Jenny Randerson to stand down next year

Double figure departures for 2011

Jenny has been an AM since 1999. Her win was to me one of the most striking breakthroughs at that election. Only two years earlier Labour had established an 8,000 majority over Jenny Randerson, who had run in 1997 for election to Parliament, yet here she was entering the Assembly with a 3,000 majority. I remember thinking this spelt big trouble for Labour and within five years the Lib Dems had not just made it their safest Welsh seat but had taken every single council ward in the constituency.

A huge amount of this electoral success has been down to Jenny as a person and a politician. She has been diligent not just as a constituency member but also as an Assembly Member. Her talents were well utilised in the Partnership Government of 2000-03 when she served as the first Culture Minister of the Assembly. Thereafter she played a big role in the second Assembly, chairing the Business Committee and overseeing the drafting of new Standing Orders for the Assembly that enabled the smooth transition in 2007 to what was, in effect, a new constitution. On a more personal level, she has shared two of the most provocative articles with us through WalesHome.org.

Jenny Randerson has been one of the most consistently hard working AMs of any party throughout this period, holding a range of policy portfolios and always immersing herself in the subject matter. The political “obituaries” will reflect both this and her pragmatic approach. They will also need to reflect that even though she lost the race to become Welsh Lib Dem leader in 2008 to Kirsty Williams, that in no way diminished her commitment to her party or Assembly group.

The Liberal Democrats will need to choose very carefully in deciding a successor, not least because the current political circumstances do not look that favourable to her party. I would add, however, that I am sure that her decision to announce her departure now has less to do with any dissatisfaction on a UK level, and more to do with giving her party time to select a candidate who can cement their identity during the coming year.

Jenny Randerson’s statement is as follows:

“I have this weekend informed my local party executive that I do not intend to seek re-election in the Assembly Elections next May.

“This has not been an easy decision to make but after 12 years as AM for Cardiff Central, I believe it will be time to move on and find new challenges.

“While I made this decision some months ago, I felt it was important to get the General election out of the way before making this announcement to allow my local party to focus completely on the job at hand. I am delighted that I am making this announcement just days after we entered Government at a UK level with a strong reforming and liberal agenda. The Lib Dems entering UK government is something that I have been fighting for, for decades and I’m really pleased to be starting the process of handing over the baton with a feeling of “job done.”

“I do not intend to retire from politics completely and believe I have more to contribute. However, I also plan to have more time to spend with my young granddaughter and the rest of my family.

“It has been, and continues to be, a huge privilege to represent Cardiff Central. It would be hard to find a more diverse and vibrant place to live and represent. I have been an AM throughout the development of the Assembly and I have enjoyed helping to develop it as an institution.

“I have been lucky enough to have one of the most rewarding jobs imaginable and I continue to enjoy every single day of it.

“Enormous thanks must go to the Cardiff Central team of Lib Dem activists and to my staff who have worked hard to support me. I give my promise to my constituents that I will continue to work as hard as ever on their behalf in the remaining year of my term as an AM.”

Jenny’s most cryptic comment here is: “I do not intend to retire from politics completely and believe I have more to contribute.” I wonder where she might be asked to help out?

Her announcement brings to 10 the number of Assembly Members who have decided to stand down next year. The others that are departing are her colleague Mick Bates in Montgomeryshire; and the Labour members Irene James (Islwyn), Jane Davidson (Pontypridd), Rhodri Morgan (Cardiff West), Karen Sinclair (Clwyd South), Val Lloyd (Swansea East), Andrew Davies (Swansea West), Brian Gibbons (Aberavon) and Lorraine Barrett (Cardiff South and Penarth).