AGE OLD rivals, long-time allies and inspired students have paid tribute to “tireless champion” and “giant of Welsh liberalism” Kirsty Williams, after announcing she will stand down at next year’s Senedd election.

Ms Williams, the Welsh Government Education Minister and MS for Brecon and Radnorshire, will bring down the curtain on nearly a quarter of a century of public service in 2021, having initially been voted in as an original Member of the Senedd in 1999.

Ms Williams, 49, will step down at the next Senedd elections taking place in May next year. She is currently the only Liberal Democrat member of the 60-seat Senedd. She joins a trio of fellow ever-presents who have already declared they will not run again – including former Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones, Dafydd Elis-Thomas and David Melding.

This means that just five from the original ‘class of 99’ will remain – Ann Jones, Elin Jones, Jane Hutt, John Griffiths and Lynne Neagle – if they keep hold of their seats.

Ceredigion MS and presiding officer of the Senedd Elin Jones – alongside Ms Williams one of the class of 99 – said she had “brought  passion and precision to our politics” and would “rightly be remembered as a giant of Welsh liberalism”.

Social media was awash with praise from all corners of Welsh and British politics, with Ms Williams’ own party, the Welsh Liberal Democrats, tweeting: “Kirsty has been a tireless champion of Liberalism, invaluable to @WelshLibDems, and has made remarkable strides in Education in just 4 years. From us all, we sincerely say #thankyouKirsty.”

There were tributes from the opposition too, with Brecon and Radnorshire MP Fay Jones saying: “Kirsty Williams and I disagree on almost everything, but few people can match her commitment to public service. For almost a quarter of a century, she has served constituents in Brecon and Radnorshire diligently.”

Plaid Cymru’s Shadow Education Minister Sian Gwenllian MS said: “After two decades of serving her constituents in Brecon and Radnorshire with distinction, I respect Kirsty Williams’ decision not to stand at the next Senedd elections.

“Her contribution to the Senedd has been significant, not least in the legacy she will leave in ensuring women’s voices were heard clearly from the outset, and all this while raising a family – certainly no mean feat.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Kirsty Williams – her tenacity and passion for education shines through, and I thank her for the courtesy and readiness to listen that she has always extended me in our discussions on education.”

There was a warm tribute too from the leader of the Welsh Lib Dem-Green Group and leader of the opposition on Powys County Council for Ms Williams’ “outstanding” service to her constituents and Wales over the past 22 years.

“Kirsty Williams has shown remarkable energy, fortitude and dedication over her time as Brecon & Radnorshire’s first elected Assembly Member in May 1999 and now Member of the Senedd,” said Councillor James Gibson-Watt.

“She has been a true champion for her constituents and her efforts in representing them and defending their interests have never wavered. She is as energetic and dedicated now as she was when first elected.”

“Even in opposition she had a major impact, for example successfully persuading the National Assembly to pass ground-breaking legislation on minimum nursing staff levels in Welsh hospitals and creating the Pupil Development Grant that has so benefited the most disadvantaged children in Wales.

“Since becoming Wales’s Education Minister Kirsty has shown herself, through the most difficult of times, to have a sure touch and excellent judgement. Despite the extreme difficulties posed by the pandemic, she has still managed to drive forward changes that will transform learning at all levels in Wales for the better and in doing so has earned the respect of educational professionals, learners and their families, local and national politicians of all persuasions and her Cabinet colleagues. Truly her work has transcended party politics.”

“In leaving front-line politics next spring Kirsty will be leaving ‘on a high’. Her legacy will outlive us all.”