The Welsh Party had to learn some quick lessons with the coming of the National Assembly. Years of policy debate had to be turned into a costed and deliverable programme. And a programme for government it became – the backbone of the Lib Dem/ Labour partnership government. Gareth Jones was the mastermind behind the programme.
Gareth was born in Blaina in the Welsh valleys. A man with dogged determination – a feature of that close, self supporting community. After a very successful career in international business he returned to his native Wales, learning the Welsh language and writing a book about Welsh grammar.
He became Chair of the local Health trust, a Director of the Institute of Welsh Affairs, and found his way, with some encouragement, into the Welsh party’s policy structure. His contribution was inestimable. We would sit around his vast dining table with everyone bringing their policy proposals forward on a single sheet of A4. Following discussion, the proposal fell into one of three categories – acceptable, required further work and crap. Avoiding ‘crap’ and being dumped in the waste bin became the challenge for us all. Meanwhile his wife Helen would prepare vast meals to feed the thoughtful Lib Dems.
The end result – a manifesto with hundreds of tightly drawn clear proposals, which became the backbone of the Welsh government between 2000 and 2003.
He subsequently became a Powys County Councillor where, as he put it, “I moved from policy to potholes”. A salutary experience.
Gareth died in Cyprus on 3rd December 2009, his funeral was held on 7th December and he was laid to rest in the British cemetery in Erimi. A memorial service is being held a Brecon Cathedral at 11am on Saturday, 20th February 2010.
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