Tom Middlehurst

Last updated

1963‍–‍1999
Patricia Mary
​
(m. 1986)​
Tom Middlehurst
Middlehurst, Tom (53964360802) (cropped).jpg
Official portrait, 1999
Assembly Secretary for Education and Training
In office
12 May 1999 –9 October 2000
Children2
Alma mater Liverpool Polytechnic
Signature Tom Middlehurst signature.png

Thomas Middlehurst (born 25 June 1936) is a British retired politician who served as Leader of Flintshire County Council from 1996 to 1999 and Assembly Secretary for Education and Training in the National Assembly for Wales from 1999 to 2000. A member of the Labour Party, he was Assembly Member (AM) for Alyn and Deeside from 1999 until his retirement in 2003.

Contents

Middlehurst was born in Ormskirk, Lancashire, England. He was educated at Ormskirk Grammar School, Wigan Technical College and Liverpool Polytechnic, and in his early life lived in Skelmersdale. He was an engineering apprentice from 1952 to 1957 and worked as an engineer at the National Coal Board from 1957 to 1963, before working as an engineer and manager in the private sector until 1971. In 1971, he moved to Wales and became a local government officer for Flintshire County Council and its successor Clwyd County Council, remaining in this job until 1993.

In 1963, Middlehurst was elected as a Labour councillor for Skelmersdale Urban District Council, stepping down in 1968. In Wales, he was elected to Alyn and Deeside District Council in 1986 and Clwyd County Council in 1993 before becoming the first leader of the re-established Flintshire County Council in 1996, where he implemented council tax increases and cut local services to balance the budget. He also fought to prevent the closure of Theatr Clwyd and persuaded Terry Hands to become its director. From 1997 to 1999, he also chaired the Welsh Local Government Association.

In the first election to the National Assembly for Wales in 1999, Middlehurst was elected as AM for Alyn and Deeside. He was appointed to the cabinet of First Secretary Alun Michael as Assembly Secretary for Education and Training. In this role, he implemented free entry for children to galleries and museums, reformed the post-16 system of education and training and trialled a welfare scheme for benefit claimants in Newport, Torfaen and Monmouthsire. He also intervened in the Wales Millennium Centre project to keep government spending under control. He remained in his post under Michael's successor Rhodri Morgan until October 2000, when he resigned in protest of Labour's coalition agreement with the Liberal Democrats. He retired at the 2003 assembly election after becoming disillusioned with the politics of the National Assembly.

Early life

Thomas Middlehurst [1] [2] was born in Ormskirk, Lancashire, England on 25 June 1936. [3] He was educated at Ormskirk Grammar School, Wigan Technical College and Liverpool Polytechnic. He was an engineering apprentice from 1952 to 1957 and worked as an underground engineer at the National Coal Board from 1957 to 1963. He then worked in the private sector as an engineer and manager of work studies until 1971. [3] He was also a fitter and lived in Sherrat Street, Skelmersdale. [2] [4]

Career in local government

Middlehurst is a member of the Labour Party. In the 1960s, he was the secretary of the local branch of the Labour Party in Skelmersdale. [2] In the 1963 local elections, he stood for election to the Old Skelmersdale ward [5] in Skelmersdale Urban District Council to fill the vacancy left by the death of Labour councillor Tom Pye. [2] He was elected for a term of 12 months, the remainder of Pye's term, with 830 votes. [6] He stood for re-election in the 1964 local elections, where he won a second 12 month term, [6] [7] and the 1965 local elections. [8] In 1966, he was elected chair of the council's parks committee. [9] In 1968, Skelmersdale Urban District Council was abolished and replaced by Skelmersdale and Holland Urban District Council; Middlehurst was one of six Labour councillors who did not stand for election to the new council. [10] [11]

In 1971 Middlehurst moved to Wales, settling in Ewloe, Flintshire. [3] [12] He worked as a local government officer for Flintshire County Council and its successor Clwyd County Council until 1993. [3] In the 1987 local elections, he was elected as one of two councillors for Ewloe in Alyn and Deeside District Council alongside Conservative councillor P. Bernie. Middlehurst was re-elected alongside Bernie in the 1991 local elections and also served as the chair of the council's housing committee. [13] [3] He was also elected unopposed [14] as the councillor for Sealand in Clwyd County Council at the 1993 local elections, where he went on to chair the personnel committee. [15] [3]

Leader of Flintshire County Council

In 1994 the government reorganised local government in Wales, with Clwyd County Council and Alyn and Deeside District Council set to be abolished and replaced by a re-established Flintshire County Council from 1996. [16] At the 1995 local elections, Middlehurst was elected alongside Labour colleague Alison Halford as one of two incoming councillors for Ewloe in Flintshire County Council. [17] On 31 May 1995, the incoming members of the council elected him as Leader of the Council. [18] He formally took office as the first leader of the reconstituted council on its re-establishment in 1996, becoming leader of a Labour majority administration. [19] [20]

