Peter Black (Welsh politician)

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Peter Black (Welsh politician) bigraphy, stories - British politician

Peter Black (Welsh politician) : biography

30 January 1960 –

Peter Black (born 30 January 1960) is a Welsh Liberal Democrat politician, and Member of the Welsh Assembly for the South Wales West Region.

Background

He was educated at Wirral Grammar School for Boys and Swansea University, graduating in English and History. Before entering politics full-time, he previously worked as a research assistant for West Glamorgan Social Services and was a Registration Executive for the Land Registry for Wales. Black is married and enjoys films, theatre and poetry.

Contentious Issues

After Charles Kennedy’s resignation in 2006, Black supported Simon Hughes in the ensuing leadership contest. He subsequently backed Nick Clegg in the leadership contest which was followed by Clegg becoming Deputy Prime Minister in 2010.

Political career

A Councillor for the Cwmbwrla ward on City and County of Swansea Council, he was leader of the Liberal Democrat Group 1984–99. He is a past Chair of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and of the party’s Finance and Administration Committee.

Black fought Swansea East at the Assembly elections in 1999 and 2003, but entered the Assembly as the lead candidate on the Welsh Liberal Democrat regional list for South Wales West. He was the lead candidate again in 2007 and 2011. A former Deputy Minister in the 2000–03 Labour / Welsh Liberal Democrat coalition administration, he chaired the Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills Committee in the second Assembly and now sits on the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee and the Finance Committee. He is the Welsh Liberal Democrats Spokesperson for Local Government, Heritage, Housing and Finance. He is a member of the Assembly Commission with responsibility for ICT and Sustainability.

In November 2011 he took the lead alongside Welsh Liberal Democrats Leader, Kirsty Williams in negotiating an agreement with Labour on the Welsh Government’s budget. As a result the Government introduced a Pupil Deprivation Grant, guaranteeing Welsh schools an extra £450 for each pupil in receipt of free school meals.

Offices held

Category:1960 births Category:Living people Category:Alumni of Swansea University Category:Liberal Democrat (UK) councillors Category:Welsh bloggers Category:Councillors in Wales Category:Politics of Swansea Category:Members of the Welsh Assembly Government Category:Liberal Democrat Members of the National Assembly for Wales Category:Wales AMs 1999–2003 Category:Wales AMs 2003–2007 Category:Wales AMs 2007–2011 Category:Wales AMs 2011– Category:People educated at Wirral Grammar School for Boys