Carwyn Jones pays tribute to Jack Sargeant following by-election nomination

Wales first minister Carwyn Jones has paid tribute to Jack Sargeant following his nomination as Labour candidate for the forthcoming Alyn and Deeside Assembly by-election next month.

Mr Jones told BBC Radio’s Good Morning Wales programme: “He’s a young man, it’s a big step for him to take. I want to pay tribute to what he’s done. [Link: 1.25.05]

“It’s not an easy decision for him, I’m sure, but it shows the commitment that he has to his principles and politics.”

The son of late Assembly Member Carl Sargeant says he will be a champion for Alyn and Deeside “just as my dad was”  and wants to continue his fathers legacy.

Jack Sargeant, 23, was chosen by Labour party members as the party’s Assembly candidate in a secret ballot at a hustings event in Connah’s Quay Civic Hall last week.

He secured the nomination with over 50% of the vote ahead of the two other candidates Carolyn Thomas, county councillor for Treuddyn and Hannah Jones, a Saltney town councillor.

He said he was “humbled and honoured to have been selected as Labour’s candidate to contest the Alyn & Deeside by-election.”

Jack Sargeant also said he was “seeking justice” for his late Father and wants to get to the “truth about the chain of events that led to his premature death.”

Broughton and Bretton community councillor Donna Lalek has been chosen to stand as a Welsh Liberal Democrat candidate. Read more about Donna here.

Gresford Community councillor Sarah Atherton is the Welsh Conservative candidate. Read more about Sarah here.

Wrexham councillor Carrie Harper is the Plaid Cymru candidate. Read more about Carrie here

Duncan Rees has put himself forward as the prospective Green Party candidate. Read more about Duncan here

UKIP said they will not field a candidate if Jack Sargeant is chosen by labour, “out of respect to the late Carl Sargeant.”

Candidates wishing to stand for election have until 4.00pm on 10 January 2018 to submit their nomination to Flintshire County Council to appear on the ballot paper, and as such the candidates specified above do not constitute an exhaustive list of every candidate that may be standing for election.

The Alyn and Deeside by-election will take place on February 6th