Middlehurst became Leader of Flintshire County Council on a background of government spending cuts for the county of Flintshire. This meant the council had to raise an extra £3 million in 1996 to provide services at the same standard as provided by its predecessors. [20] To avoid cuts to education and social services, Middlehurst announced a 25% rise in council tax and the creation of a new advisory service for benefits and welfare rights in March. [19] [21] He chose to cut other services to balance the budget. [21] The financial issues also threatened the future of Theatr Clwyd. As council leader, Middlehurst fought to prevent the theatre's closure. [3] [22] In May 1997, he persuaded Terry Hands to become its director and draw up a plan to secure its future, helping to successfully save the theatre. [23] [24] [25]

In December 1996, Middlehurst said he was considering another rise in council tax, this time by 20%, and cutting spending by 8% to maintain services for 1997. However, the government blocked the council from implementing any more council tax increases in that year; as a result the decision was made to cut more services instead. By February 1997, spending on all services including education had been cut by 8%. [26] [27] In December 1997, Middlehurst announced that the government had allowed the council to implement more tax rises, meaning that services would not need to be cut in 1998 and 1999 like in the previous two years. [28] In May 1998, the Audit Commission published its report on the financial performance of local authorities in Wales. Flintshire was judged to have performed above average in most areas while also underperforming in other areas, particularly in the levels of funding for school pupils. [29]

On 4 December 1998, Middlehurst was shortlisted for Labour's prospective candidacy in the constituency of Alyn and Deeside in the first election to the soon-to-be established National Assembly for Wales. [12] His candidacy was confirmed on 18 December. At the time, he refused to be drawn on his future as Leader of Flintshire County Council should he be elected to the National Assembly. [12] [30]

National Assembly for Wales

In 1999, Middlehurst became Assembly Member for Alyn and Deeside (pictured above in red) in the National Assembly for Wales Alyn and Deeside (Assembly constituency).svg
In 1999, Middlehurst became Assembly Member for Alyn and Deeside (pictured above in red) in the National Assembly for Wales

At the first election to the National Assembly for Wales on 6 May 1999, Middlehurst was elected as Assembly Member (AM) for Alyn and Deeside with 9,772 votes, or 51.35% of the popular vote in the constituency; he had a majority of 6,359 votes. [3] The constituency had a voter turnout of 32%, the lowest in Wales; it had voted against establishing a devolved assembly in the 1997 devolution referendum by a wide margin. [31] [3] In an interview for the Flint and Holywell Chronicle on 14 May, Middlehurst said the low voter turnout showed that his constituents still did not see the new assembly as having any relevance. He said his role was now to prove to his constituents that the National Assembly and the decisions made in it were relevant to their everyday lives, and that to do this he had to work "diligently over a number of years" and explain "to people what we [assembly members] do and why we are doing it". [31] He resigned as Leader of Flintshire County Council on the same day. The council's controlling Labour group elected Alex Aldridge to succeed him. [32]

At the election, Labour on a national level won the most seats in the assembly but fell short of securing an absolute majority. Labour leader Alun Michael mooted a potential coalition with the Liberal Democrats which would give his administration a majority in the assembly. Middlehurst spoke out against a coalition and declared his support for a Labour minority administration; he said coalitions "give too much power to small parties so I don't think we will let the tail wag the dog." [31] In the event, Michael chose to dismiss a coalition and after being confirmed as First Secretary of Wales formed a Labour minority administration. The Labour group in the National Assembly organised itself into three factions, including a faction loyal to Michael, a faction of Welsh devolutionists and autonomists, and a third non-aligned faction which later became loyal to the devolutionist first secretary Rhodri Morgan following Michael's resignation in 2000; Middlehurst aligned himself with the third faction. [33]

Assembly Secretary for Education and Training

At the first plenary session of the National Assembly on 12 May 1999, First Secretary Alun Michael appointed Middlehurst to his cabinet as Assembly Secretary for Education and Training. [34] [35] [36] This made him the only member of the cabinet to represent a constituency in North Wales. [31] He had a broad portfolio and was responsible for the following policy areas: post-16 education and training, including further and higher education as well as work place and vocational training; employment and the New Deal; arts and culture, including museums and libraries; sports and recreation; and the Welsh language. [3] [37] [38] His appointment was criticised by Welsh language campaigners who pointed out that he could not speak or understand Welsh, although he had started to take lessons to learn the language. [3] [39] Supporters of his appointment noted that Middlehurst was not opposed to the promotion of Welsh like other members of the assembly, and that four in five people in Wales at the time also could not speak the language. [40] As Assembly Secretary for Education and Training, Middlehurst was also a member of and accountable to the Post-16 Education and Training Committee, which scrutinised his portfolio and worked with him to draw up policy. [41] [42] [43]

