Welsh Education minister Leighton Andrews resigns

Minister for Education in the Welsh Government, Leighton Andrews AM has resigned after a row over his defense of  a school in his constituency threatened by closure under his own surplus places policy.

Mr Andrews had been seen holding a banner in support of Pentre Primary School in his Rhondda constituency. He has also protested against potential cuts to a hospital serving his constituency. Both health and education are devolved issues.

But in his government capacity, he repeatedly warned councils across Wales that they must close and amalgamate schools to deal with excess capacity.

In a letter to First Minister Carwen Jones, Mr Andrews said:

“I regret that my commitment to my constituents may have led me to an apparent conflict which led to difficulty for the government”.

Mr Jones said that his accepted the resignation “with deep regret.”

There was a strong reaction from some Labour figures. Former Welsh Secretary Peter Hain tweeted:

“Leighton Andrews resigning is catastrophic for Welsh Labour incredibly able and dynamic Education Minister refused to accept low standards”.

Labour’s Rhondda MP Chris Bryant, who had also protested the closures to the school and a local hospital tweeted:

“Very proud of @LeightonAndrews A great education minister but he laid down his job to fight for the rhondda on pentre closure and Royal Glam”.