Edwina Hart
Encyclopedia
Edwina Hart, MBE
, AM (born 26 April 1957
) is a Welsh Labour politician who has represented the constituency of Gower
since the National Assembly for Wales
was established in 1999. Hart was appointed Minister for Health and Social Services in the Welsh Government in May 2007.
where she attended Gowerton Girls' Grammar School. She especially enjoyed English and Music and became a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales
. Today Edwina lives in Gowerton with her family; she has one daughter.
), 1992-1994. She also served as Chair of the Wales TUC (as did her husband, Bob Hart, in another year). Edwina would later receive an MBE
for Trade Union services. In 1998 Edwina also served as a member of the Broadcasting Council for Wales and sat on the board of the Wales Millennium Centre
. She also sat on the Employment Appeals Tribunal, was a member of the South West Wales Economic Forum and a director of Chwarae Teg
. Edwina is a member of T&GWU and Community as well as a life member of Amicus.
. She became the Assembly’s first Finance Secretary in 2000, this was changed to include responsibility for local government and she because Minister for Finance and Local Government.
She was re-elected to the Second Assembly in 2003, increasing her majority to 5688 (+8.2%) with 43.60% of the vote. After the election she took on the newly created Social Justice portfolio and became the Assembly’s first ever Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration Minister, whose responsibilities include community safety, youth justice, police relations, fire service, alcohol and drug abuse, social economy, anti-poverty, housing, social housing, the voluntary sector, issues relating to asylum and immigration, liaison for armed forces in Wales, veterans, regeneration of communities, and development.
She was once again re-elected to the Third Assembly in May 2007
with a reduced majority of 1192 (34.2% of the vote) and was appointed Minister for Health and Social Services (31 May 2007). She retained this position when the coalition government of Labour
and Plaid Cymru
was announced on 19 July.
In October 2009, Hart announced that she would stand for leadership of the Labour party in Wales after Rhodri Morgan
's retirement, on a commitment to carry on the "Clear Red Water" of Rhodri Morgan. Whilst she secured backing from a number of Unions and prominent figures such as Finance Minister Andrew Davies, Hart finished second in the Leadership contest. She retained her position as Minister for Health in the cabinet appointed by First Minister Carwyn Jones
.
In September 2010, Hart was accused by Welsh Liberal Democrats
of withholding a consultants' report that criticised the leadership of the NHS by the Welsh Government.
AM, Hart beat some other competition to take this prize including Welsh Secretary Peter Hain
. Hart also controversially ruled out a review of NHS spending in Wales on 12 November 2009, declining Liberal Democrat Kirsty Williams
request to review how £1 billion has been spent on NHS services, following evidence to the Welsh Assembly's Finance Committee that claimed £1 billion was 'wasted' in the Welsh NHS each year.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, AM (born 26 April 1957
1957 in Wales
This article is about the particular significance of the year 1957 to Wales and its people.-Incumbents:*Prince of Wales – vacant*Princess of Wales - vacant*Archbishop of Wales - John Morgan...
) is a Welsh Labour politician who has represented the constituency of Gower
Gower (National Assembly for Wales constituency)
Gower is a constituency of the National Assembly for Wales. It elects one Assembly Member by the first past the post method of election. Also, however, it is one of seven constituencies in the South Wales West electoral region, which elects four additional members, in addition to seven constituency...
since the National Assembly for Wales
National Assembly for Wales
The National Assembly for Wales is a devolved assembly with power to make legislation in Wales. The Assembly comprises 60 members, who are known as Assembly Members, or AMs...
was established in 1999. Hart was appointed Minister for Health and Social Services in the Welsh Government in May 2007.
Background
Hart was born and raised in GowertonGowerton
The village of Gowerton is situated about 4 miles north west of Swansea city centre, Wales. Gowerton is often known as the gateway to Gower. Gowerton's original name was Ffosfelin...
where she attended Gowerton Girls' Grammar School. She especially enjoyed English and Music and became a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales
National Youth Orchestra of Wales
The National Youth Orchestra of Wales , founded in 1945, has the distinction of being the first national youth orchestra in the world and is Europe’s longest-standing national youth orchestra....
. Today Edwina lives in Gowerton with her family; she has one daughter.
Professional career
Hart has worked in banking, where she became active in the trade union movement. As a result of this work she was elected as the first female president of BIFU (banking services union and now part of AmicusAmicus
Amicus was the United Kingdom's second-largest trade union, and the largest private sector union, formed by the merger of Manufacturing Science and Finance, the AEEU agreed in 2001, and two smaller unions, UNIFI and the GPMU...
), 1992-1994. She also served as Chair of the Wales TUC (as did her husband, Bob Hart, in another year). Edwina would later receive an MBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
for Trade Union services. In 1998 Edwina also served as a member of the Broadcasting Council for Wales and sat on the board of the Wales Millennium Centre
Wales Millennium Centre
Wales Millennium Centre is an arts centre located in the Cardiff Bay area of Cardiff, Wales. The site covers a total area of . Phase 1 of the building was opened during the weekend of the 26–28 November 2004 and phase 2 opened on 22 January 2009 with an inaugural concert...