In addition to Middlehurst, the cabinet also had another education secretary in Rosemary Butler. Butler was appointed Assembly Secretary for Education and Childcare, a post which included responsibility for education to the age of 16. [44] [45] Although intended to have separate responsibilities, it was soon discovered that part of Butler's education portfolio inadvertently extended into post-16 education policy, leaving her and Middlehurst with overlapping responsibilities for policies relating to qualifications and the curriculum. [46] [44] Middlehurst's portfolio also overlapped with Rhodri Morgan's Economic Development portfolio in areas relating to employment and training and Peter Law's Environment and Local Government portfolio in areas relating to built heritage preservation. Middlehurst viewed these overlapping responsibilities as "an opportunity […] to consider major issues affecting Wales in a holistic rather than isolated way". [43] In February 2000, official responsibility for youth services was also transferred from Butler's portfolio to Middlehurst's. [33]

Middlehurst with First Secretary Rhodri Morgan (centre) and chief executive of the National Council for Education and Training Steve Martin (right) in August 2000 Steve Martin meets Rhodri Morgan and Tom Middlehurst.jpg
Middlehurst with First Secretary Rhodri Morgan (centre) and chief executive of the National Council for Education and Training Steve Martin (right) in August 2000

Middlehurst and Butler took office at a time of hostility in Wales toward the education policies introduced in England, and they avoided implementing any of the same policies which were being introduced there. [47] Middlehurst and the Post-16 Education and Training Committee drew up reforms to reorganise the system of post-16 education and training in Wales. [48] The reforms included abolishing training and enterprise councils and the Further Education Funding Council and replacing them with a new National Council for Education and Training which would administer and fund education. Other reforms included transferring responsibility for local provision from local education authorities to new community consortiums, and encouraging colleges and schools to cooperate more. [48] [49] Middlehurst said these reforms revolved around reducing competition between schools and colleges. The reforms were also presented as a way to improve standards in the system and make it more accessible. The reforms were controversial with teaching unions; there were fears that there would be cuts in sixth form funding to increase funding for further education, and leading trade unionists claimed that the new community consortiums would be more unreliant and costly. The unions also argued that local education authorities should continue to hold an important role in funding sixth forms. [48] The reforms were endorsed by the National Assembly in February 2000 and made law in July 2000. [49] [50]

In November 1999, Middlehurst launched a trial programme for welfare benefits called ONE in Newport, Torfaen and Monmouthsire with Labour MP David Hanson. The programme entitled benefit claimants in these areas to personalised welfare support and advice. [51] In the same month, he also announced a £58 million increase in funding for post-16 education and a £52 million increase in funding for the arts, culture and sport for 2000 and 2001. These increases in spending would pay for his policy [52] of introducing free entry for children to museums and galleries operated by the National Museum of Wales, a change which came into effect from April 2000. [53] [54] The spending increases would also pay for new apprenticeships and contribute to new financial support for children from poorer backgrounds. [53]

The Wales Millennium Centre, pictured above in 2008 Millennium centre 4 (2990275796).jpg
The Wales Millennium Centre, pictured above in 2008

In September 1999, reports that the completion of the Wales Millennium Centre would be delayed by nine months to 2002 led to calls for Middlehurst to clarify the timetable for its opening. [55] In October, Middlehurst confirmed that the centre would not be opened until 2002 because of an unexpected delay in financial agreements and planning permissions which were required before the project could continue as planned. [56] A year later, the expected costs of the project were projected to increase from the original budget of £70.2 million to an estimated £85 million. [57] To keep government spending under control, Middlehurst intervened and enforced a £75 million cap on spending for the project. He also requested a review of the existing plans for the project. [58] [57] Shortly after, the owner of the land on which the project was to be built put it up for sale, making the project's future uncertain. Middlehurst was consequently blamed in the press for the issues surrounding the project until his resignation in October 2000, even though Cardiff Council had made an offer to purchase the land to save the project in September. [59] [58]

