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Lindsay Whittle has taken his seat in the Senedd for the first time since winning the Caerphilly by-election – and paid tribute to his predecessor Hefin David in his opening speech.

Dr David passed away in August aged just 47, triggering the by-election, which was won by Plaid Cymru’s Mr Whittle on October 23.

It will be the second time Mr Whittle has served in Cardiff Bay, having represented the South Wales East region between 2011 and 2016.

Speaking on his return on Tuesday November 4, Mr Whittle said: “It’s a great pleasure to be welcomed back into the Senedd of Wales. I was here before and I am immensely proud to have been elected to serve all of the people of the Caerphilly constituency.

“However, clouded in the euphoria of election, we must never, ever forget – and I can assure you, I will never forget – the worthy contributions of my friend, Hefin David, who was a deep loss to his family and to the political life of Wales – a man who had the utmost respect.”

Mr Whittle, who stepped down from his role as a Caerphilly County Borough councillor following his election to the Welsh Parliament, also used his opening speech to thank Senedd staff for their support over recent days.

“Could I thank all of the people here within this Senedd? The staff here have been amazing,” said Mr Whittle. “I’ve had an incredible induction week. I’ve literally been here five days since the election and I haven’t stopped working, and I can tell you that that is a magnificent sign of the maturity of this Senedd, because, in 2011, you were literally thrown in at the deep end.

“Not today, and that’s a sign that this Senedd is here to stay, and I hope it will improve as, literally, the decades go on and on. And you, all of you here, will be part of history.

“But, for now, I just want to thank all of the staff who’ve been involved, and in particular, too, Plaid Cymru, who, in 2011, also threw me in at the deep end, but they haven’t this time. The staff employed by Plaid Cymru too, their work has been excellent.”

Mr Whittle also pledged his “dedication” to “all of the people of Caerphilly” and added: “I will work tirelessly for absolutely every member of that community to ensure that we get the best deal for the ordinary man, woman and child in the street. That is why I am here, and I’m sure that’s why you are here.

“So, thank you all very much for your welcome. You are now all my new friends, many of you. Thank you.”

“Bittersweet circumstances”

Welcoming Mr Whittle to the Senedd, its Llywydd, or speaker, Elin Jones said: “It is in bittersweet circumstances that we extend our Senedd’s congratulations and welcome to Lindsay Whittle, the new Member for Caerphilly.”

Referencing Mr Whitle’s previous spell in the then-Welsh Assembly, Ms Jones said: “Lindsay reminded me the other day that when we both sat on the health committee as Plaid Members back in the fifth Senedd, I used to kick him under the table if I thought he was going off message at any point.

“I can tell Lindsay now that my legs aren’t long enough to kick you from here, but I do have control of your microphone. So, I’m going to open your microphone, Lindsay, and ask you to share a few words with the Senedd.”

Congratulations were also offered to Mr Whittle from across the chamber, including from Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, Conservative group leader Darren Millar, Tory MS Janet Finch-Saunders, and Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds.