Former Liberal Democrat AM for South Wales West retires from national politics

The former Welsh Liberal Democrats Regional Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, has announced that he will not be seeking to return to the Welsh Assembly when his party selects its list candidates for the 2021 elections early next year.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have set in train the process for selecting candidates to contest the seat that Mr. Black held for seventeen years representing Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend, with an advert on the party’s website and an email to all those approved as suitable for selection. The former AM and past Deputy Minister, will not be putting his name forward, however. Instead he will be concentrating on his role as Deputy Lord Mayor and local councillor, as well as pursuing other opportunities.

Commenting on his decision, Mr Black said: “I had 17 very happy and fruitful years in the Welsh Assembly in which I successfully piloted private members legislation on Park Homes onto the statute book, helped set up Wales first national homelessness strategy, negotiated the creation of the Pupil Development Grant to provide extra funding for disadvantaged children, led a review of school transport policy and of special educational needs that is now manifesting itself in new legislation, campaigned on many local issues and helped hundreds of local people with their problems. It is now time for others to take their opportunity to make a difference for Wales and our local area.

“There are a large number of very talented and able candidates who can take on the job of representing Welsh Liberal Democrat values in the Assembly and of championing the needs of Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend there. I encourage them all to put their name forward so that party members can hear what they have to say and choose the best possible candidates for the next Assembly elections. I will still be active locally and in supporting those candidates and I wish them the best of luck and good fortune in securing election to the Welsh Assembly in two and a half years time.”