Resignation from the cabinet and retirement

In October 1999, the opposition parties in the National Assembly passed a censure motion against Christine Gwyther, the assembly secretary for agriculture and rural development, after she attempted to introduce a £750,000 calf processing support scheme which was found to be illegal under EU regulations. [60] With the passage of the motion, the opposition parties expected Gwyther to resign. Gwyther refused to do so, and she secured the support of First Secretary Alun Michael and the cabinet to remain in her post. [61] Over the next few months, the opposition parties worked together to oust Michael from the premiership over his failure to secure EU Objective One funding for South West Wales and the South Wales Valleys. In February 2000, the opposition leaders jointly tabled a motion of no confidence in his premiership; the motion was passed by 31 votes to 27 votes because of Labour's minority status in the assembly and Michael resigned as first secretary. His economic development secretary Rhodri Morgan was elected by the assembly to succeed him. [60]

On the formation of Morgan's new administration in February 2000, Middlehurst remained in the cabinet as Assembly Secretary for Education and Training. Morgan decided against making any instant changes to the cabinet following Michael's resignation but did mention the possibility of changes later in the year, some of which he suggested could be the result of potential future deals with other parties. [62] By July, he had sacked Christine Gwyther. This prompted speculation over the potential dismissals of Middlehurst and Rosemary Butler later in the year, as it was possible that Morgan would formally merge their education portfolios in the cabinet. [63] Over the next few months, Morgan negotiated a coalition agreement with the Liberal Democrat leader Mike German. This would give his administration a working majority in the assembly. [64] [65] The deal was announced on 5 October and entitled the Liberal Democrats to two cabinet seats and several policy concessions including significant changes to education. [65] [66] Middlehurst later said he was concerned with these concessions. [67]

I have never envisaged an outcome where Liberals would sit in the Cabinet. That to me is too high a price to pay. Apart from this I have no regard for the Liberal Democrats and do not trust them as long-term allies. I cannot forget how they conspired with the Tories and the Nationalists to censure Christine Gwyther on wholly spurious grounds and then committed the ultimate act of treachery in aiding and abetting the downfall of Alun Michael.

Excerpt from Middlehurst's resignation letter to Rhodri Morgan in October 2000. [59]

Middlehurst resigned from the cabinet in protest of the coalition agreement on 9 October. [66] [68] He said he did "not accept the need for the Labour administration to work with the fourth largest party in the assembly [the Liberal Democrats]". He explained that he found the coalition unacceptable, as he did not agree with "significant issues" in its new policy programme and disagreed with the idea of the Liberal Democrats having two cabinet seats; he said he had "never envisaged" them serving in the cabinet and said it was "too high a price to pay" for a majority. [67] [68] He also said he was unable to trust them as political allies after they had worked with the other opposition parties to censure Christine Gwyther and force Alun Michael's resignation, the latter of which he described as the "ultimate act of treachery". [67] [69] Middlehurst's resignation was generally perceived as a move made to avoid his widely anticipated dismissal from the cabinet, as the coalition agreement also included the merger of Middlehurst's education portfolio with Butler's. [70] [59] Butler was indeed sacked not long after, with Jane Davidson appointed to manage a now combined education portfolio as Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning. [71]

In December 2001, Middlehurst announced that he would retire at the next assembly election in 2003. [72] He said he had grown disillusioned with the politics of the assembly since his resignation from the cabinet, stating: "I don't like the politics of this place". He criticised the opposition parties in the assembly for forcing Alun Michael's resignation and said they had harmed the assembly's reputation with the Welsh public, calling their behaviour in the assembly "an absolute disgrace". He also reaffirmed his disapproval of Labour's coalition with the Liberal Democrats, stating that it had given the latter "influence and power disproportionate to their number". [73] He said this was the result of the assembly's "failed" proportionally representative electoral system, which he claimed to have opposed, and added that his experience in the assembly had justified his support for the first-past-the-post electoral system. Other stated reasons for his retirement included the "demanding" journey from his constituency to the location of the assembly in Cardiff and personal issues relating to his family. For the remainder of his term, Middlehurst said he would continue to support Rhodri Morgan as first secretary and remain "committed to devolution". [73]

As intended, Middlehurst retired from the National Assembly at the 2003 assembly election. He was succeeded as AM for Alyn and Deeside by Carl Sargeant of the Labour Party. [74] He has provided political commentary since his retirement. After Labour fell short of a majority in the 2007 assembly election, Middlehurst opined that it was likely that Labour would seek another coalition agreement with the Liberal Democrats. Less likely, in his opinion, was an informal deal with Plaid Cymru. [75] Labour went on to form a coalition government with Plaid Cymru which lasted until 2011. [76] [77] In a letter to WalesOnline following the 2009 Welsh Labour leadership election, Middlehurst voiced his opposition to a proposed minister for North Wales. He advised the new party leader Carwyn Jones against acting on this proposal, as he believed introducing such a role would be a "token gesture that could prove extremely divisive" and "exacerbate the perceived divide" between the North and the perceivingly South-dominated National Assembly. [78] In 2011, he expressed concern over the Welsh Government's policy to appoint unelected commissioners to intervene in troubled local authorities and administer them, stating that these commissioners had no democratic legitimacy. [79]

