Andrew Davies to depart

Maximum impact: Andrew Davies's statement is the hottest topic in the Bay bubble today

FROM THE MOMENT that Carwyn Jones won the Welsh Labour leadership on Tuesday evening, the whispering that Andrew Davies’ time in the Welsh Assembly Government was drawing to an end has got louder.

Edwina Hart’s campaign manager and a one time possible contender himself for the top job, Andrew’s future was always going to be less assured under a new leader he had not backed and whom he had described as “semi detached” from the Cabinet during the campaign. The Western Mail this morning placed the matter centre stage when a senior but unnamed Plaid Cymru source (not a Labour source) mounted a defence of Andrew’s record and voiced hope that he be allowed to remain in government. Despite his impressive record of service – 10 years a Minister and one of the key figures in the Welsh Labour group since day one back in 1999 – Andrew has this lunchtime signalled that his period in office is drawing to an end.

In a statement just released to the press, he confirms he will stand down from the National Assembly at the next election. Andrew said: “I have had the honour and privilege to have represented Swansea West in the Assembly and to have been a Cabinet Member in the Welsh Assembly Government since the Assembly was first established in 1999 and to have worked as a Minister alongside Rhodri Morgan for the last 10 years. No one will ever be able to repeat what we have done. I have however decided that I will not be seeking re-selection as Swansea West Labour Party’s candidate for the Assembly elections in 2011. It is a decision that I have made after a great deal of thought over the past year and I believe it is time for me to have a greater balance and change of pace in my life and to seek out new challenges.”

The emboldening is mine not his. I have chosen to highlight these words as deliberately as Andrew has made them. To my mind it is clear that Andrew is not just departing the Assembly in 2011, he is signalling he is ready to depart government – and on his terms. If “No one will ever be able to repeat what we have done” then that is a clear signal he does not believe Carwyn Jones’ administration will be as successful as Rhodri Morgan’s. Therefore he will not expect or want a place in it.

Andrew went on to say: “I have enjoyed the amazing experience of the last ten years, representing Wales and the people of Swansea West and I hope I have delivered for both. Wales and Swansea are today very different places than they were in 1999: Wales is a much more confident country than it was before the Assembly was established and the face of Swansea has changed immeasurably with investments such as Swansea’s new Medical School, the Institute of Life Sciences, the Waterfront Museum, the Amazon distribution centre and the award-winning SA1 development.

“However, I believe this is the right time to inform my local party members of my intentions and it will give them the opportunity to decide who they want as their candidate for the Assembly elections in 2011. I will continue to work tirelessly to help promote the party and the new candidate once selected, and to support Geraint Davies, my Parliamentary candidate colleague, in the general election campaign.

“I have been very active in the Labour Party as an elected representative, party official and activist at the highest level for 30 years. I am proud to have played a part in delivering devolution for the people of Wales and to have stood up for Swansea over the last decade and I look forward to representing the people of Swansea West until the next election. ”

Responding to the news, First Minister Rhodri Morgan said: “Andrew is one of only four cabinet Ministers in the current administration who has been Cabinet minister continuously since the commencement of Welsh devolution back in May 1999. Being Business Manager was a ‘natural’ for Andrew given his experience as a Labour Party organiser in Transport House. It was far from easy keeping government business on track in a minority administration. Andrew’s skills in this area were legendary.

“That same set of skills saw Andrew in good stead in overseeing the merger of the WDA and the Wales Tourist Board into the Assembly Government administrative set-up, when he was Economic Development Minister. He was also instrumental in cementing the close working relationship we have built up with the business and trade union community, foundations which are of huge value now, both in how we handle the recession and in the role he has most recently held as Finance and Public Services Minister.

“Much as he will be missed in the Assembly he goes with my best wishes and my heartfelt gratitude for the outstanding service he has given as one of the four founding members of Cabinet Government in a devolved Wales, alongside Edwina Hart, Jane Hutt and myself.”

Again the bold is mine – and reflects the sense of a change of face and pace at the heart of the Welsh Assembly Government. The change of personnel which I reflected some weeks ago would be necessary to renew Welsh Labour is happening, even if some of the casualties are significant figures within the party.

The other tributes already released are also worth printing in full.

Garry Owen, Chair of Welsh Labour said : “Andrew has been a personal friend and political ally for more years than I care to remember. His contribution to Welsh Labour, his commitment to devolution and his input to the workings of the Welsh Assembly as one of our most senior ministers has been immense. He is well respected in the Trade Union movement, the Business Community and across the political divide. His input both as a minister and as A.M. for Swansea West will be sorely missed when he stands down and his overall contribution to Welsh politics has been substantial.”

