Mark’s story

Current Political Experience

  • Labour party member since 1974
  • Active member of Riverside since 1979
  • Special Advisor to Rhodri Morgan

Life Experiences

My main interest has always been in services for young people, especially those with difficulties in their lives. So here’s a short introduction into my background.

  • Moved to Cardiff in 1979 to work as a probation officer, going on to be leader of a Barnardos project in Caerau.
  • Founder member of the Cardiff Shortlife Housing Association, and Llamau, a specialist housing association for young people.
  • First secretary of the Dusty Forge Association in Ely; member of the Ely Festival Committee and the Ely Community Development Forum.
  • Chair of the Ely Citizens’ Advice Bureaux for more than ten years.
  • School governor in Riverside, Fairwater, Canton and Radyr, including many years as governor of Severn Road schools and Fitzalan High School, the schools attended by our three children.
  • First ever chair of governors at new Welsh medium schools at Ysgol Treganna and Ysgol Pencae

Knowledge

Being an Assembly Member for Cardiff West means knowing the constituency from the inside, but also being able to contribute to Labour’s agenda for the whole of Wales.

  • Direct experience of how the Assembly Government works having served as Rhodri Morgan’s chief special adviser for almost ten years – able to be an effective Assembly Member from day one.
  • Worked alongside every Health Minister since devolution, with expert knowledge in Labour’s most important area.
  • Senior social policy academic, researching, writing and publishing on a UK basis, continuing to work as a Professor at Cardiff University during my time in the Assembly.

  • Active membership of the anti-barrage campaign in Riverside and elsewhere.
  • Worked for a ‘Yes’ vote in the 1997 referendum, chairing Cardiff’s Parliament for Wales campaign.
  • Chairing a local residents association in campaigns to protect green spaces and improve the environment.
  • Writing and speaking for anti-poverty campaign in Wales and across the UK.

Other Interests

  • Long-term allotment holder
  • Member of Glamorgan County Cricket Club since 1969
  • Music, theatre, reading