Steffan Lewis
Steffan Lewis | |
|---|---|
 Steffan Lewis in 2016 | |
| Member of theWelsh Assembly forSouth Wales East | |
| In office 6 May 2016– 11 January 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Jocelyn Davies |
| Succeeded by | Delyth Jewell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 May 1984 Ystrad Mynach,Caerphilly,Wales |
| Died | 11 January 2019(aged 34) Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly, Wales |
| Political party | Plaid Cymru |
| Spouse | Shona |
| Children | 1 |
Steffan Lewis(30 May 1984 – 11 January 2019) was a Welsh politician, who was elected to the National Assembly for Wales in the2016 election.[1]He represented the electoral region ofSouth Wales East,as a member ofPlaid Cymru.
In December 2017, Lewis was diagnosed with terminalbowel cancer.[2]He died on 11 January 2019, aged 34.[3][4][5][6]
Early life
[edit]Steffan Lewis was brought up in a bilingual household inCrosskeysandTredegar.He first attended Swffryd Primary School inBlaenau Gwentbefore moving to theWelsh-mediumprimary school Ysgol Gymraeg Cwm Gwyddon inAbercarnand laterYsgol Gyfun GwynllywinPontypool.[7]
He first became interested in politics with the1995 Islwyn by-election,and became an activePlaid Cymrucampaigner at the1999 Welsh assembly election.[8]He then worked at a call centre before briefly studying Religious Studies and Ethics atCardiff University.[8]
Political career
[edit]Lewis was a town councillor inBlackwoodand was the Plaid candidate for the2006 Blaenau Gwent by-electionto the House of Commons, coming third with 6.5% of the vote.[8][9]He then worked with the party in theNational Assembly for Wales,and wrote speeches forLeanne Woodduring her leadership of the party.[9]He stood for election inBlaenau Gwentagain in2015and came fourth of six candidates with 9% of the vote.[10]
In 2015, he was chosen as the top candidate for Plaid Cymru in the South East Wales region and was elected to the National Assembly for Wales in the 2016 election as its youngest-ever member.[9]He succeededJocelyn Davies,for whom he had previously worked as a communications officer.[8]He was made the party's Secretary for External Affairs and led the response toBrexit.[9]
Illness and death
[edit]Just one year after having taken his seat in the National Assembly, Lewis was diagnosed with bowel cancer in December 2017. It was found that the disease had already spread to other parts of his body, and he was not expected to recover. He spoke openly about fighting the illness and how he was coping.[11]
He died at Ystrad Fawr Hospital inYstrad Mynachon 11 January 2019. Tributes were paid to him from all parties in the Assembly.
Adam Price,leader of Plaid Cymru said:
"Steffan was beloved by his friends in Plaid Cymru and we are in a state of shock and grief at losing our very brightest star..."[12]
He was succeeded byDelyth Jewell,who had been second on Plaid's list in the region at the 2016 election.[13]
His funeral was scheduled for 25 January at St Luke's Church,Abercarn,followed by burial at the local cemetery.[14]
Personal life
[edit]Lewis married Shona, who is fromInverness,in 2009. They lived in Blackwood and had a son, Celyn, aged three years at the time of his father's death.[8]He was a noted fan ofCeltic Football Club.[8][9]
Offices held
[edit]References
[edit]- ^"Welsh Election 2016: Labour just short as UKIP wins seats".BBC News.6 May 2016.Retrieved7 May2016.
- ^"The young AM trying to make a difference while fighting terminal cancer".Wales Online.26 September 2018.Retrieved11 January2019.
- ^"Plaid Cymru assembly member Steffan Lewis dies aged 34".BBC News.11 January 2019.Retrieved11 January2019.
- ^"Plaid Cymru politician Steffan Lewis dies, aged 34".ITV News.11 January 2019.Retrieved11 January2019.
- ^"Plaid AM Steffan Lewis dies at 34: A tribute to a brave, committed young advocate for Wales".Wales Online.11 January 2019.Retrieved11 January2019.
- ^"Plaid Cymru AM Steffan Lewis dies aged 34".Heart.11 January 2019.Retrieved11 January2019.
- ^"Plaid Cymru Leader pays tribute to 'brightest star' Steffan Lewis".Plaid Cymru.Retrieved12 January2016.
- ^abcdefWilliams, James (16 September 2017)."Plaid Cymru's Steffan Lewis: Assembly member is my dream job".BBC News.Retrieved22 January2019.
- ^abcde"Obituary: Plaid Cymru AM Steffan Lewis".BBC News.11 January 2019.Retrieved12 January2019.
- ^Gillett, Francesca (8 May 2015)."ELECTION 2015: Blaenau Gwent elects Labour's Nick Smith for a second term".South Wales Argus.Retrieved22 January2019.
- ^"Marw'r Aelod Cynulliad, Steffan Lewis, yn 34".Golwg360.Retrieved11 January2019.
- ^"Plaid Cymru politician Steffan Lewis dies following cancer battle".ITV.Retrieved12 January2019.
- ^"New AM Delyth Jewell following death of Steffan Lewis".BBC News. 16 January 2019.Retrieved22 January2019.
- ^Craig, Ian (18 January 2019)."Funeral details for Steffan Lewis announced".South Wales Argus.Retrieved22 January2019.