. She also sat on the Employment Appeals Tribunal, was a member of the South West Wales Economic Forum and a director of Chwarae Teg
Chwarae Teg
Chwarae Teg - is a United Kingdom based charity working in Wales to support the economic development of women as well as working with businesses and organisations to develop and improve working practices.- History :...
. Edwina is a member of T&GWU and Community as well as a life member of Amicus.
Political career
Hart was elected to the First Assembly with 35.4% of the vote in 1999 for the constituency of GowerGower (National Assembly for Wales constituency)
Gower is a constituency of the National Assembly for Wales. It elects one Assembly Member by the first past the post method of election. Also, however, it is one of seven constituencies in the South Wales West electoral region, which elects four additional members, in addition to seven constituency...
. She became the Assembly’s first Finance Secretary in 2000, this was changed to include responsibility for local government and she because Minister for Finance and Local Government.
She was re-elected to the Second Assembly in 2003, increasing her majority to 5688 (+8.2%) with 43.60% of the vote. After the election she took on the newly created Social Justice portfolio and became the Assembly’s first ever Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration Minister, whose responsibilities include community safety, youth justice, police relations, fire service, alcohol and drug abuse, social economy, anti-poverty, housing, social housing, the voluntary sector, issues relating to asylum and immigration, liaison for armed forces in Wales, veterans, regeneration of communities, and development.
She was once again re-elected to the Third Assembly in May 2007
National Assembly for Wales election, 2007
The 2007 National Assembly election was held on Thursday 3 May 2007 to elect members to the National Assembly for Wales. It was the third general election. On the same day local elections in England and Scotland, and the Scottish Parliament election took place...
with a reduced majority of 1192 (34.2% of the vote) and was appointed Minister for Health and Social Services (31 May 2007). She retained this position when the coalition government of Labour
Wales Labour Party
Welsh Labour is the part of the United Kingdom Labour Party that operates in Wales. Labour is the largest and most successful political party in modern Welsh politics, having won the largest share of the vote at every UK General Election since 1922, every Welsh Assembly election since 1999, and...
and Plaid Cymru
Plaid Cymru
' is a political party in Wales. It advocates the establishment of an independent Welsh state within the European Union. was formed in 1925 and won its first seat in 1966...
was announced on 19 July.
In October 2009, Hart announced that she would stand for leadership of the Labour party in Wales after Rhodri Morgan
Rhodri Morgan
Hywel Rhodri Morgan is a Welsh Labour politician who, as First Secretary for Wales, and subsequently First Minister, was leader of the Welsh Assembly Government from 2000 to 2009. A former leader of Welsh Labour, he was the Assembly Member for Cardiff West from 1999 to 2011...
's retirement, on a commitment to carry on the "Clear Red Water" of Rhodri Morgan. Whilst she secured backing from a number of Unions and prominent figures such as Finance Minister Andrew Davies, Hart finished second in the Leadership contest. She retained her position as Minister for Health in the cabinet appointed by First Minister Carwyn Jones
Carwyn Jones
Carwyn Howell Jones is a Welsh politician and the First Minister of Wales. The third official to lead the Welsh Government, Jones has been Assembly Member for Bridgend since 1999. In the coalition government of Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru, he was appointed Counsel General for Wales and Leader of...
.
In September 2010, Hart was accused by Welsh Liberal Democrats
Welsh Liberal Democrats
The Welsh Liberal Democrats are one of the three state parties of the federal Liberal Democrats and operate within Wales, the others being the Scottish Liberal Democrats and the Liberal Democrats in England....
of withholding a consultants' report that criticised the leadership of the NHS by the Welsh Government.
The Media
Hart was nominated the best-dressed Welsh politician of the year. According to Peter BlackPeter Black (Welsh politician)
Peter Black is a Welsh Liberal Democrat politician, and Member of the Welsh Assembly for the South Wales West Region.-Background:...
AM, Hart beat some other competition to take this prize including Welsh Secretary Peter Hain
Peter Hain
Peter Gerald Hain is a British Labour Party politician, who has been the Member of Parliament for the Welsh constituency of Neath since 1991, and has served in the Cabinets of both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, firstly as Leader of the House of Commons under Blair and both Secretary of State for...
. Hart also controversially ruled out a review of NHS spending in Wales on 12 November 2009, declining Liberal Democrat Kirsty Williams
Kirsty Williams
Victoria Kirsty Williams is a British politician. She is the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and the Member of the Welsh Assembly for Brecon and Radnorshire.-Early life:...
request to review how £1 billion has been spent on NHS services, following evidence to the Welsh Assembly's Finance Committee that claimed £1 billion was 'wasted' in the Welsh NHS each year.
External links
- Edwina Hart MBE AM Website
- Welsh Labour Party Website
- Website for the Welsh Government
- Welsh Government Ministerial Page
- National Assembly for Wales Website
- Edwina Hart Common Purpose Link?
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8357125.stm Edwina Hart denies NHS spending review.