Mike Hedges (politician)

Michael John Hedges AM (born 8 July 1956) is a Welsh Labour politician, who has represented the constituency of Swansea East since the 2011 National Assembly for Wales election with a majority of 8,281 and with 58.36% of the total vote.

Mike has lived in Morriston for many years but was originally born in the Plasmarl area of Swansea. He is married to Anne and has a daughter, Catrin, who attends Ysgol Gyfun Bryntawe. He attended Plasmarl, Parklands and Penlan Schools, and then went on to higher education at both Swansea University and Cardiff University. Active in local sport, Mike has been a football referee, coach and was secretary of Morriston town for several years. Currently, Mike is President of Ynystawe Cricket and Football Club and is a social member of both Morriston RFC and Glais RFC.

Originally a research scientist for British Steel Corporation at Port Talbot, Mike has spent the last 27 years as a senior lecturer in Pontypridd, specialising in computing and information technology.

Mike Hedges was elected to represent Morriston on the City and County of Swansea Council in 1995. He was re-elected in 1999, 2004 and 2008. He was previously a member of Swansea City Council from 1989. He held a number of senior posts on the Council, including Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Technical Services. He was also Vice-Chair of the Council's Scrutiny Committee and the Welsh Local Government Association spokesperson on both social services and information.

Taking an active interest in education, Hedges has been a governor of Swansea University, Swansea Institute, Mynyddbach and Morriston Comprehensives, Swansea College and is currently chair of the governors of Glyncollen Primary School and Ynystawe Primary School.

Mike Hedges was also a non-executive director of Swansea NHS Trust between 1999 and 2005. His political interests include education, health, local government, sports provision and social deprivation.

Mike currently sits as a member on the Assembly's Finance Committee, Public Accounts Committee and the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee. Mike is also Chair of the Cross Party Group on Older People & Ageing as well as a member on the Cross Party Groups on Autism, Beer & The Pub, Co-operatives & Mutuals, Cancer, Deaf Issues and PCS Union.