Peter Black has been the Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West since 1999. In the Assembly he is the Business manager, Shadow Minister for Local Government (including housing) and an Assembly Commissioner. Born in 1960 in Bebington Wirral, he was educated at Wirral Grammar School for Boys and graduated from Swansea University in 1981 with a degree in English and History. He is a former civil servant, having worked in the Land Registry for Wales from 1983 to 1999. He is married to Angela and lives in Manselton. Peter is also a leading Swansea Councillor, having represented the Cwmbwrla Ward since 1984. He has served as the Chair of the Welsh Liberal Democrats in the past.

Scotland the Brave

What implications does the banning of tweeting from the Scottish Parliament chamber have for us here in Wales? One of the most assiduous practitioners of the political tweet explores the issue

Why is Wales still ‘closed for business’?

The Welsh economy is in bad shape but can be revived if we give it space and support to to thrive again

An affordable housing crisis

Government targets blunt scrutiny and ministers should be concentrating on delivering services rather than disguising whether they have – particularly with affordable housing

A parallel universe

In the second of four reviews by Assembly Members, Peter Black gives us his view of how the campaign has gone this week. And what a week to schedule a Liberal Democrat to do it…

Funding local government: common problems, radical solutions

With predictions that up to a third of local government jobs may go, now is not the time to micro-manage local government or to forget the importance of local accountability and decision making

Trust the people: time to devolve from the Assembly

Instead of national politicians treating local government as scapegoats and indulging in blame games, it’s time for a new era of proper partnership which trusts local democracy to deliver