I HOPE readers will indulge me some personal reflections in this my last column as Assembly Member for Islwyn.

I’ve never missed a day of business in the Welsh Assembly and every one of those days I have been conscious of the great privilege to represent my constituents.

My last meeting of party members was held at the magnificent Newbridge Memo.

It was in a rather different condition when I was selected to be Labour’s Islwyn candidate for the Assembly in 2011.

Since it’s re-opening in 2013, the building has attracted more than 100,000 visitors per year.

It was therefore with much delight for me that the Islwyn Labour Party has decided to regularly host our future meetings at this Welsh icon.

I urge people to use this wonderful community facility.

The former miners’ institute is a lasting monument to the miners who worked so hard to build it. It invokes the Wales of our past and for me memories of my father Harold Price, a miner and Labour Party Councillor. I can still see my father now gasping for breath on a short walk, due to pneumoconiosis, as he looked down on the valley. I have often wondered what he and my Mam Blanche would have thought seeing their boy Gwyn representing our people in the National Assembly for Wales.

I have never been a politician given to theatrical flourishes. I have rather placed value on getting down to work. Over the last five years I have diligently been a member of the Communities, Equalities & Local Government Committee and the Health & Social Care Committee. Much important work is done in these committees to hear evidence from interested parties as we scrutinise proposed legislation.

One such bill was the Public Health (Wales) Bill.

Attention was given to it falling in the chamber on the last business day when Plaid Cymru voted against the bill in a last-minute stunt meaning the assembly was tied 26-26 and the bill failed to pass. On the floor of the assembly Plaid reversed their intention of a free vote of their AMs and instead voted against the bill. Plaid need to move beyond the politics of the students union.

I would like to thank my wife Gaynor for all her support during my years in elected office. She has been a rock. Thank you to all my constituents and please make sure that you cast your votes on 5th May.