University Lecturer
He was appointed Lecturer in Social Policy at Coventry (Lanchester) Polytechnic and later worked at the University of Sheffield, South Bank Polytechnic and Manchester Polytechnic. He was appointed Senior Lecturer in Social Policy at the University of Brighton in 1989 teaching health, housing, social services, government and politics. As a Research Consultant with the Low Pay Unit his study Wales: Land of Low Pay and subsequent research contributed to the campaign for a National Minimum Wage. He also been a tutor for the Open University and is currently Visiting Lecturer in Social Policy at the University of Brighton.
Member of Parliament
Huw was first elected to Parliament as Labour MP for Monmouth following a by-election in May 1991. At the time he was the youngest MP from Wales and served on the Welsh Affairs Select Committee. He was defeated in the 1992 General Election and returned to the University of Brighton but was re-elected as Member of Parliament for Monmouth in 1997 until 2005 and was a member of the House of Commons Welsh Affairs Select Committee.
He has extensive experience of campaigning and representing organisations in the private and voluntary sectors and was Vice Chair of the All Party Groups on Learning Disabilities and Carers. He was involved in the scrutiny of legislation including the National Minimum Wage Bill, Carers (Disabled Children) Bill, Countryside and Rights of Way Bill, Food Standards Agency Bill and the legislation establishing the National Assembly for Wales and other devolved administrations. His main interests were constitutional reform, local environmental issues and social policy legislation.
He is now a member of the Association of Former Members of Parliament and an Associate Member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
Independent Trainer
Huw became an Independent Trainer in 2005 and specialises in courses on Understanding Parliament, Government, Legislation, Devolution, Politics and Public Policy. He is an Associate Lecturer of the National School of Government and other training organisations listed below. He has been involved in training staff at a wide range of government departments, public bodies, private sector organisations and the voluntary sector. His courses have also been attended by councillors in local government. He was commissioned to run a one week course on Good Governance for the elected politicians of St Helena and has also briefed Government Ministers from Bosnia.
Research
Huw is currently registered for a PhD at the Constitution Unit, Department of Political Science, University College London. His researchDevolution and the Developing Constitutional Framework for Wales is being supervised by Professor Robert Hazell.
Personal
Huw lives in Monmouth in the Wye Valley with his wife Tess and step-children Chrissy and Tommy. They enjoy walking cycling and swimming. He still plays some football, rugby and cricket – only the skiing is improving!
