Key interests and
achievements
David is a strong advocate for
good relationships between workers and their employers and as such believes
that trade unions have an important role in supporting working people. He is a member of both Unite and Unison and
was previously also a member of the Universities and Colleges Union during his educational
career. His academic interest in the application of computing led him to become
a member of the British Computer Society and a Chartered Engineer during his
time as an academic.
His political interests include
the future of manufacturing in Wales, the provision of health services,
education, economic development & regeneration including the opening up of
more tourism opportunities within the South Wales valleys and improving public
services within local communities.
Personal history
David Rees is a native of
Aberavon and was educated in local primary and comprehensive schools. Upon
completing his A-levels he attended University College Cardiff (now Cardiff
University) for both his undergraduate studies and his PGCE. He has always lived
in Port Talbot and now lives in Cwmafan, Port Talbot, with his wife. They have
two adult daughters, both of whom attended local Welsh medium schools, and five
grandchildren.
David has an honours degree in
Civil & Structural Engineering from Cardiff University, as well as a
post-graduate teaching qualification and a master’s degree in Computer Science.
Professional background
David started his education
career as a teacher of mathematics and computer science in Cynffig
Comprehensive School, Kenfig Hill, before becoming a lecturer in computing at
Afan College. He then moved into higher education as a senior lecturer in
Computing and prior to his election to the National Assembly in 2011 he had
progressed his career to become an Assistant Dean of Faculty at Swansea
Metropolitan University (now part of UWTSD).
During his time at Swansea Metropolitan University, David was chair of the
Joint trade union committee and a lay member of the Welsh regional committee of
UCU (NATFHE) representing members across the institution.
David has continually shown an
interest in educational governance and has been a staff governor at Swansea
Institute of HE (as it was known then) and Afan College (as it was known then)
plus a parent governor at Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera.
Political history
David was first elected to the
National Assembly for Wales as the Labour Assembly Member for Aberavon in 2011,
succeeding Dr Brian Gibbons. During the fourth Assembly term David chaired the
Health & Social Care Committee and also sat on the Enterprise &
Business Committee, the Environment Committee and the Children, Young People
& Education Committee. He also
chaired cross party groups (CPGs) on Science & Technology, Mental Health
and Industrial Communities.
In 2016, David was re-elected
to represent Aberavon in the Senedd.
During the fifth Senedd, David chaired the External Affairs &
Additional Legislative committee and also sat on the Finance Committee, the
Health, Social Care & Sport Committee and the committee for the Scrutiny of
the First Minister. He continued to
chair the CPGs on STEMM and Mental Health and also chaired CPGs on STEEL,
Nursing & Midwifery and Cancer, whilst being a member of several others.
In 2021, David was once again
re-elected to represent his home town in the sixth Senedd, and was subsequently
elected as Deputy Presiding Officer.
Since joining the Labour party
in 1982 he has held a number of positions within the Labour Party in Wales, as
well as in his trade unions.
Before being selected to
represent his home constituency in 2011, David was the Labour Party’s candidate
for Brecon and Radnorshire in the 2003 National Assembly election and a list
candidate for South Wales West in the 2007 election.