Personal life

Middlehurst married Patricia Mary on 11 April 1986. He has two children from a previous marriage. He is a supporter of Everton Football Club and enjoys rugby league, theatre and crown green bowling. [3] He has served as the chairman of the Welsh Crown Green Bowling Association following his retirement from politics. [80]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denbighshire</span> County in Wales

Denbighshire is a county in the north-east of Wales. It borders the Irish Sea to the north, Flintshire to the east, Wrexham to the southeast, Powys to the south, and Gwynedd and Conwy to the west. Rhyl is the largest town, and Ruthin is the administrative centre. Its borders differ from the historic county of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flintshire</span> County in Wales

Flintshire is a county in the north-east of Wales. It borders the English ceremonial counties of Merseyside and Cheshire, across the Dee Estuary to the north and by land to the east respectively, Wrexham County Borough to the south, and Denbighshire to the west. Connah's Quay is the largest town, while Flintshire County Council is based in Mold.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flintshire (historic)</span> Historic county of Wales

Until 1974, Flintshire, also known as the County of Flint, was an administrative county in the north-east of Wales, later classed as one of the thirteen historic counties of Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flint, Flintshire</span> Town and community in Flintshire, Wales

Flint is a town and community in Flintshire, Wales, lying on the estuary of the River Dee. It is the former county town of Flintshire. According to the 2001 Census, the population of the community of Flint was 12,804, increasing to 12,953 at the 2011 census. The urban area including Holywell and Bagillt had a population of 26,442.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barry Jones, Baron Jones</span> British politician

Stephen Barry, Baron Jones is a British Labour Party politician who served as a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1970 to 2001, and since then as a life peer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">District of Alyn and Deeside</span> Former district of Clwyd, Wales

Alyn and Deeside was one of six local government districts in the county of Clwyd, north-east Wales from 1974 to 1996. There is still a parliamentary constituency of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alyn and Deeside (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom

Alyn and Deeside is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The constituency was created in 1983, and it elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first-past-the-post method of election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flintshire County Council</span> Local government of Flintshire, Wales

Flintshire County Council is the unitary local authority for the county of Flintshire, one of the principal areas of Wales. It is based at County Hall in Mold.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delyn (UK Parliament constituency)</span> UK Parliamentary constituency, 1983–2024

Delyn was a constituency last represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament from 2019 to 2024 by Rob Roberts, who was elected as a Conservative, but sat as an Independent following sexual harassment allegations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">District of Delyn</span> Former district of Clwyd, Wales

Delyn was a local government district with borough status from 1974 to 1996, being one of six districts in the county of Clwyd, north-east Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alyn and Deeside (Senedd constituency)</span> Constituency of the Senedd

Alyn and Deeside is a constituency of the Senedd. It elects one Member of the Senedd by the first past the post method of election. Also, however, it is one of nine constituencies in the North Wales electoral region, which elects four additional members, in addition to nine constituency members, to produce a degree of proportional representation for the region as a whole.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delyn (Senedd constituency)</span> Constituency of the Senedd

Delyn is a constituency of the Senedd. It elects one Member of the Senedd by the first past the post method of election. Also, however, it is one of nine constituencies in the North Wales electoral region, which elects four additional members, in addition to nine constituency members, to produce a degree of proportional representation for the region as a whole.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darren Millar</span> Welsh Conservative politician, MS for Clwyd West

Darren David Millar is a Welsh Conservative politician who has served as the Member of the Senedd (MS) for Clwyd West since 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carl Sargeant</span> Welsh politician

Carl Sargeant was a Welsh politician who was the Cabinet secretaries and ministers Secretary for Communities and Children in the Welsh Government. He represented the constituency of Alyn and Deeside in the National Assembly for Wales from 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connah's Quay</span> Town and community in Flintshire, Wales

Connah's Quay, known locally as "The Quay" and formerly known as Wepre, is a town and community in Flintshire, on the River Dee and next to the border with England. With a population of 16,771, it is the largest town in Flintshire. The town is also part of the wider Deeside conurbation and is contiguous with Shotton, Flint and Buckley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Wales (European Parliament constituency)</span> Former European Parliament constituency

North Wales was a European Parliament constituency which roughly covered the geographic region of North Wales, from 1979 until 1999. It was held by the Conservative Party from 1979 until 1989, during which time it was their only seat in Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Skates</span> Welsh politician (born 1976)

