John Griffiths (Welsh politician)

For other people named John Griffiths, see John Griffiths (disambiguation).

John Griffiths AM
File:John Griffiths.jpg
Member of the Welsh Assembly for Newport East
Incumbent
Assumed office 6 May 1999
Preceded by	New Assembly
Majority	5,388 (27.7%)
Counsel General for Wales
In office 9 December 2009 – 13 May 2011
First Minister	Carwyn Jones
Preceded by	Carwyn Jones
Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development
Incumbent
Assumed office 13 May 2011
First Minister	Carwyn Jones
Preceded by	Jane Davidson
Personal details
Born	(1956-12-19) 19 December 1956 Newport, Monmouthshire
Political party	Labour Co-operative
Alma mater	University of Wales

John Griffiths AM (born 19 December 1956) is a Welsh Labour Co-operative politician and the Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development. Born in Newport, Monmouthshire, Griffiths has represented the constituency of Newport East since the National Assembly for Wales was established in 1999.

Education

Studied law as a mature student at the University of Wales.

Professional career

Before his election to the National Assembly of Wales, he was a practising solicitor (criminal law, personal injury and general civil litigation).

Political career

Former councillor on Gwent County Council and Newport CBC. Member of Labour's National Policy Forum, Co-operative Party, Workers' Educational Association & Full Employment Forum. Committed republican. Member of the ISTC trade union. Member of the National Assembly of Wales for Newport East since 1999.

Griffiths' political interests include economic development, social inclusion, education and Europe.

In the National Assembly for Wales he was appointed Deputy Minister for Health and Social Care (Older People) from May 2003 until May 2007. In the Third Assembly was appointed Deputy Minister for Education, Culture and the Welsh Language (31 May 2007) and retained that position when the coalition government of Plaid Cymru and Labour was announced on 19 July. John supported Carwyn Jones in the Welsh Labour leadership contest in 2009. He was appointed Counsel General and Leader of the Legislative Programme in the Welsh Assembly in December 2009, a job previously done by First Minister Carwyn Jones.

External links

• John Griffiths AM Website
• Biography - National Assembly for Wales Website

References

National Assembly for Wales
Preceded by (new post)	Assembly Member for Newport East 1999–present	Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by new post	Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services (Older People and Public Health) 2005 - 2007	Succeeded by post re-organised
Preceded by Brian Gibbons	Deputy Minister for Health and Social Care 2007 (31 May to 19 July)	Succeeded by Gwenda Thomas
Preceded by (new post)	Deputy Minister for Education, Culture and Welsh Language 2007 (July - October)	Succeeded by post re-organised
Preceded by (new post)	Deputy Minister for Skills 2007 - 2009	Succeeded by post re-organised
Preceded by Jane Davidson	Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development 2011 - 2013	Succeeded by post re-organised
Legal offices
Preceded by Carwyn Jones	Counsel General for Wales 2009 - 2011	Succeeded by Theodore Huckle QC