Fellow Swansea AMs, Gower’s Edwina Hart & Swansea East’s Val Lloyd said: “While we were aware that Andrew has been thinking about his future and quality of life for sometime we still find it sad that he has decided to stand down. Together the three of us have worked hard as a team for Swansea and delivered for the people we represent. Andrew is a true political heavyweight delivering time and time again for Swansea West as an AM and for Wales as a Minister. Welsh Labour and the Assembly will be a poorer place without him.”

Janice Gregory, Chair of the National Assembly Labour Party said: “Andrew has been a good friend and colleague in the ten years since we both entered the first Assembly. As a minister, he has undertaken some of the most complex and detailed aspects of government business and succeeded both in delivering our socialist priorities and explaining our work to the people of Wales. I can understand his wish to seek out new challenges but we will miss his judgement, political courage and good humour.”

Ieuan Wyn Jones, Plaid Cymru leader and Deputy First Minister, said: “I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with Andrew Davies on a number of occasions before the National Assembly was established and since.  Despite political differences, he has always been constructive and co-operative.

“We worked together on the successful referendum campaign in 1997 and in the first Assembly when he was Business Minister. He has also served in government with a wide range of responsibilities, including the Economy and latterly Finance.  Andrew has certainly made a very significant contribution to the shaping of our National institution, its credibility and the way it works.”

Unite Regional Secretary for Wales Andy Richards said: “Andrew Davies has been a close personal friend of mine for many years since we originally met via the Labour Party and the T&G, of which we have both been members since the early eighties. He took a break from politics in the early nineties and worked with me at the Ford Engine Plant at Bridgend, where I was the trade union convenor, and set up the pace-setting Employee Development and Assistance Programme (EDAP) which became a huge success providing training and development for many union members there. The programme was used as a template throughout Ford and it is Andrew who we had to thank for this.

“We worked together again during Peter Hain’s campaign to become MP for Neath and also during the “Yes for Wales” campaign for devolution returning the highest yes vote in Wales, again in the Neath Constituency. I was proud to support him in his successful campaign to become an Assembly Member for Swansea West and prouder still when he achieved a position in the Labour Cabinet where he impressed all those whom he met and worked with – shop stewards and company executives alike.

“And likewise, his support to his Union and fellow trade unionists has always been steadfast and courageous, from the assistance he has given to industries employing our members through to campaigning on the streets with us opposing the racist BNP. To say that his ability, initiative and loyalty will be missed within the party is a gross understatement and the Party will definitely be poorer. He will however remain a firm friend and fellow Unite member.”

Professor Richard B Davies Vice-Chancellor Swansea University commented: “With Andrew’s resignation, Wales will lose an outstanding Minister and Assembly Member. Motivated by both passion and compassion, Andrew has been successful because of his drive, commitment, and incisive intellect. Perhaps most importantly, he recognised that policy development is relatively easy; implementation is the tough challenge. He therefore tended to focus more upon outcomes than targets and was always ready to discuss and encourage projects which delivered on WAG priorities.

“Andrew Davies has a special talent: he makes everyone who works with him feel part of “Team Wales”. Having Andrew as its AM, it is not surprising that Swansea University has embraced modern agendas and has accepted responsibility for helping to drive the development of a modern knowledge economy in South West Wales. Andrew as a Minister thinks strategically but acts with practical purpose. His infectious enthusiasm and persistence are irresistible!”

Reacting to the news Professor David Warner, Vice-Chancellor of Swansea Metropolitan University, said: “I was staggered to learn of Andrew’s decision to stand down as an AM at the next Assembly Election. I have come to know him from three different perspectives. Firstly, as an excellent “constituency” AM who has fought for Swansea West and individuals living therein hard and well. Secondly, as a superb Minister who has done much to make the Welsh Assembly Government both effective and respected. Finally, I am proud to say, as a friend. It is always a joy to meet and talk to Andrew. I have no idea of his future plans, but this is a lucky day for some organisation which snaps him up.”

Peter Jones of Swansea-based law firm Morgan Cole said: “Wales will be the poorer when Andrew Davies steps down as an AM. He is the most hard working and diligent of men whose commitment to good Government in Wales and to his constituency cannot be doubted. He is one of the few AMs who has been in business on his own account which has clearly enhanced his appreciation of what the private sector faces and his background in education has been variously very helpful to those in the sector who have worked with him. Swansea has much to thank him for in terms of his vision for the City Centre and SA1 which I suspect might not have happened without his influence. He is very well respected by all those who have worked with him and his advice and good guidance will be very much missed.”

Carwyn Jones has another week before he is likely to announce his new Cabinet. But today Andrew Davies – one of the most diligent Ministers to have served in WAG – joins Rhodri Morgan in walking toward the exit door. Will he be the last to do so?