Lord Roberts of Conwy has died at the age of 83.
He piloted the Welsh Language Act in 1993 and as Wyn Roberts served as Conservative MP for Conwy from 1970 until his retirement from the House of Commons in 1997.
During 18 years of government, he was the longest-serving minister in the same department.
Welsh Secretary David Jones called him "an extraordinary man" and a "powerful exponent" of the Welsh language.
Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "I'm sad to hear a great Conservative, Lord Roberts of Conwy, has died. He did so much for Wales, including piloting the Welsh Language Act."
The non conformist minister's son from Anglesey turned to politics after starting his career in journalism.
After Margaret Thatcher won the 1979 election, Wyn Roberts was made Welsh Office minister and his responsibilities included the Welsh language.
He never made it into the cabinet but served under four Secretaries of State and two prime ministers.
"Start Quote
End Quote David Jones MP Welsh SecretaryWyn Roberts was the greatest Welshman of his generation"
He became Baron Roberts of Conwy when he retired as an MP in 1997 and was as an opposition spokesman on Welsh affairs in the Lords until 2007.
Lord Roberts leaves a wife, Enid - who he married in 1956 - and sons Huw and Geraint. His son Rhys died in 2004.
Welsh Secretary David Jones said Lord Roberts had been "a very active man" in the House of Lords until becoming ill a few months ago.
LORD ROBERTS, 1930-2013
- Born 10 July 1930, Llansadwrn, Anglesey
- Educated at Harrow (scholarship) and Oxford
- Married Enid, three sons
- Former journalist with The Liverpool Post, BBC Wales, TWW and programme executive Harlech TV
- MP for Conwy 1970-1997
- Opposition spokesman on Welsh Aff 1974-79
- Parliamentary Under Sec Welsh Office 1979-87, Minister of State for Wales 1987-94
- Opposition spokesman on constitutional affairs (Wales) House of Lords 1997-2001, and Welsh Affairs 2001-07
- President of Univ of Wales College of Medicine 1997-2004, vice-pres Univ of Cardiff 2004-07; member Gorsedd National Eisteddfod 1966; honorary fellow Bangor Univ 1995, Aberystwyth Univ 1997; honorary doctorate Univ of Wales 2005
He called him "the greatest Welshman of his generation."
"The greatest of his many political achievements was the Welsh Language Act, which gave full and proper recognition in public life to the language of which he was such a masterful and powerful exponent, and which he loved so much," said Mr Jones.
'Guardian angel'He said this was his "personal achievement" and marked him as "doing more for Welsh cultural life than any man of his generation."
Mr Jones added that Lord Roberts was "an extraordinary man, very kind, extremely wise with a tremendous sense humour."
"To me, he was a kind friend and wise counsellor. He will be greatly missed, both in Wales and in Westminster."
Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies AM called Lord Roberts "a great politician and a great man".
He added: "His hard work and commitment to public service had a hugely positive impact upon the future of the Welsh language and Wales as a whole.
"I know he will be greatly missed and my heartfelt condolences go out to his family on this very sad day."
Huw Jones, chairman of the S4C Authority, called Lord Roberts "a guardian angel for the Welsh language and for S4C within the Conservative government of the 80s and 90s".
"Both were close to his heart and he did everything he could to promote and support them."
Mr Jones added: "Alongside his measured and careful style, he had humour and mischief in his eye and great personal warmth.
"He made a huge contribution at a critical time for the Welsh language and he will be greatly missed."
There were also tributes from political opponents.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "I am saddened to hear of the death of Lord Roberts of Conwy and my thoughts go out to his family and friends at this time.
"Lord Roberts was a leading figure in Welsh politics for more than 30 years. As well as a long career in the Welsh Office he will be particularly remembered for his work on the Welsh language and for piloting the Welsh Language Act.
"He will be greatly missed by Welsh politics as a whole."
Lord Barry Jones - the former Shadow Welsh Secretary and Alyn and Deeside MP - said: "Had there been any justice in politics he would have been Secretary of State for Wales. His memoirs were superb.
"Wyn built more roads than the Romans. He was the quintessential Welsh Conservative with an outstanding track record of service."
Veteran journalist and friend Derek Bellis told BBC Radio Wales: "He was a very kind, gentle and humorous man with a giant intellect but no ego at all.
"I never saw him have a single cross word. He often had to run the brunt of demonstrations but took it all in good heart."
Mr Bellis added: "I visited him over the last few months when he was ill but his brain was as sharp as a tack.
"He was no toff was Wyn - he was a man of the people."
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Lord Roberts of Conwy dies, aged 83
Dengan url
http://cangkirtehhangat.blogspot.com/2013/12/lord-roberts-of-conwy-dies-aged-83.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Lord Roberts of Conwy dies, aged 83
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Lord Roberts of Conwy dies, aged 83
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar