Liberal Democrat Kirsty Williams to leave Senedd

Kirsty Williams has been education minister since 2016

Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd member and Education Minister Kirsty Williams has announced she is stepping down at next May's election.

Ms Williams is the only Lib Dem in the Welsh Parliament and has represented Brecon and Radnorshire since 1999.

She said she was "looking forward to spending more time with my family".

"There is, of course, sadness in making this decision, but also with a sense of achievement and pride," Ms Williams said.

"I remain committed to my role in Brecon and Radnorshire and look forward to continuing to campaign with my successor to ensure Brecon and Radnorshire returns a Welsh Liberal Democrat voice."

She said she had taken the decision "after a great deal of thought and reflection".

Ms Williams is in Labour First Minister Mark Drakeford's cabinet, in a continuation of a deal originally agreed by previous Welsh Labour leader Carwyn Jones following the 2016 election.

Mr Drakeford said her departure would "leave an enormous hole - not just in the Welsh Government but in the Senedd and in Welsh political life".

"She was a formidable politician in opposition but she has demonstrated her real strength has been in putting into practice the progressive policies for which she has long argued," he said.

Paul Davies, Conservative leader in the Welsh Parliament, said she had been a "tireless champion of her constituency and a passionate and formidable politician over the last two decades."

Kirsty Williams addressing the Lib Dem conference in Liverpool in 2010

Plaid Cymru education spokeswoman Siân Gwenllian said: "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 whilst raising a family - certainly no mean feat!"  

Welsh Liberal Democrat president Paula Yates described Ms Williams as an "exceptional constituency champion for Brecon and Radnorshire for the last 21 years".

"There isn't a street or village where someone doesn't know someone who's been personally helped by Kirsty over the years."

Ms Williams is due to announce in two weeks' time her approach to next year's examinations, following their late cancellation this year due to coronavirus.

She is also considering ways in which students can return home for Christmas during the pandemic, and working on implementing an overhaul of the school curriculum in Wales.

With just one Lib Dem Member of the Senedd, and no MPs, Ms Williams's announcement is a blow to the party's 2021 election strategy.

New Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey had predicted her "fantastic record" in education would boost the party in next May's election.

Ms Williams, 49, was Welsh Liberal Democrat leader from 2008 to 2016 - the first woman to lead a party group in Cardiff Bay.