The First Lady

Laughing in the stocks: just the sort of image that would amuse the subject

THERE is something compellingly attractive about Rosemary Butler, the Deputy Presiding Officer. In this role she has brought a pleasing mixture of approachability, trust and sensitivity that makes her popular with colleagues and stakeholders. Indeed, much like the Presiding Officer himself, she sees herself as a frontline ambassador for the National Assembly for Wales.

Rose (as she is known to her friends) takes the Assembly seriously and expects you to do so, too. You know where you are with her. There are stern rebukes for those who step out of line on Assembly proceedings, even if they occasionally come with a twinkle in the eye. She doesn’t mind a bit of flair, but she doesn’t like procedures being wilfully and persistently flouted. Those are the rules: keep to them and you’ll get on fine with the flame haired First Lady of Welsh politics.

But it isn’t just a pride in the institution that inspires Rose. She also knows when to champion a cause and when to do so in public. A recent example of shrewd timing was her hosting of an event to mark the success of the National Assembly in championing female representation. She was speaking directly to some when she wrote:

“Here at the National Assembly for Wales, we have achieved a notable amount in a relatively short space of time, but we must not be complacent. We look to the political parties to ensure that the mechanisms and opportunities are in place to ensure an equal and diverse political for the future.”

And, as ever with her gentle rebukes, those who were the intended recipients got the message.

She has perfected her political skills over many years, having served for decades in local government in Newport. To her, public service and championing her home city are crucially interlinked. Just examine her roll of honour and this is clear: an Honorary Fellow of the University of Wales, Newport; co-founder and Chair of the Newport International Competition for Young Pianists; an Honorary Citizen of Newport’s twin town Kutaisi in the Republic of Georgia and founding member of the Newport-Kutaisi Twinning Association; the President of the Friends of Newport Transporter; the President of Newport Harriers Athletic Club; an Honorary Life Member of Newport Sports Council; chairwoman of Newport Women’s Forum; a Life Member of Newport Cricket Club; a founder member of the Friends of Tredegar House; a founder member of Newport Women’s Aid; and a Patron of Caerleon Arts Festival. Who else in Welsh politics has done all this and held unbroken public office since 1973?

You’ll also note from the list her love and affection for the arts and culture. Add to it her work as Chair of the National Waterfront Museum Swansea during its inception and delivery, her time as Chair of the Assembly’s Culture Committee 2003-07, and also recognise her passion for art and music, and you’ll see in Rose perhaps the most ideal Culture Minister the Assembly never had. She was of course the Pre-16 Education Minister during the Assembly’s first year, a difficult period bogged down in the political instability of her appointer Alun Michael and disagreements over the payment of teachers. Somehow it felt that when she left office in October 2000 that she’d not been given a chance to show she could really shine.

Image matters to Rose – and not in a spin doctor sort of way. She is always immaculate, knowing that every day can be captured for posterity. How apt then that she is both the originator of the annual Members’ Photographic Exhibition and the organiser of the commemorative portrait of Rhodri Morgan that is intended to hang in the Assembly. Hopefully someone will commission a similar work for her when she stands down – not that that moment is coming soon. Despite being one of the older members of the Assembly she will next year offer herself to the people of Newport West once more. If re-elected she will undoubtedly be offered to her friends and colleagues again as a candidate for one of the Assembly’s most prestigious positions. This dedicated public servant deserves nothing less.