Senedd tributes to 'truly remarkable' Hefin David

Hefin David was popular with members of all parties in Cardiff Bay

The first minister has called Hefin David a "truly remarkable human being", as tributes were paid in the Welsh Parliament to the Labour politician who died suddenly last month.

Eluned Morgan, Welsh Labour's leader, said he had a "rare spark that drew you in and made you want to be around him".

With his partner, Cynon Valley Senedd member Vikki Howells, present and members of his family watching from the public gallery, presiding officer Elin Jones said he was "cherished", "respected and liked across" the chamber.

Mr David had been Labour Member of the Senedd (MS) for Caerphilly since 2016 and a by-election will be held there next month.

An inquest was opened into Mr David's death late last month.

It heard he was found dead at his home on 12 August. He was 47.

A full inquest is due to take place next April.

Elin Jones addressed her initial words directly to Hefin David's family.

"Our thoughts are particularly with Hefin's beloved daughters and parents in this time of loss, but also Vikki, our colleague and Hefin's partner," she said.

"We're so sorry for your loss, and we want you to know how much we cherish Hefin. He was respected and liked across this chamber."

She added that after more than nine years as the referee in Cardiff Bay debates "it's hard not to have developed favourites amongst you".

"Hefin was one of my favourites - not a teacher's pet, far from that."

After all Senedd members had stood in silence for a minute, the first minister described Hefin David as a "talented politician with a remarkable gift for communication".

She called him a "natural connector, someone who has an authentic way of making whoever he was speaking with feel like they were the most important person at that moment, a gift that just comes from the heart".

"Thank you Hefin for showing us how to do this job with heart, with humour and with hope," said Morgan.

"You were loved, you were missed, and the world is both dimmer without you and brighter for having known you.

"Rest in peace, friend. You'll never be forgotten."

Hefin David was elected to the Senedd in 2016

One of the most prominent Labour backbench members, Hefin David was known for his lively sense of humour, and this was never far away in the tributes to his life.

Opposition Conservative leader Darren Millar called him a "social media wind up merchant, as we often found out, to our expense".

"And, of course, he was a nuisance to the Welsh government on many an occasion, something that we loved to observe from these benches, but never quite sufficiently enough a nuisance to vote on our side, which, of course, was what we often hoped for," he said.

Mr David was one of five Welsh Parliament commissioners, responsible for the day-to-day running of the institution.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said that Senedd members dealing with Mr David found "that even in times of disagreement, there was always respect, encapsulating the very nature of what a mature and civil democracy should be that was important too Hefin".

"He not only enriched our debates, but also the work of this very institution," he said.

A bouquet of flowers was placed on Hefin David's desk

Plaid's leader summed Hefin David up as "everything an elected member should be - an ardent advocate for his constituents, a committed campaigner for the voiceless and a free thinker certainly never ever afraid to speak his mind".

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds remembered how Mr David had warmly welcomed her arrival as the only Lib Dem in Cardiff Bay after 2021 Senedd election.

"Hefin came up to me and he said 'I am really glad you are here. I am really glad, Jane, that the Liberal Democrats have representation here'.

"Hefin was a pluralist, somebody who saw the strengths and positives of this Senedd working together, listening and achieving things as a unified group.

"And we know that is needed now more than ever."