minister Sir Keir called him a 'powerful voice for the people of Wales', who dedicated his life to making sure every community in the country had the 'opportunities they deserve'. Mr David's death was first confirmed by Eluned Morgan, the Welsh First Minister, who described him as a 'much-loved member of the Labour family' and an 'outstanding politician'. His partner was Vikki Howells, the Cynon Valley MS and minister for further and higher education in the Welsh Government. In a statement following Mr David's death, Sir Keir said: 'The entire Labour movement will join me in grieving the loss of Hefin David. 'He was a powerful voice for the people of Wales and a committed public servant, who dedicated his life to making sure every person and community in Wales had the opportunities and support they deserve. 'As Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly, where he was born and lived, he was incredibly proud of his community. 'Our hearts are with his family and those who knew and loved him at this painful time. May he rest in peace.' Baroness Morgan said: 'Hefin was a much-loved member of the Labour family. He served Caerphilly as a councillor and a Member of the Senedd with pride and passion. 'He was an outstanding politician, warm and enthusiastic and a great communicator – especially on behalf of his constituents. He will be greatly missed.' Mr David was first elected to Caerphilly County Borough Council at a by-election in March 2007. He worked as a senior lecturer at Cardiff Metropolitan University, teaching human resource management and professional practice to undergraduate and postgraduate students. In 2016, he was elected as Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly – succeeding Labour's Jeff Cuthbert, who became police and crime commissioner for Gwent. He served as one of the five Senedd commissioners, who are responsible for providing the Welsh Parliament with the staff and resources needed. Gwent Police confirmed a 47-year-old man was found unresponsive at a property in the Caerphilly county area on Tuesday. Paramedics attended and confirmed the man had died. His death is not being treated as suspicious. Tributes have been paid by politicians across the Senedd, with former Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies calling it 'heartbreaking and tragic news'. Rhun ap Iorwerth, the leader of Plaid Cymru, said he was 'deeply shocked and saddened' at the news. 'Hefin represented his constituency with tireless dedication,' he said. 'He brought passion, energy, and independence of thought to Senedd proceedings and our parliament will be poorer without him.' Laura Anne Jones, who recently defected from the Conservatives to Reform, described Mr David as a 'genuinely lovely person'. She said: 'Regardless of political differences, we got on well. He always had time for a kind word, a smile or a funny anecdote. 'He always cared greatly for his constituents, fought hard for what he believed in and I admired him for his passion to improve additional learning needs policy, drawing on his experiences. 'He contributed greatly to politics in Wales, and will be missed greatly, politically and personally, in the Senedd.' Elin Jones, the Senedd's Llywydd (presiding officer), said the Senedd community was devastated at the said: 'Our thoughts go immediately to his partner, our colleague and friend, Vikki Howells MS and to his cherished children and family. 'Hefin was so full of life and enthusiasm for his constituents and their causes. 'He was a passionate politician, loyal to his party, his country and constituents.' Gwent Police Chief Constable Mark Hobrough called Mr David a 'dedicated public servant to Caerphilly' whose loss would be significant. A spokesperson for Cardiff Metropolitan University, where Mr David had been a lecturer prior to becoming an MS, said: 'Anyone that met Hefin, whether it was a brief chat or a longer connection, will know of his considerable commitment to education. 'He would, rightly, talk with pride about his path in higher education: from undergraduate through to senior academic. And it was that journey that gave him such an understanding of the need to make sure that education works for all. To make sure that his path could be taken by all, rather than the preserve of a privileged few.'
