Kirsty Williams to stand down next May
Kirsty Williams, Liberal Democrat education minister in the Welsh government, has today announced she is going to stand down next May:
After much reflection, I have decided not to stand as as a candidate in the next election. There is of course sadness in making this decision, but also a strong sense of pride. Above all else, I'd like to thank the people of B&R for their support over the last 2 decades. pic.twitter.com/jjJvQOaDNQ
— Kirsty Williams (@Kirsty_Williams) October 27, 2020
Week in, week out during the coronavirus crisis, she has not only made a huge different to people’s lives in Wales but also shown people in the rest of the UK just what a big and welcome difference it makes to have a good education minister in place.
For over two decades she’s been a powerful voice for liberalism and winning elections in Wales. Understandably, Kirsty Williams now feels it is time for something different:
Thank you for all you’ve done, Kirsty.
#ThankYouKirsty, we can never say that enough. I owe you an astounding amount. You are an inspiration I am lucky enough to call a friend and I can't wait to see what you do next.
From one @CarmsLibDems woman to another.. #DiolchKirsty rydych chi wedi ysbrydoli cenedlaethau pic.twitter.com/ZGIXszIIAB
— Leena Sarah Farhat ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ๐ถ (@LeenaSFarhat) October 27, 2020
Iโd like to say a huge #ThankYouKirsty. Kirsty has done so much for Brecon & Radnorshire and for @WelshLibDems over many years. She has been an amazing Minister for Education, & even in these difficult times has ensured children in need get free school meals during the holidays. https://t.co/NfEPirUAVt
— Ed Davey MP ๐ถ๐ช๐บ (@EdwardJDavey) October 27, 2020
Kirsty has not only been a colleague to me but a friend and mentor. Sheโs achieved so much over the last 21 years.
Iโm sad to see her stand down, but I know she has so much to offer and I wish her well in whatever she chooses to do next. #DiolchKirsty #ThankYouKirsty pic.twitter.com/58Eei3w1Tf— Jane Dodds ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ๐ถ (@DoddsJane) October 27, 2020
I don’t know Kirsty except by repute, but this decision is enormously disappointing. She should have let the Party know far sooner, or stayed on for another term. She knows she will be hard to replace, and she knows Lib Dem morale is currently low which makes it much more difficult.
Is there an obvious successor — I do hope so.
Of course we owe her a big thank you, but not for the timing.
That’s a bit harsh Kate. I suspect it has been a struggle for Kirsty to make this decision, and in fact, in campaigning terms, it is actually the right time to announce. Had she done it earlier she would have set hares running and given opponents an open goal to kick at us. Of course she will have spoken to senior party people so that they have ducks-in-a-row for finding her successor, and you and I were not on her list of people to speak to.
Kirsty, I only know you from your conference speeches, and you have been an inspiration to me and many others, so a huge huge thank you…