Biography
I have been the Labour Member of Parliament for Aberavon since 2001 and was re-elected in May 2005.
My main Parliamentary interests include steel, carers, disability, lifelong learning, local environmental issues and International Development.
Prior to being Aberavon’s MP I was Professor of Continuing Education at Swansea University where I was the founder of the South Wales Miners’ Library and a prime-mover in the creation of the Community University of the Valleys. My main work was to provide part-time study opportunities for adults in the local community.
I served as Special Policy Adviser to the Secretary of State for Wales Rt. Hon Paul Murphy MP in 1999-2000.
In the last Parliament I successfully sponsored the Carers Equal Opportunities Act 2004 and was a member of the Welsh Affairs Committee. I was elected the new Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee in July 2005. I was the chair of the All Party Steel and Cast Metal Group and I am the new chair of the All Party Carers Group and I have been made Vice-President of Carers UK and Honorary Parliamentary Patron of the adult learners’ body, NIACE.
I am actively involved in a wide range of organisations in my Constituency. I am President of Côr Meibion Aberafan, Port Talbot Town Cricket Club, the South Wales Miners’ Museum, Briton Ferry Brunel Dock Regeneration Programme, Port Talbot Epilepsy Support Group and the Neath Port Talbot Carers Action Movement, as well as Honorary Life Member of SNAC, The Port Talbot children’s disability club and Vice-President of Aberavon RFC.
My Early Day Motion on Carers and Flexible Working attracted the support of over 300 MPs, amongst the largest support of any EDM since the General Election.
I have always taken an active part in all-Wales issues and I am Welsh speaking. I was made a member of the Gorsedd in 1986, was the chair of the Wales Congress in Support of Mining Communities in 1984-86 and national convenor of the Yes for Wales Campaign in 1997.
I am the founding chair of the Paul Robeson Wales Trust and a founder and trustee of the Bevan Foundation, an independent think-tank in Wales. I am also patron of the Josef Herman Foundation. I am involved in all these activities because I have a strong commitment to social justice and equality.
I am currently working with Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, local schools and other local bodies to establish a Richard Burton Young People’s Theatre and an independent Carers’ Centre.
I was chosen ‘Campaigner of the Year for 2006’ by ITV1 Wales for my work on behalf of carers and most recently received a Development Trust Association Award for supporting local community groups.
February 2008