Pontypridd MS To Stand Down At Next Election

Pontypridd MS and former Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution Mick Antoniw MS has announced his intention to stand down at the next Senedd election.

In a letter to Labour Party members in Pontypridd Mick Antoniw said:

“It has been the greatest honour of my life to be the elected as the Welsh Labour representative for the Pontypridd constituency.  It has been a privilege to serve its people. By the time of the next elections in May 2026 I will have served for 15 years and it is with a heavy heart that I have decided not to put my name forward for reselection.”

Mick Antoniw was first elected in 2011 having previously worked extensively as a trade union lawyer. He was re-elected in 2016, increasing his majority significantly, and again in 2021.

Mick was appointed Counsel General in the Welsh Government (2016) and subsequently Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution (2022-24).  He chaired both the Senedd’s Standards of Conduct and Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committees. Mick also represented Wales on the European Union Committee of the Regions (2012-2015).

Emphasising that the time is right for change, Mick Antoniw added:

“I want to thank all members, trade unions and constituents for their support.

“I believe that together, in incredibly difficult circumstances we have achieved a great deal. Devolution and the decentralisation of power has enabled this and there is much further to go. Throughout I have always tried to do my best and to keep to my socialist principles and the values that we all share.

“The time is right for new blood, new energy and new progressive ideas for the future of Wales and the people of Pontypridd, as part of the new, enlarged Senedd constituency.”