Huw Lewis

Huw Lewis

Huw Lewis was the assembly member (AM) for the Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney constituency in the National Assembly for Wales from 1999 to 2016, when he stepped down for re-election. In his time in office, Lewis held a number of ministerial posts, including minister for education & skills.

Background

Born in Merthyr Tydfil in 1964, he was educated at Edinburgh University and taught chemistry at his former secondary school, Afon Taf High School, Merthyr Tydfil. Prior to his election to the National Assembly in May 1999, he served as assistant general secretary of the Welsh Labour Party. He is married to Lynne Neagle, the Labour assembly member for Torfaen.

Political career

He was elected to the National Assembly for Wales in 1999 as a Labour and Co-operative Party candidate to represent Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney. In his time in office, he has served as party Whip in the Assembly; deputy minister for education and lifelong learning; deputy minister for social justice and regeneration; deputy minister for the economy and transport, for which he was fired in 2007 due to his private opposition to One Wales coalition deal with Plaid Cymru ; and minister for education and skills in 2013, replacing Leighton Andrews who resigned following a row over his support for a school in his Rhondda constituency which faced closure under his own surplus places policy.

Outside Westminster

In October 2016, Lewis was given approval by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) to take up a role as consultant for the University of South Wales, providing strategic advice on the university's role in teacher education and chairing a working group on anti-poverty. The committee noted that Lewis had had dealings with universities during his time in office, but not on issues of funding or regulation. The approval of the appointment was conditional on him not lobbying the Welsh government on behalf of the University of South Wales, or making use of contacts in government to secure funding.