AM to step down at next election

Mick Bates was a science teacher before becoming an AM

The Liberal Democrat Mick Bates has announced that he will not stand at the next Welsh Assembly elections in 2011.

Mr Bates, the AM for Montgomeryshire, had a majority of just under 2,000 votes at the last assembly election.

The 61-year-old said he had made the decision now in order to give the local party time to select a new candidate.

He said his decision was influenced by his wife, a school headmistress, taking early retirement. He also said he wanted more time to "shear the sheep".

Mr Bates said his decision had nothing to do with the recent European election results and said it had been "on the cards for a long time".

"It's been planned for a long time and making this announcement before the summer is ideal - it allows the local party to get their selection process together and gives the new candidate a chance to settle in before winning the seat at the next Assembly election," he told BBC Wales.

"People are drawing conclusions from recent events - including the European election results - but it's been on the cards for a long time. My wife is retiring from her job and 2011 is an ideal time for me to go.

I hope that I have helped farmers build their businesses and I hope that I have played a role in promoting rural Wales Mick Bates

Mr Bates had a hip replacement last year, but he denied that his decision to stand down is anything to do with his health.

"I want to spend more time with my family - I'd like to see more of my grandchild and I'd also like a bit more time to shear the sheep," he said.

"I've just come in from shearing now - it's a big job!

He said he had loved his 12 years at the assembly, particularly when the Liberal Democrats were in the partnership government with Labour.

"I like to think that I used my expertise to help the farmers of Wales," he said.

"I hope that I have helped farmers build their businesses and I hope that I have played a role in promoting rural Wales.

"There are lots of issues over disillusionment and disconnection with politics but I'd like to think that I have been of genuine service to my constituents."

Mr Bates was elected for Montgomeryshire to the Welsh Assembly in the first assembly elections of 1999.

At the last election in 2007, he had a majority of just under 2,000 votes with 39% of the vote. The Conservatives were in second place.

'Legacy'

Kirsty Williams AM, the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, paid tribute to Mr Bates as "a tremendous assembly member".

She added: "He has worked incredibly hard for the people of Montgomeryshire and has been a crucial member of the Liberal Democrat team in Cardiff Bay.

"His work on sustainability and rural issues has been crucial in driving forward policy in those areas.

"His lasting legacy will be free school milk, the Farming Connect Scheme and a commitment to sustainability that runs through the national assembly's work."

Mr Bates is the chairman of the assembly's sustainability committee, which deals with environmental and rural affairs.

A former science teacher, his interests include sport, painting and walking. He likes music, especially Bob Dylan.