Kenneth Christian Skates is a Welsh Labour politician who has served as Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales since March 2024. Skates has represented the constituency of Clwyd South in the Senedd since the election of 2011. He is an alumnus of the University of Cambridge, and worked as a journalist prior to becoming a politician. In September 2014 he became the deputy minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport. From May 2016 to December 2018 he was the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills, and was the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales until he stood down on 13 May 2021. He held Economy, Transport and North Wales position again between July and September 2024 when he assumed the economy portfolio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 United Kingdom general election in Wales</span>

The 2015 United Kingdom general election in Wales was held on 7 May 2015 and all 40 seats in Wales were contested. The election for each seat was conducted on the basis of first-past-the-post.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Alyn and Deeside by-election</span> Welsh Assembly by-election

The Alyn and Deeside by-election, 2018 is a by-election that took place in the National Assembly for Wales constituency of Alyn and Deeside on Tuesday 6 February 2018, following the death of incumbent Labour AM Carl Sargeant on 7 November 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Sargeant (politician)</span> Welsh politician and Member of the Senedd

Jack Sargeant is a Welsh Labour Party politician serving as Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership since July 2024, and a Member of the Senedd (MS). He represents the Alyn and Deeside constituency, where he succeeded his father Carl Sargeant following the February 2018 by-election.

