Edwina Hart
Edwina Hart | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 26, 1957 Gowerton, Swansea, Wales |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, trade unionist |
| Years active | 1999–2016 |
| Known for | Welsh Labour AM for Gower; Minister for Health and Social Services; Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science |
Edwina Hart, MBE (born 26 April 1957), is a Welsh Labour figure who represented the Gower constituency from the inception of the National Assembly for Wales (Senedd) in 1999 until 2016. Throughout her 17-year tenure as an Assembly Member (AM), Hart held several senior cabinet positions within the Welsh Government, including Minister for Health and Social Services (2007–2011) and Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science (2011–2016).
In the 2009 Welsh Labour leadership contest, she was the runner-up to Carwyn Jones.
Background
Hart grew up in Gowerton, Swansea, where she attended Gowerton Girls' Grammar School. Demonstrating talent in English and Music, she was also a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales. She currently lives in Gowerton with her family and has one daughter.
Professional career
Beginning her career in banking, Hart became actively involved in trade unionism, ultimately becoming the first woman to serve as president of the Banking, Insurance and Finance Union between 1992 and 1994. She also held the position of chair for the Wales TUC, an accolade shared with her husband, Bob Hart. For her contributions to trade unions, she was honored with an MBE. In 1998, Hart was appointed to the Broadcasting Council for Wales and served as a director of the Wales Millennium Centre. Her public service extended to roles such as membership on the Employment Appeals Tribunal, participation in the South West Wales Economic Forum, and directorship at Chwarae Teg. She maintains affiliations with T&GWU, Community, and holds life membership in Amicus.
Political career
Hart secured election to the inaugural Assembly in 1999 representing Gower with 35.4% of votes cast and was appointed as the Assembly’s first Finance Secretary. Her portfolio expanded in 2000 when she became Minister for Finance and Local Government.
After winning re-election in 2003 with a larger majority (43.60%), Hart assumed responsibility for a new Social Justice role as the first Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration. This position encompassed oversight of community safety, youth justice systems, police relations, fire services, social economy initiatives, anti-poverty programs, housing policy, voluntary sector collaboration, asylum and immigration matters, armed forces liaison including veterans affairs, as well as community regeneration and development efforts.
In 2004, during her tenure as Minister for Social Justice, Hart commissioned an independent investigation into the charity All Wales Ethnic Minority Association (AWEMA). The inquiry recommended suspending new project funding until management improvements were evident and identified AWEMA as "high risk" regarding public funding.
Hart was re-elected once more in 2007 with a reduced majority (34.2%) and appointed Minister for Health and Social Services. She continued in this capacity throughout the Labour-Plaid Cymru coalition government established later that year.
In October 2009, following Rhodri Morgan’s retirement announcement, Hart declared her candidacy for Welsh Labour leadership. She committed to maintaining Morgan’s "Clear Red Water" philosophy. Despite backing from unions and endorsements from notable figures such as Finance Minister Andrew Davies, she placed second but retained her role as Health Minister under First Minister Carwyn Jones.
Hart rejected a 2009 proposal from Liberal Democrat Kirsty Williams to conduct a review of NHS expenditure amid allegations of £1 billion annual wastage within Welsh NHS services. In 2010, Welsh Liberal Democrats accused her of withholding a significant consultants’ report concerning NHS leadership by the Welsh Government.
Hart stepped down at the 2011 election and was succeeded by Labour AM Rebecca Evans.
External links
- Official Website of Edwina Hart MBE AM
- Official Welsh Labour Party Site
- Welsh Government Official Portal
- Ministerial Profiles on the Welsh Government Website
- Archived National Assembly for Wales Website
Offices held
- 1957 births
- Living people
- Welsh Labour members of the Senedd
- Wales AMs 1999–2003
- Wales AMs 2003–2007
- Wales AMs 2007–2011
- Wales AMs 2011–2016
- Politicians from Swansea
- Members of the Order of the British Empire
- Welsh socialists
- Female members of the Senedd
- Welsh trade unionists
- People educated at Gowerton Grammar School
- British women bankers
- Ministers for finance of Wales
- Female finance ministers
- 20th-century British women politicians
- British women trade unionists
- Women members of the Welsh Government