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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| AM to step down at next election | AM to step down at next election |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Liberal Democrat Mick Bates has announced that he will not stand at the next Welsh Assembly elections in 2011. | The Liberal Democrat Mick Bates has announced that he will not stand at the next Welsh Assembly elections in 2011. |
| Mr Bates, the AM for Montgomeryshire, had a majority of just under 2,000 votes at the last assembly election. | Mr Bates, the AM for Montgomeryshire, had a majority of just under 2,000 votes at the last assembly election. |
| The 61-year-old said he had made the decision now in order to give the local party time to select a new candidate. | The 61-year-old said he had made the decision now in order to give the local party time to select a new candidate. |
| He said his decision was influenced by his wife, a school headmistress, taking early retirement. He also said he wanted more time to "shear the sheep". | He said his decision was influenced by his wife, a school headmistress, taking early retirement. He also said he wanted more time to "shear the sheep". |
| Mr Bates said his decision had nothing to do with the recent European election results and said it had been "on the cards for a long time". | Mr Bates said his decision had nothing to do with the recent European election results and said it had been "on the cards for a long time". |
| "It's been planned for a long time and making this announcement before the summer is ideal - it allows the local party to get their selection process together and gives the new candidate a chance to settle in before winning the seat at the next Assembly election," he told BBC Wales. | "It's been planned for a long time and making this announcement before the summer is ideal - it allows the local party to get their selection process together and gives the new candidate a chance to settle in before winning the seat at the next Assembly election," he told BBC Wales. |
| "People are drawing conclusions from recent events - including the European election results - but it's been on the cards for a long time. My wife is retiring from her job and 2011 is an ideal time for me to go. | "People are drawing conclusions from recent events - including the European election results - but it's been on the cards for a long time. My wife is retiring from her job and 2011 is an ideal time for me to go. |
| I hope that I have helped farmers build their businesses and I hope that I have played a role in promoting rural Wales Mick Bates | I hope that I have helped farmers build their businesses and I hope that I have played a role in promoting rural Wales Mick Bates |
| Mr Bates had a hip replacement last year, but he denied that his decision to stand down is anything to do with his health. | Mr Bates had a hip replacement last year, but he denied that his decision to stand down is anything to do with his health. |
| "I want to spend more time with my family - I'd like to see more of my grandchild and I'd also like a bit more time to shear the sheep," he said. | "I want to spend more time with my family - I'd like to see more of my grandchild and I'd also like a bit more time to shear the sheep," he said. |
| "I've just come in from shearing now - it's a big job! | "I've just come in from shearing now - it's a big job! |
| He said he had loved his 12 years at the assembly, particularly when the Liberal Democrats were in the partnership government with Labour. | He said he had loved his 12 years at the assembly, particularly when the Liberal Democrats were in the partnership government with Labour. |
| "I like to think that I used my expertise to help the farmers of Wales," he said. | "I like to think that I used my expertise to help the farmers of Wales," he said. |
| "I hope that I have helped farmers build their businesses and I hope that I have played a role in promoting rural Wales. | "I hope that I have helped farmers build their businesses and I hope that I have played a role in promoting rural Wales. |
| "There are lots of issues over disillusionment and disconnection with politics but I'd like to think that I have been of genuine service to my constituents." | "There are lots of issues over disillusionment and disconnection with politics but I'd like to think that I have been of genuine service to my constituents." |
| Mr Bates was elected for Montgomeryshire to the Welsh Assembly in the first assembly elections of 1999. | Mr Bates was elected for Montgomeryshire to the Welsh Assembly in the first assembly elections of 1999. |
| At the last election in 2007, he had a majority of just under 2,000 votes with 39% of the vote. The Conservatives were in second place. | At the last election in 2007, he had a majority of just under 2,000 votes with 39% of the vote. The Conservatives were in second place. |
| 'Legacy' | 'Legacy' |
| Kirsty Williams AM, the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, paid tribute to Mr Bates as "a tremendous assembly member". | Kirsty Williams AM, the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, paid tribute to Mr Bates as "a tremendous assembly member". |
| She added: "He has worked incredibly hard for the people of Montgomeryshire and has been a crucial member of the Liberal Democrat team in Cardiff Bay. | She added: "He has worked incredibly hard for the people of Montgomeryshire and has been a crucial member of the Liberal Democrat team in Cardiff Bay. |
| "His work on sustainability and rural issues has been crucial in driving forward policy in those areas. | "His work on sustainability and rural issues has been crucial in driving forward policy in those areas. |
| "His lasting legacy will be free school milk, the Farming Connect Scheme and a commitment to sustainability that runs through the national assembly's work." | "His lasting legacy will be free school milk, the Farming Connect Scheme and a commitment to sustainability that runs through the national assembly's work." |
| Mr Bates is the chairman of the assembly's sustainability committee, which deals with environmental and rural affairs. | |
| A former science teacher, his interests include sport, painting and walking. He likes music, especially Bob Dylan. | A former science teacher, his interests include sport, painting and walking. He likes music, especially Bob Dylan. |