Carl Sargeant’s son chosen to be Labour candidate
THE son of former Cabinet Minister Carl Sargeant has been chosen as Welsh Labour’s candidate in the National Assembly by-election caused by his father’s death.
Jack Sargeant defeated two rivals for the nomination at a selection meeting in Connah’s Quay Civic Hall last night.
He will be odds-on favourite to win the Alyn and Deeside by-election on February 6. Since the constituency was created in 1983, it has always been represented by Labour, both at Westminster and at the Assembly.
Carl Sargeant, who was first elected as an AM in 2003, was found dead at his home on November 7, and is believed to have taken his own life. An inquest is pending.
Four days before his death, he had been removed from his post as Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children by First Minister Carwyn Jones following unspecified allegations of sexual harassment made against him.
At the hustings meeting Jack Sargeant defeated Flintshire councillor Carolyn Thomas and Saltney town councillor Hannah Jones, both of whom had also been shortlisted.
It is understood that 150 members of Alyn and Deeside Constituency Labour Party attended the meeting and were eligible to vote.
After his selection, Jack Sargeant said: “I am humbled and honoured to have been selected as Labour’s candidate to contest the Alyn & Deeside by-election on Tuesday, February 6. I would like to thank local Labour Party members for the faith they have placed in me.
“I will be standing on a platform of being a powerful voice for local people – in the proud tradition of my father. I will also be seeking justice for him – getting to the truth about the chain of events that led to his premature death.”
From today, Mr Sargeant said he will be “out and about on the campaign trail right across the constituency – listening to local concerns about the economy, health and education. “If elected, I promise to champion north Wales’ interests on all these issues.
“Whilst friends from the wider Labour family across Britain will be welcome to visit and campaign alongside us to secure victory, I want to emphasise - this will be a locally run campaign.
“I take nothing for granted in this byelection. But I believe my Labour values and my commitment to work tirelessly to ensure those values deliver for local people can win through on February 6.”
Mr Sargeant is 23. He went to Ysgol Bryn Deva primary school, then Connahs Quay High School. He went on to do an apprenticeship at Deeside College working with a local small business, then got his degree from Glyndwr University, Wrexham.
Like his father, Jack Sargeant is a Newcastle United supporter. He plays five-a-side football, and likes music and travelling.
The Conservative candidate in the by-election will be former nurse Sarah Atherton, while the Liberal Democrats have selected community councillor Donna Lalek.
Plaid Cymru has chosen Wrexham councillor Carrie Harper, while Ukip said before Labour’s selection meeting that it would only contest the seat if Jack Sargeant failed to be chosen.
Nominations to participate in the by-election close on Wednesday, January 10.
At the last Assembly election in 2016, Carl Sargeant had a majority of 5,364 over the second-placed Conservative candidate.
He secured 45.7% of the vote.