David Melding won’t stand again at Senedd election
David Melding AM has announced that he will not be contesting the 2021 Senedd election.
The Conservative AM has represented the South Wales Central region since the first Welsh Assembly was formed in May 1999.
He served as the Deputy Presiding Officer between 2011 and 2016.
He is one of only five AMs, alongside Elin Jones, Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Kirsty Williams and Carwyn Jones, to have remained an AM since 1999.
‘Irreplacable’
Paul Davies AM, Leader of the Welsh Conservative Assembly Group, paid tribute to his colleague.
“It is difficult to overstate the incredible contribution David has made to the political landscape of recent years in Wales, and to the success of devolution – and of the Welsh Conservatives in the Assembly, including writing manifestos for the 2003, 2007, and 2011 elections,” he said.
“In his 21 years – from the very first term – as an Assembly Member, he has brought an academic’s insight, tact, reasoned argument, and wit to life and work in the Senedd, and beyond.
“David’s proposals on the Wales’ housing crisis and to end rough sleeping in Wales will be at the forefront of the Welsh Conservative manifesto for 2021; this is testament to his unwavering belief in standing up for all in our society.
“He is irreplaceable, and – I say this without fear of contradiction – one of the champions of Welsh democracy and devolution.
“I am sure that Members across all parties will join me in thanking him for his work.
“He will be missed, and although I am sad not to have David on my team following the 2021 election, I am delighted that David will be further developing the Gorwel think-tank.
“He will continue to inspire students and those involved in politics to think more widely about the impact of policies, and his influence and legacy will be felt in the years to come.”
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He is the one Tory I have any respect for. A believer in the SENEDD , very conciliatory to opposition partys. A great loss to our parliament, he will be sorely missed. Fortunately, he was not party to this extreme right wing cabal that have taken over the Tory party
This is very sad news. I have great respect for David Melding, and always felt when listening to him speak that here is an erudite and articulate man of vigorous intellect, a man of quiet integrity, expressing his views in a measured and temperate manner, and evidently a proud Welshman who has given great thought to Wales’ constitutional future. I sincerely hope and trust that he will continue in some capacity to serve his country.
A great thinker and believe in devolution. Someone who happily puts party loyalty aside too. Something others should aim for.
(BTW Ann Jones, Lynne Negal and John Griffiths have all served since 1999 too.)
Certainly Wales can ill afford to lose people of his calibre.
Blimey, the good guys are falling like autumn leaves………………………..
That’s a sign of the times. Parties more at ease nominating any old deviant as candidates – perjurers, race haters, “brown envelopers”, and the usual mix of political opportunists and careerists out to con a nice living while pretending to represent “the people”.
I am sorry to hear about this. David Melding certainly fought his corner for Wales and for more powers for The Senedd. Thank you for your service David.
Diolch yn Fawr.
It’s a very real tribute to David Melding that, thus far, every single one of the comments on this thread are positive and congratulatory. I try to follow the debates in the Senedd as much as I can, and every time Mr Melding contributes I’m reminded of the Conservative party in my young days in the ’60s, when I used to put up posters for the Conservatives – all I could do at the time, since they didn’t let you vote until you were 21 back then! No way would I ever vote for the party which the Conservatives have… Read more »
The praise for Mr Melding is well deserved, but was the Senedd ever his niche? Once upon a time, before they became degree factories, the independence of universities and tenure of staff bred radical thought. Some say their replacements- the think-tanks are a sign of a maturing democracy in Wales, but they lack independence- “he who pays the piper…”. Wales desperately needs a program of national renewal: people with the ideas and politicians with leadership skills and political intelligence to drive those through, qualities unlikely to be found in the same people or institutions.
Melding is not only a nice gent but he’s quite radical by Conservative Party standards — a unionist, perhaps, but a believer in Wales and a supporter of a federal arrangement with grown-up political powers for Cymru. The Senedd will definitely be a poorer place without him. I hope he gets to read all these favourable comments.