Last week I made a return to the Siambr and spoke honestly about the last few weeks and how those events have impacted me. I have received hundreds of messages of support from people of all political persuasions, friends, family and people who I’ve had contact with in my community and for these messages I am truly grateful.
Please see below for my full statement in the Siambr…
Diolch, Llywydd. Hoffwn i ddechrau trwy ddweud diolch i bawb a anfonodd negeseuon i fi. Diolch o galon.
Thank you, Llywydd. I’d like to start by thanking everyone who sent messages to me. Thank you very much.
I may not have been in a position to respond to them all, but they meant a lot and they made a difference. This is not a statement that is easy for me to make, nor one that I take lightly. Indeed, there have been times in the not too recent past when I was not sure I would or could stand and speak in this Siambr again. I do so today because I know my removal from Government has been a focus of discussion in this place while I have not been here. I also feel a sense of responsibility to those closest to me and to my many constituents who have demonstrated great patience, understanding and confidence in me.
Llywydd, I will start by just briefly addressing the circumstances around my leaving Government. I know that I can look all my colleagues who sit on these benches in the eye and say that I have never leaked or briefed the media about any of you. In fact, I can say that to everyone in the Siambr. Whilst I will not share the detail, I will share that I have formally raised concerns about the process by which I was removed from Government, including not being shown any alleged evidence before being sacked, not being made aware that I was ever under investigation and that at no point was I advised or was it evidenced that I may have broken the ministerial code. I absolutely recognise and respect that it is within the gift of any First Minister to appoint and remove members of their Government. I understand the nature of politics and completely accept that. I raise concerns not out of self-interest, but because I fundamentally believe in devolution and public service. I have also very real concerns that lessons have not been learned from the past. Proper process not only needs to be in place and followed for the dignity and respect of individuals involved, but also to uphold the integrity of the civil service and the office of the First Minister.
I want to take a moment to reflect on something that is very personal and somewhat difficult for me, but I feel it’s important to say for the sake of how we do politics. I know that there’s been speculation about my circumstances and about whether I have been well enough to work. This has ranged from what was tantamount to misinformation and what could be put down to misunderstanding. It should not be surprising that what happened has been hugely detrimental to me on a personal level, and led to acute anxiety and stress. I have never been signed off work before when I have struggled with this in itself, but there was a point when the thought of just putting my camera on to vote and seeing you all literally took my breath away. I share this now not in search of sympathy—I don’t want people’s sympathy—but because my recent experience has brought home to me that whilst we all talk the talk on mental health, there is still more to do to improve our understanding and the impact that it has on individuals and their ability to do things we would ordinarily take for granted. Sadly, I think, sometimes, we get so caught up in the politics that we don’t always think about the person.
I recently listened to a podcast called Broken Politicians, Broken Politics. I am not broken, but I know now more than I did before that I am breakable, as, actually, we all are, and I don’t believe politics is broken, but it certainly could be better. We’ve talked often in this place of a kinder politics, but we can’t have a kinder politics without kinder people, and we won’t get better politics without being better people. Our own conduct and character is key to the public having trust in those who serve them and believing that politics can be a force for good.
Llywydd, it has been a privilege to serve in my country’s Government, particularly under the leadership of Mark Drakeford. The trade union movement not only shaped my values, it helped give me my voice, and I am proud to have taken through the most progressive trade union legislation in the devolution era. And a younger me, who struggled with her sexuality, would never, ever have believed that, one day, I would spearhead the plan to make Wales the most LGBTQ+ friendly nation in Europe.
I am truly grateful for that opportunity and it will always, always be an absolute privilege to serve the community that shaped me as a Member of the Senedd. I’m only who I am and where I am because of where I come from. And in spite of the challenges and the difficulties—perhaps because of them—I do feel a renewed sense of commitment to the politics of public service and a real determination to continue to contribute to our devolved democracy, my community and our country. Diolch.