Endorsements

“I’ve known Mark for the last twenty five years, in politics and out of it. Whether working together as councillors for the Riverside Ward, running sessions for young people in Ely or campaigning against the Barrage I have seen, at first hand, his record of service to the Labour Party and to communities in Cardiff West. For the last ten years, of course, he has been at the heart of the devolution project in Wales, working directly with Rhodri Morgan in the First Minister’s office to put Labour policies into action.

As someone who lives in the constituency I will have a vote in selecting Labour’s candidate for Cardiff West.

Now that the shortlist has been drawn up I want you to know that I will definitely be voting for Mark, and hope that you will be too.”

Jane Davidson

"As Health Minister, I know just how important the NHS is to Labour members and voters in Wales. For the last decade, Mark has been at the heart of our health policy-making -  making the case for abolishing the internal market, bringing out-sourced services back into the NHS and putting primary care in the driving seat of our efforts to create a real health service here in Wales. We need him at the Assembly to go on shaping an authentically socialist agenda for Labour. I hope you will vote for him to be our candidate in Cardiff West."

Edwina Hart

"Having worked with Mark as a fellow councillor in Riverside, school governor and community worker in Ely and for the past 10 years as our Special Advisor in the Assembly, I know what a great hard-working Assembly Member he would be for Cardiff West. His integrity, his commitment and his socialist principles are all exemplary and he has a remarkable political track record, which will be of great benefit in representing the rich diversity of Cardiff West. He will also make a significant contribution in the next decade of devolution in Wales."

Jane Hutt

"Mark is one the main architects of devolution. As a Minister I worked with him for 10 years and know at first hand how crucial Mark was in establishing and developing the Welsh Assembly. As the key adviser to Rhodri Morgan and other Ministers Mark's influence in developing the 'clear red water' policy agenda of Welsh Labour was central.  He had huge respect with everybody he worked with across the Assembly Government - with Ministers and civil servants. I know that he will make a great Assembly Member for Cardiff West and a very worthy successor to Rhodri, not only for Cardiff but for the whole of Wales."

Andrew Davies

“Cardiff West needs a Labour candidate who understands our family and the needs of our children's family. We know we can trust Mark, and this is why we will be voting for him on 20th February”

Phyllis and Viv Sharp. Fairwater Branch

 

“I’ll be voting for Mark because he has the knowledge and experience to be the sort of Assembly Member Cardiff West needs. I’ve known him at work in Ely and in the Council. He’s got an enormous appetite for hard work and for getting things done and, with an in-depth knowledge of social services, education and health, he’ll be able to operate on a Wales level, too”.

Cllr Brian Finn

 

“I’ve seen Mark at work inside Cardiff West and in the Labour Party. His experience work with Rhodri at the Assembly is second to none. I’ll be voting for him because I think he is exactly the sort of Assembly member we need, and I hope that you will too”.

Cllr Sue Goddard. Ely Branch

“I have known Mark, for nearly 20 years; his dedication to Labour values, enthusiasm for the party's success and his loyalty to the cause will stand Cardiff West party members and constituents will continue the constituency's role as a standard bearer in the Assembly.”

Richard Watson. Llandaff Branch

 

“I worked with Mark in the last Cardiff council elections in Riverside. He is well known, well liked and well respected in all parts of South Riverside, and in Pontcanna, too.
At the next Assembly elections we need a candidate who can win votes for Labour in all parts of the constituency, and for me, Mark is that candidate.”

Syed Iqbal. Riverside Ward

“I’ve known Mark for twenty years, since he worked  for Barnardos in Ely and Caerau. He has a strong practical track record of making a difference on the ground.  I’ll be voting for him because he knows the constituency through and through and will put that to work to make sure we keep Cardiff West Labour”.

Jane Williams. Treasurer. Caerau Branch

“On the basis of my experience of working with Mark in Riverside, I know him to be a knowledgeable, committed and effective politician.  He is also personable, warm and humorous. He gets things done and gets on with people while doing it.”

Sue Evans, Former Riverside Advice Worker and Candidate in the Riverside Ward and Labour Party member in Creigiau,
St Fagans and Pentyrch

“I had the good fortune to work closely with Mark at the Assembly during his time as Rhodri’s Senior
Special Adviser. He’s easy to talk to, always ready to listen, always ready to go the extra mile to get a solution to a problem, and always gets the job done. As a parent, a citizen and a Labour Party member I know Mark is the best person we can send to the Assembly to stand up for our principles and work for the benefit of everyone.”

Annabelle Harie. Canton

"I have known Mark in both a personal and professional capacity for over 10 years, both inside the Assembly and out of it. I believe that he is the ideal person to be our Labour candidate for Cardiff West
in 2011."

Jonathan Davies, Radyr