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Andrew Davies to step down as AM Andrew Davies to step down as AM
(4 days later)
Welsh finance minister Andrew Davies is to step down as an assembly member at the next elections in May 2011. Finance Minister Andrew Davies is to step down from the Welsy assembly at the next election in May 2011.
Mr Davies, 57, has represented Swansea West for Labour since the assembly was created 10 years ago.Mr Davies, 57, has represented Swansea West for Labour since the assembly was created 10 years ago.
He was the key figure backing AM Edwina Hart who lost out to Carwyn Jones in the Welsh Labour leadership contest. He was the key figure backing Edwina Hart, who lost out to Carwyn Jones in the Welsh Labour leadership contest.
Making the announcement, Mr Davies said it is "time for me to have a greater balance and change of pace in my life and to seek out new challenges".Making the announcement, Mr Davies said it is "time for me to have a greater balance and change of pace in my life and to seek out new challenges".
He is the eighth Labour AM to announce that they will not contest the 2011 elections. He is the eighth Labour AM to announce that they will not contest the 2011 election.
His decision will lead to renewed speculation that he will lose his portfolio in the reshuffle Mr Jones is expected to carry out when he is confirmed as first minister next week.His decision will lead to renewed speculation that he will lose his portfolio in the reshuffle Mr Jones is expected to carry out when he is confirmed as first minister next week.
Amazing experienceAmazing experience
Mr Davies said he had the "honour and privilege" to have represented his Swansea West constituency and to have worked as a minister alongside Rhodri Morgan for the last 10 years.Mr Davies said he had the "honour and privilege" to have represented his Swansea West constituency and to have worked as a minister alongside Rhodri Morgan for the last 10 years.
"No one will ever be able to repeat what we have done," said Mr Davies, adding that he had decided to stand down after "a great deal of thought over the past year"."No one will ever be able to repeat what we have done," said Mr Davies, adding that he had decided to stand down after "a great deal of thought over the past year".
"I have enjoyed the amazing experience of the last ten years, representing Wales and the people of Swansea West and I hope I have delivered for both.""I have enjoyed the amazing experience of the last ten years, representing Wales and the people of Swansea West and I hope I have delivered for both."
He said Wales and Swansea are "very different places" than they were in 1999.He said Wales and Swansea are "very different places" than they were in 1999.
He added: "Wales is a much more confident country than it was before the assembly was established and the face of Swansea has changed immeasurably. "He added: "Wales is a much more confident country than it was before the assembly was established and the face of Swansea has changed immeasurably. "
Paying tribute, First Minister Rhodri Morgan said Mr Davies was one of only four ministers in the current administration who has served in the Cabinet continuously for the last 10 years.Paying tribute, First Minister Rhodri Morgan said Mr Davies was one of only four ministers in the current administration who has served in the Cabinet continuously for the last 10 years.
True political heavyweightTrue political heavyweight
"Being business manager was a 'natural' for Andrew given his experience as a Labour Party organiser in Transport House. It was far from easy keeping government business on track in a minority administration. Andrew's skills in this area were legendary," said Mr Morgan."Being business manager was a 'natural' for Andrew given his experience as a Labour Party organiser in Transport House. It was far from easy keeping government business on track in a minority administration. Andrew's skills in this area were legendary," said Mr Morgan.
"That same set of skills saw Andrew in good stead in overseeing the merger of the WDA and the Wales Tourist Board into the assembly government administrative set-up, when he was economic development minister."That same set of skills saw Andrew in good stead in overseeing the merger of the WDA and the Wales Tourist Board into the assembly government administrative set-up, when he was economic development minister.
"He was also instrumental in cementing the close working relationship we have built up with the business and trade union community, foundations which are of huge value now, both in how we handle the recession and in the role he has most recently held as finance and public services minister.""He was also instrumental in cementing the close working relationship we have built up with the business and trade union community, foundations which are of huge value now, both in how we handle the recession and in the role he has most recently held as finance and public services minister."
Fellow Swansea AMs, Gower's Edwina Hart and Swansea East's Val Lloyd said: "While we were aware that Andrew has been thinking about his future and quality of life for sometime we still find it sad that he has decided to stand down."Fellow Swansea AMs, Gower's Edwina Hart and Swansea East's Val Lloyd said: "While we were aware that Andrew has been thinking about his future and quality of life for sometime we still find it sad that he has decided to stand down."
"Andrew is a true political heavyweight delivering time and time again for Swansea West as an AM and for Wales as a minister. Welsh Labour and the Assembly will be a poorer place without him.""Andrew is a true political heavyweight delivering time and time again for Swansea West as an AM and for Wales as a minister. Welsh Labour and the Assembly will be a poorer place without him."
Before entering politics, Mr Davies qualified as a teacher and counsellor and also worked in the motor industry.Before entering politics, Mr Davies qualified as a teacher and counsellor and also worked in the motor industry.
In May 2008, he underwent a procedure at hospital to unblock an artery after chest pains.In May 2008, he underwent a procedure at hospital to unblock an artery after chest pains.