A PERMANENT memorial to AMs who have died while in office, such as Gwent's Steffan Lewis, should be set up at the Assembly, a prominent Welsh Tory has said.
Since the Assembly was founded in 1999 five AMs have died while in office, including Mr Lewis, who was elected to represent South Wales East in 2016, but died in January following a year-long battle with cancer, and ex-minister Carl Sargeant, who was found dead at his home in north Wales in November 2017.
Ex-Blaenau Gwent AM Peter Law also died while in office in 2006, as did Val Field, who was Swansea East AM from 1999 until her death in 2001, and Brynle Williams, who was North Wales AM from 2003 until 2011.
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Last year a plaque was unveiled at the Senedd in honour of Ms Field, and now ex-leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies has said a permanent memorial to all the AMs who have died while in office should be set up at the Assembly.
South Wales Central AM Mr Davies has written to presiding officer Elin Jones proposing the idea.
He said: “Whilst walking through the Assembly it has struck me that as an institution we have yet to properly commemorate some of our colleagues.
Steffan Lewis. Picture: Plaid Cymru
“The unveiling of Val Feld’s purple plaque last year was a fitting tribute to her vast achievements in public life, and I believe we should now explore similar permanent tributes at the Senedd for those who have tragically lost their lives whilst serving as AMs.
“It’s been nearly eight years since the death of my good friend and colleague, Brynle Williams, and I believe alongside other AMs such as Carl Sargeant, Steffan Lewis and Peter Law, their service - both to their constituents and the Assembly – should be recognised.
Carl Sargeant
“This would be a fitting tribute to these individuals who all, in their own unique way, left indelible marks on the institution and Welsh politics.”
Ms Field's plaque was unveiled last year as part of a campaign to honour Welsh women.
Andrew RT Davies
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