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23 January 2013

Older Person spokespeople appointed

It was announced yesterday that the Assembly Member Older Person spokespeople are as follows:

  • Conservative - Darren Millar AM
  • Labour – Gwenda Thomas AM
  • Plaid Cymru – Lindsay Whittle AM
  • Liberal Democrats – Aled Roberts AM

Commenting on the appointments, Matt Kennedy, CHC’s Policy Officer for Care, Support & Community Health said: “We welcome the creation of these roles. Our members work in partnership with social care and health to empower older people through dynamic housing, care and support services. We look forward to working closely with them to discuss the on-going developments Housing Associations are making to improve the lives of older people throughout Wales.”

Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, said: “I am delighted at the announcement by the Conservative, Plaid Cymru, and Liberal Democrat parties in Wales that they have responded to my call and each appointed an older people’s spokesperson.

“As Commissioner, the independent champion for older people in Wales, my job is to stand up and speak out on their behalf and to make sure that the issues that matter most to older people are the issues that are being addressed across public service in Wales.

“Whilst there is much in Wales that we can and should celebrate about growing older, not least of all the fact that we are a nation of older people, there still remains much that we must do if we are able to say that Wales is a good place to grow older, not just for some, but for everyone.

“I would like to pay tribute to the work of the Deputy Minister, Gwenda Thomas, who has done so much to personally drive forward the issues that matter to older people.

“But of course, the issues faced by older people cross party boundaries and we have already seen, in respect of the commitment in Wales to move to a declaration of rights for older people, the difference made when we speak with one voice.

“I know that having a dedicated spokesperson for older people from each party will send a very strong message to older people across Wales, a message that says quite simply that all the political parties in Wales recognise that older people must have a strong voice. I am already playing my part as Commissioner to give them that voice and I look forward to working with colleagues across the political spectrum to strengthen that voice even further.”