References

  1. ↑ "Election results for Alyn and Deeside / Alun a Glannau Dyfrdwy: National Assembly for Wales / Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru – Thursday, 6th May, 1999)". Flintshire County Council. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "As-You-Were Election" . Skelmersdale Reporter. No. 19. 9 May 1963. p. 1. Retrieved 5 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "People in the Assembly: Tom Middlehurst". BBC News. 1 September 1999. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  4. ↑ "Elections – Seven seats at Skelmersdale, five at Up Holland" . Skelmersdale Reporter. No. 69. 23 April 1964. p. 12. Retrieved 19 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Struggle for power on new council: Political parties begin campaigns" . Skelmersdale Reporter. No. 241. 10 August 1967. Retrieved 5 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  6. 1 2 "Skelmersdale Labour candidates" . Skelmersdale Reporter. No. 68. 16 April 1964. p. 2. Retrieved 5 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Association candidate tops Skelmersdale poll" . Skelmersdale Reporter. No. 71. 7 May 1964. p. 1. Retrieved 19 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Election Candidates: Skelmersdale" . Skelmersdale Reporter. No. 122. 29 April 1965. p. 10. Retrieved 5 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "On the threshold of greatness" . Skelmersdale Reporter. No. 178. 26 May 1966. p. 1. Retrieved 9 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Labour introduce a new look" . Skelmersdale Reporter. No. 267. 8 February 1968. p. 5. Retrieved 5 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "A good start is essential: first meeting of the new local authority" . Skelmersdale Reporter. No. 275. 4 April 1968. p. 6. Retrieved 5 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  12. 1 2 3 Taylor, Matthew (4 December 1998). "Focus on favourites in run up to election" . Flint and Holywell Chronicle. p. 17. Retrieved 6 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ Rallings, Colin; Thrasher, Michael (October 2015). "Alyn & Deeside Welsh District Council Election Results 1973–1991" (PDF). Plymouth University. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  14. ↑ "Local Elections: Clwyd" . Daily Post. 6 April 1993. p. 16. Retrieved 9 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ Rallings, Colin; Thrasher, Michael (November 2015). "Clwyd County Council Election Results 1973–1993" (PDF). Plymouth University. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  16. ↑ "Flintshire County Council". The Local Government Companion 2003. HM Stationery Office. 2003. p. 380. ISBN   978-0-1170-2767-1 . Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  17. ↑ Rawlings, Colin; Thrasher, Michael (June 2015). "Flintshire County Council Election Results 1995–2012" (PDF). Plymouth University. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  18. ↑ "Meeting documents: Flintshire County Council Tuesday, 30th May, 1995". Flintshire County Council. 30 May 1995. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  19. 1 2 Tattum, George (1 March 1996). "Council tax charges set to rise by 20 per cent" . Flint and Holywell Chronicle. No. 11, 965. p. 17. Retrieved 6 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  20. 1 2 Tattum, George (19 January 1996). "'New dawn' fears" . Flint and Holywell Chronicle. No. 11, 959. p. 3. Retrieved 6 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  21. 1 2 Tattum, George (15 March 1996). "Flintshire's plans to improve welfare" . Flint and Holywell Chronicle. No. 11, 967. p. 7. Retrieved 6 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  22. ↑ Tattum, George (16 May 1997). "Lottery windfall joy at theatre" . Flint and Holywell Chronicle. p. 4. Retrieved 19 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  23. ↑ Crump, Eryl (31 January 2015). "Terry Hands: Clwyd Theatr Cymru director on his 17 years at the helm". North Wales Live. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  24. ↑ Graham, James (29 May 2014). A History of Falling Things. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 5. ISBN   978-1-4081-4637-8 . Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  25. ↑ Isted, Gill (6 June 1997). "Theatre boss has vision for millennium" . Flint and Holywell Chronicle. p. 3. Retrieved 6 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  26. ↑ "Flintshire warns of 20% tax rise". Local Government Chronicle. 3 December 1996. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  27. ↑ Tattum, George (14 February 1997). "County education cuts to go ahead" . Flint and Holywell Chronicle. p. 3. Retrieved 6 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  28. ↑ "Council tax bills are set to rise" . Flint and Holywell Chronicle. 19 December 1997. p. 15. Retrieved 6 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  29. ↑ Tattum, George (1 May 1998). "Probe by spending watchdog shows area's mixed fortunes" . Flint and Holywell Chronicle. p. 2. Retrieved 6 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  30. ↑ "Candidates ready for Assembly" . Flint and Holywell Chronicle. 18 December 1998. p. 11. Retrieved 6 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  31. 1 2 3 4 MacDonald, Neil (14 May 1999). "Middlehurst to make parliament 'relevant'" . Flint and Holywell Chronicle. p. 15. Retrieved 6 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  32. ↑ MacDonald, Neil (14 May 1999). "Aldridge is ready for leadership challenge" . Flint and Holywell Chronicle. p. 14. Retrieved 6 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  33. 1 2 Osmond, John (March 2000). Devolution relaunched (PDF). Monitoring the National Assembly, December 1999 – March 2000. Institute of Welsh Affairs. pp. 6–7, 15. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  34. ↑ UKOpenGovernmentLicence.svg  This article incorporates text published under the British Open Government Licence : "Members of the Cabinet". National Assembly for Wales. 20 August 2000. Archived from the original on 20 August 2000. Retrieved 8 February 2024– via UK Government Web Archive.
  35. ↑ "Record of Votes & Proceedings for Wednesday 12th May" (PDF). The National Assembly for Wales Business Papers. National Assembly for Wales. 13 May 1999. Part II - Section H. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  36. ↑ UKOpenGovernmentLicence.svg  This article incorporates text published under the British Open Government Licence : "Annual Report 1999–2000: The Assembly Cabinet". National Assembly for Wales. 31 March 2000. Archived from the original on 22 July 2004. Retrieved 6 February 2024– via UK Government Web Archive.
  37. ↑ UKOpenGovernmentLicence.svg  This article incorporates text published under the British Open Government Licence : "Post 16 Education and Training". National Assembly for Wales. 13 June 2000. Archived from the original on 13 June 2000. Retrieved 8 February 2024– via UK Government Web Archive.
  38. ↑ UKOpenGovernmentLicence.svg  This article incorporates text published under the British Open Government Licence : "Cabinet Members: Tom Middlehurst AM (Labour - Alyn and Deeside)". National Assembly for Wales. 17 September 2000. Archived from the original on 17 September 2000. Retrieved 8 February 2024– via UK Government Web Archive.
