Jane Davidson
Encyclopedia
Jane Davidson, AM was the Labour Assembly Member for Pontypridd and the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing in the Welsh Assembly Government
. She lives in Gwaelod-y-Garth
with her husband and three children. She was also the Welsh Vice-President of the Ramblers' Association, stepping down when appointed Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing in 2007. She announced in 2008 that she would not be seeking re-election to the Assembly in 2011.
. She studied at Malvern Girls' College
; the University of Birmingham
(BA Hons English); and then took a PGCE
at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth.
She has spent much of her life working with young people in the voluntary sector, both as Development Officer for the Youth Hostel Association in Wales (1984–87) and as a Youth and Community Worker (1987–90). Davidson was also a Researcher to Rhodri Morgan MP (1991–96); and Welsh Co-ordinator, National Local Government Forum Against Poverty (1994–96).
In 2011, following her ministerial career and subsequent move to West Wales as planned, Davidson took up employment as Director of the Wales Institute for Sustainability at the local Trinity St David University shortly afterwards. Questions were made over the appointment, such as why Davidson did not notify the committee that regulates the appointments of former ministers to ensure fair play
in 1999.
on 16 October 2000 as Minister for Education, Lifelong Learning & Skills. In the first Cabinet of the Third Assembly she was appointed Minister for Sustainability and Rural Development (31 May 2007) until a coalition cabinet was agreed with Plaid Cymru
, and she became instead Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing (19 July 2007).
as part of his Government's policy of parental choice and individualistic education in 1995.
Welsh Assembly Government
The Welsh Government is the devolved government of Wales. It is accountable to the National Assembly for Wales, the legislature which represents the interests of the people of Wales and makes laws for Wales...
. She lives in Gwaelod-y-Garth
Gwaelod-y-Garth
Gwaelod-y-garth is a village in the parish of Pentyrch, Cardiff in Wales.- Location :It is situated approx 6 miles north of Cardiff and 7 miles from Pontypridd. Castell Coch, the Fairytale castle of South Wales, is within easy reach of the village, by car or by foot.- History :In Elizabethan...
with her husband and three children. She was also the Welsh Vice-President of the Ramblers' Association, stepping down when appointed Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing in 2007. She announced in 2008 that she would not be seeking re-election to the Assembly in 2011.
Early life and educational background
Davidson was born in BirminghamBirmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
. She studied at Malvern Girls' College
Malvern Girls' College
Malvern St James is a leading independent school for girls in Great Malvern, Worcestershire, England. Renamed in 2006 from Malvern Girls' College following a succession of amalgamations with other independent schools for girls in the Malvern area, it continues to occupy the same campus as...
; the University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
(BA Hons English); and then took a PGCE
Postgraduate Certificate in Education
The Postgraduate Certificate in Education is a one-year course in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for undergraduate degree holders that allows them to train to be a teacher....
at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth.
Professional career
Formerly a teacher (1981–84), Davidson taught English, Drama and PE, firstly in Cardigan County Secondary School, then Pontypridd.She has spent much of her life working with young people in the voluntary sector, both as Development Officer for the Youth Hostel Association in Wales (1984–87) and as a Youth and Community Worker (1987–90). Davidson was also a Researcher to Rhodri Morgan MP (1991–96); and Welsh Co-ordinator, National Local Government Forum Against Poverty (1994–96).
In 2011, following her ministerial career and subsequent move to West Wales as planned, Davidson took up employment as Director of the Wales Institute for Sustainability at the local Trinity St David University shortly afterwards. Questions were made over the appointment, such as why Davidson did not notify the committee that regulates the appointments of former ministers to ensure fair play
Local Government
Davidson spent 10 years as Labour city councillor in Cardiff (1987–96), was Welsh Co-ordinator for the National Local Government Forum followed by being Head of Social Affairs for the Welsh Local Government Association, before becoming Assembly Member for PontypriddPontypridd
Pontypridd is both a community and a principal town of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales and is situated 12 miles/19 km north of the Welsh capital city of Cardiff...
in 1999.
National Assembly
Was Deputy Presiding Officer before being appointed to the Cabinet of the Welsh Assembly GovernmentWelsh Assembly Government
The Welsh Government is the devolved government of Wales. It is accountable to the National Assembly for Wales, the legislature which represents the interests of the people of Wales and makes laws for Wales...
on 16 October 2000 as Minister for Education, Lifelong Learning & Skills. In the first Cabinet of the Third Assembly she was appointed Minister for Sustainability and Rural Development (31 May 2007) until a coalition cabinet was agreed with Plaid Cymru
Plaid Cymru
' is a political party in Wales. It advocates the establishment of an independent Welsh state within the European Union. was formed in 1925 and won its first seat in 1966...
, and she became instead Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing (19 July 2007).
Education Policy
Davidson's education policy followed a different path to the decentralising and individualist policies taken in England by her Labour colleagues, where there are a number of faith schools open to the public. She closed St David Lewis Roman Catholic school because of claimed 'falling pupil numbers', saying it was 'no longer financially or educationally viable' . Other schools Davidson closed included Mynyddcerrig School in 2007 and Pentrebach Infants in 2001 , the latter of which was kept open by Conservative Welsh Secretary William HagueWilliam Hague
William Jefferson Hague is the British Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State. He served as Leader of the Conservative Party from June 1997 to September 2001...
as part of his Government's policy of parental choice and individualistic education in 1995.
Animal Welfare Policies
While originally joining the Labour Party due to opposition to fox hunting, Davidson’s animal welfare policies appeared to reflect a more dehumanised approach to animal welfare. In 2007 she executed Shambo, a sacred cow from a monk’s temple, after lesions in the cow made her take the decision to end its life . In 2002 she was criticised by the RSPCA for not taking animal rights seriously enough.External links
- Jane Davidson's personal website
- Jane Davidson's MySpace page
- Biography at the Welsh Assembly Government