The Welsh Liberal Democrats have paid tribute to former
Welsh Assembly Member Mick Bates following the news that he has passed away
following a battle with cancer.
Mick Bates was elected as the Liberal Democrat member for
Montgomeryshire constituency in the inaugural Welsh Assembly elections in 1999
and continued to serve as its member until 2011.
Prior to becoming the Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire
Mick had worked as a teacher, as a farmer and as a Liberal Democrat County
Councillor.
Mick was well known for being a tireless campaigner for
rural communities, but also for being decades ahead of his time on the need to
tackle climate change advocating for action to save the environment years
before it entered the political mainstream.
As a County Councillor, he started a community regeneration
scheme as Chairman of the Llanfair Town Forum, which successfully obtained
Market Towns Initiative status. He also produced and presented the Radio
Maldwyn farming programme and organised a scheme for students to visit farms
alongside helping to found Montgomeryshire Rural Enterprises in 1997.
While a Member of the Welsh Assembly, Mick campaigned for
extra money for rural schools helping establish a small schools fund and fought
for better infrastructure in Mid Wales having been a major driving force behind
getting the Newtown Bypass built.
Mick also designed the unique concept of Farming Connect, a
free business advisory service to help farmers throughout Wales. During his
time as an Assembly Member, he also helped found the cross-party National
Assembly Sustainable Energy Group (NASEG) which sought to promote the
development of a sustainable energy industry in Wales.
Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader and current Senedd Member Jane
Dodds paid tribute to Mick stating:
“Mick was one of the most welcoming and kindest people I
knew.
“When I first arrived in Welshpool nearly ten years ago, he
was so generous with his time with me.
“His knowledge of the issues affecting his beloved
Montgomeryshire was endless. He was one of a kind - there will never be another
Mick Bates.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Buddug, his
children Ruth and Daniel, and his five wonderful grandchildren alongside the
rest of his family and friends.”
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