  39. ↑ "Welsh farms chief is 'veggie'" . Western Daily Press. 15 May 1999. p. 2. Retrieved 6 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  40. ↑ Hannan, Patrick (2000). Wales Off Message: From Clapham Common to Cardiff Bay. Seren. pp. 67–68. ISBN   978-1-85411-293-4 . Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  41. ↑ UKOpenGovernmentLicence.svg  This article incorporates text published under the British Open Government Licence : "The Assembly Cabinet". National Assembly fot Wales. 16 August 2000. Archived from the original on 16 August 2000. Retrieved 8 February 2024– via UK Government Web Archive.
  42. ↑ "Post-16 Education and Training Committee: Report to the Assembly" (PDF). National Assembly for Wales. June 2000. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  43. 1 2 Jones, James Barry; Osmond, John (2001). Inclusive Government and Party Management: The National Assembly for Wales and the Work of Its Committees. Institute of Welsh Affairs. p. 64. ISBN   978-1-871726-69-5 . Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  44. 1 2 Rawlings, Richard (2003). Delineating Wales: Constitutional, Legal and Administrative Aspects of National Devolution. University of Wales Press. p. 99. ISBN   978-0-7083-1739-6 . Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  45. ↑ Baker, Mike (2 March 2001). "This ruptured isle". TES Magazine. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  46. ↑ Osmond, John (December 1999). Devolution: 'A Dynamic, Settled Process'? (PDF). Monitoring the National Assembly, July 1999 – December 1999. Institute of Welsh Affairs. p. 6. ISBN   978-1-8717-2651-0 . Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  47. ↑ Osmond, John (2006). Time to Deliver: The Third Term and Beyond; Policy Options for Wales. Institute of Welsh Affairs. p. 98. ISBN   978-1-904773-18-4 . Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  48. 1 2 3 "Assembly finalises radical education proposals". BBC News. 24 November 1999. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  49. 1 2 "Welsh transform post-16 education" . Times Higher Education. 4 February 2000. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  50. ↑ Osmond, John (September 2000). Devolution looks ahead (PDF). Monitoring the National Assembly, May – August 2000. Institute of Welsh Affairs. p. 15. ISBN   1-871726-63-8 . Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  51. ↑ "Pilot for red tape welfare revolution". BBC News. 29 November 1999. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  52. ↑ "Museum admission for free" . South Wales Echo. 27 July 1999. p. 6. Retrieved 11 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  53. 1 2 "Children set for free entry to museums" . South Wales Echo. 25 November 1999. p. 7. Retrieved 11 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  54. ↑ Osmond, John (May 2000). Devolution in Transition (PDF). Monitoring the National Assembly, February – May 2000. Institute of Welsh Affairs. p. 29. ISBN   978-1-8717-2658-9 . Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  55. ↑ "Demand over delay" . South Wales Echo. 23 September 1999. p. 7. Retrieved 18 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  56. ↑ "Delay for showpiece" . South Wales Echo. South Wales Echo. 12 October 1999. p. 7. Retrieved 18 February 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  57. 1 2 "Wales Millennium Centre costs in spotlight". BBC News. 13 September 2000. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  58. 1 2 "Wales Millenium Centre site 'saved'". BBC News. 29 September 2000. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  59. 1 2 3 Osmond, John (December 2000). Coalition Politics Comes to Wales (PDF). Monitoring the National Assembly, September – December 2000. Institute of Welsh Affairs. pp. 9, 64, 74. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  60. 1 2 Thomas, Alys; Laffin, Martin (January 2001). "The First Welsh Constitutional Crisis: The Alun Michael Resignation" . Public Policy and Administration. 16 (1): 18–31. doi:10.1177/095207670101600102. ISSN   0952-0767 . Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  61. ↑ Gibbs, Geoffrey (20 October 1999). "Welsh assembly censures agriculture secretary". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  62. ↑ "Morgan reshuffles assembly pack". BBC News. 22 February 2000. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  63. ↑ Gibbs, Geoffrey (25 July 2000). "Timing of sacking raises assembly questions". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  64. ↑ "Welsh cabinet member resigns". The Times. 10 October 2000. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  65. 1 2 Wintour, Patrick (6 October 2000). "Surprise Lib-Lab coalition in Wales". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  66. 1 2 Hutchins, Lisa (13 October 2000). "Millions needed to fund wish-list". TES Magazine. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  67. 1 2 3 "Morgan defends need for coalition". BBC News. 10 October 2000. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  68. 1 2 Gray, Chris (10 October 2000). "Minister resigns from Welsh Cabinet over Lib-Lab pact". The Independent. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  69. ↑ Jones, George (11 October 2000). "Welsh chief quits over Labour pact". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  70. ↑ Trench, Alan (2001). The State of the Nations 2001: The Second Year of Devolution in the United Kingdom. Imprint Academic. p. 18. ISBN   978-0-907845-19-5 . Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  71. ↑ "Butler is axed in reshuffle". TES Magazine. 20 October 1999. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  72. ↑ "Fourth AM to stand down at election" . Western Mail. 7 December 2001. p. 2. Retrieved 10 February 2024– via GALE Power Search.
  73. 1 2 "I don't like the politics of this place; AM's parting shot as he quits Assembly" . Daily Post. 7 December 2001. p. 8. Retrieved 10 February 2024– via GALE Power Search.
  74. ↑ "Welsh assembly election constituency: Alyn & Deeside". BBC News. 2003. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  75. ↑ "Morgan given 'mandate for talks'". BBC News. 8 May 2007. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  76. ↑ "Labour-Plaid coalition is sealed". BBC News. 7 July 2007. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  77. ↑ Garnett, Mark (13 May 2020). The Routledge Handbook of British Politics and Society. Routledge. p. 273. ISBN   978-1-317-19461-3 . Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  78. ↑ Middlehurst, Tom (9 December 2009). "Letter: A First Minister for the whole of Wales". WalesOnline. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  79. ↑ "Democracy fears over commissioners at Welsh councils". BBC News. 2 September 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  80. ↑ "Former bowls chief executive dies". BBC News. 7 September 2009. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
National Assembly for Wales
Preceded by
(new post)
 Assembly Member for Alyn and Deeside
1999 – 2003 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by
(new post)
 Assembly Secretary for Education and Training
1999–2000		Succeeded by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.