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Sir Wayne David is a former Labour MP who represented the Caerphilly constituency between 2001 and 2024.

It is a week since I heard that Hefin David MS had passed away. The pain which I, and many others, feel has not got any less. Although Hefin was not related to me – contrary to what many thought – he was a close friend and political soulmate.

I first met Hefin when I was seeking the Labour parliamentary nomination for Caerphilly, back in 2000. He was a student and already a strong Labour supporter. He immediately impressed me as a young man who was astute and caring. And from that moment we gradually became really good ‘butties’.

Academically, Hefin was a high flyer. He was awarded a PhD and had been a senior university lecturer. He also became a borough councillor for the community in which he was born and lived. And when he put his name forward to be the Caerphilly Labour candidate for the Welsh Assembly, he “walked” the nomination process and romped home in the election.

As an Assembly Member, and then an MS, Hefin was outstanding, and for six months when I was a special adviser to the First Minister, I saw at first hand his real ability, his mischievous humour, and his brilliant communication skills.

But it was within the Caerphilly constituency that Hefin most impressed me. For eight years, when I was the MP for Caerphilly and he was the AM/MS, we worked closely together, and I can honestly say that he really was liked and respected by everyone he had contact with, even those who didn’t vote for him.

On a whole range of local issues, no matter how tricky they were, Hefin and I would sit down together or have a chat on the phone and work out who could do what and find the best way forward. We both recognised that this was the most effective way to get things done and I believe our constituents really liked to see this ‘partnership’. Cooperation of course wasn’t just between ourselves; we worked closely with our local councillors, and, as appropriate, the police and crime commissioner. In fact, when we did joint social media Christmas greetings we even brought in Jeff Cuthbert, Hefin’s predecessor as AM and then the PCC for Gwent!

Despite the pressures of political work in the constituency and the Senedd, Hefin always had time for his two daughters, Holly and Caitlin, who he loved deeply. Indeed, it was Caitlin’s autism which spurred Hefin into raising very effectively in the Senedd, issues related to autism and disabilities more broadly.

There can be no doubt that with Hefin’s passing, Wales has lost one of its most talented public representatives, and the Caerphilly area and the Rhymney Valley has lost a committed and effective advocate. And I have lost a person who was a close colleague and a true political and personal friend. I will never forget Hefin and I will always treasure the years we worked together.