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Plaid Cymru assembly member Steffan Lewis dies aged 34 Plaid Cymru assembly member Steffan Lewis dies aged 34
(35 minutes later)
One of Wales' youngest assembly members has died at the age of 34.One of Wales' youngest assembly members has died at the age of 34.
Steffan Lewis, the Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales East, was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in late 2017.Steffan Lewis, the Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales East, was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in late 2017.
Mr Lewis, who was brought up in Crosskeys and Tredegar in the Gwent valleys, leaves his wife Shona and his son, Celyn. Mr Lewis, who was brought up in Crosskeys and Tredegar in the Gwent valleys, leaves his wife Shona and his three-year-old son, Celyn.
"He was our rock, he was our anchor and most certainly, our hero. To lose Steff is the greatest possible blow to our family," his family said."He was our rock, he was our anchor and most certainly, our hero. To lose Steff is the greatest possible blow to our family," his family said.
Adam Price, Plaid Cymru leader, said his party was in a state of shock at losing its "brightest star", while first minister Mark Drakeford said he was one of the "most decent and able politicians of his generation". Adam Price, Plaid Cymru leader, said his party was in a state of shock at losing its "brightest star", while First Minister Mark Drakeford said he was one of the "most decent and able politicians of his generation".
Flags have been lowered at the National Assembly in Cardiff Bay as a mark of respect.Flags have been lowered at the National Assembly in Cardiff Bay as a mark of respect.
In a tribute, Mr Lewis' family said: "Steff inspired us every day," In a tribute, Mr Lewis' family said: "Steff inspired us every day.
"Steff fought this disease with the same courage and determination that he applied to his politics, and even when he was in great pain and discomfort, he continued to serve the people he so dearly loved to represent."Steff fought this disease with the same courage and determination that he applied to his politics, and even when he was in great pain and discomfort, he continued to serve the people he so dearly loved to represent.
"We know that there are people throughout Wales who share our sense of loss.""We know that there are people throughout Wales who share our sense of loss."
His family said they will ensure "his legacy will live on forever - in our community, in our hearts and above all through his son".His family said they will ensure "his legacy will live on forever - in our community, in our hearts and above all through his son".
"Wales will not forget his contribution and his determination to make a difference to people's lives," they added."Wales will not forget his contribution and his determination to make a difference to people's lives," they added.
The AM was elected to the Assembly in 2016, having previously served as former leader Leanne Wood's speech writer. The AM was elected to the Welsh Assembly in 2016, having previously served as former leader Leanne Wood's speech writer.
It was in his work on Brexit, in his capacity as the party's spokesman on the subject, where he had his biggest impact.It was in his work on Brexit, in his capacity as the party's spokesman on the subject, where he had his biggest impact.
His proposal for an Act to enshrine EU rules into Welsh law was employed by the Welsh Government as a tactic in its negotiations with the UK government.His proposal for an Act to enshrine EU rules into Welsh law was employed by the Welsh Government as a tactic in its negotiations with the UK government.
His illness did not stop him from making contributions to Senedd debates, and AMs from across the parties rallied around the Plaid Cymru politician after he was diagnosed - taking part in a charity walk organised by Mr Lewis' sister Nia. His illness did not stop him from making contributions to Senedd debates, and AMs from across the parties rallied around the Plaid Cymru politician after he was diagnosed - taking part in a charity walk organised by Mr Lewis's sister, Nia.
He spoke about the emotional toll of living with cancer in interviews, saying he had learned it was "OK to be frightened".He spoke about the emotional toll of living with cancer in interviews, saying he had learned it was "OK to be frightened".
Adam Price, Plaid Cymru leader, said Mr Lewis was beloved by his friends in the party.Adam Price, Plaid Cymru leader, said Mr Lewis was beloved by his friends in the party.
"Steffan first addressed a Plaid Cymru conference at the age of 14. It was clear at that point that this was somebody that was going to have a big impact on the life of the nation," he said."Steffan first addressed a Plaid Cymru conference at the age of 14. It was clear at that point that this was somebody that was going to have a big impact on the life of the nation," he said.
"He will be remembered as a politician of rare talent who achieved an incredible amount during his time in elected office, which has been cut short in such harrowing circumstances.""He will be remembered as a politician of rare talent who achieved an incredible amount during his time in elected office, which has been cut short in such harrowing circumstances."
Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "I would like to express my own deep and personal sorrow at the loss of Steffan Lewis AM, one of the most decent and able politicians of his generation."
Elin Jones, the assembly's presiding officer and a Plaid Cymru AM, said: "Such a sad loss of one of our youngest and our best.Elin Jones, the assembly's presiding officer and a Plaid Cymru AM, said: "Such a sad loss of one of our youngest and our best.
"Steffan Lewis made such an impact in the Senedd - with a caring heart, a charming smile and an intellect the size of Wales. When Steffan spoke, we all listened. We'll still listen Steffan.""Steffan Lewis made such an impact in the Senedd - with a caring heart, a charming smile and an intellect the size of Wales. When Steffan spoke, we all listened. We'll still listen Steffan."
After the announcement was made tributes flooded in from across the Welsh Assembly. After the announcement was made, tributes flooded in from across the Welsh Assembly.
Welsh Conservative leader Paul Davies said: "His courage and his bravery throughout his illness will be an example to us all."Welsh Conservative leader Paul Davies said: "His courage and his bravery throughout his illness will be an example to us all."
Rhun ap Iorwerth, a fellow Plaid AM called Mr Lewis "a young gentleman of immense political ability". Rhun ap Iorwerth, a fellow Plaid AM, called Mr Lewis "a young gentleman of immense political ability".
Labour AM Dawn Bowden said it was a "very dark day", while former first minister Carwyn Jones said Mr Lewis was "admired across the parties." Labour AM Dawn Bowden said it was a "very dark day", while former First Minister Carwyn Jones said Mr Lewis was "admired across the parties."
Welsh Government education minister and Lib Dem AM Kirsty WIlliams said: "When he addressed the chamber you listened, because you knew he always had something thoughtful to say." Education minister and Liberal Democrat AM Kirsty Williams said: "When he addressed the chamber you listened because you knew he always had something thoughtful to say."
She said he was "exactly the kind of person the Assembly needs". She said he was "exactly the kind of person the assembly needs".
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds said: "Steffan was a talented and committed assembly member, he was popular and respected across political parties and he had a bright future ahead of him. It's tragic he's gone so young." Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds said: "Steffan was a talented and committed assembly member.
"He was popular and respected across political parties and he had a bright future ahead of him. It's tragic he's gone so young."