Caerphilly AM Jeff Cuthbert has announced he will stand down at the next Assembly Election.
The announcement followed a government reshuffle on September 11 that removed him from the Cabinet as Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty.
Lesley Griffiths AM takes over his Cabinet role, but Mr Cuthbert will remain as Caerphilly’s representative in the Assembly until 2016.
Mr Cuthbert has been Caerphilly AM since 2003 and in June last year was promoted to Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, stepping up from Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology.
He said: “It’s been an honour to be the AM for Caerphilly and to also serve in the Welsh Government.
“I’m particularly pleased to have played my part in introducing the successful Jobs Growth Wales Programme which has created over 1,000 jobs in Caerphilly Borough with around nine in ten opportunities being filled – the highest in Wales.
“I support the Welsh Government 100% and I will continue to work hard for a majority Labour administration at the next Assembly election”.
In response to the announcement, Wayne David, Labour MP for Caerphilly, said: “I was disappointed to hear that Jeff was stepping down. He has been an excellent Deputy Minister and then Minister.
“He has been widely respected for his hard-work and conscientiousness. In particular, as Deputy Minister, he was very successful in making Skills Development for young people a major Welsh Government priority.
“Not only was Jeff’s work appreciated in the Assembly, it was also acknowledged in Westminster and across Wales.
“I have had the privilege of working closely with Jeff in the Assembly and in the Caerphilly constituency.
“His untiring efforts on behalf of his constituents are well-known and his good work will continue up to the next Assembly elections and beyond.”
Caerphilly County Borough Council Leader and head of the Labour group, Keith Reynolds, expressed regret at Mr Cuthbert’s decision.
He said: “We’re sorry to learn that Jeff Cuthbert has decided to stand down in 2016 as Caerphilly’s Assembly Member.
“Jeff has been a great friend to Caerphilly County Borough Council. We know he’ll continue serving his Caerphilly constituents excellently for the remainder of his term, and we wish him every happiness in his later endeavours.”
First Minister Carwyn Jones, who oversaw the reshuffle, said: “I give my heartfelt thanks to John Griffiths, Jeff Cuthbert and Gwenda Thomas as they leave Government.
“I have valued their hard work, advice and loyalty and I look forward to their continued contribution to Welsh politics and public life.”
All eyes might be on Scotland, but in Cardiff Bay at least politics is going on as normal.
Leighton Andrews returns to the Front Line of Welsh Politics in cabinet
reshuffle which sees Jeff Cuthbert no longer serving in the new cabinet,
he has also stated he is leaving font line politics.
This was a major reshuffle with one main objective – bring
back one of Welsh Labour’s big beasts to the front-line, and send a
signal to local councils that the Welsh government is serious about
forcing them to merge. (Welsh Assembly Words, Not mine), so what hope the decision of the magnificent seven?????The Caerphilly Borough Council Cabinet who have said they will not `Merge`.
Jeff Cuthbert has worked tirelesly for his constituents since becoming an AM, we should all be grateful that he took up the role for Labour after such a disasterous series of political and press attacks on our last representative, not all deserved as it has turned out, and retained the seat for Labour then and ever since.
I was disappointed to hear that Jeff is standing down as a Welsh Government Minister. He has been an excellent Minister and has gained for himself a very good reputation. Jeff has also announced that he will not be seeking re-election as the AM for Caerphilly at the next Assembly election. Undoubtedly, many people will be saddened by this and he will be a difficult act to follow.