I'd always heard about Steffan Lewis from my former ministerial colleague and fellow Assembly Member, Jocelyn Davies, who was so proud of this young political activist who volunteered in her office. And when she told me she was standing down at the 2016 election, she actually said she was glad that this would provide an opportunity for Steffan to take his place in the Assembly as her successor Plaid Cymru Assembly Member for the South Wales East region. 

Of course, Steffan was known by many of us for his work behind the scenes before 2016, working for Leanne as her speech writer, and we knew—we knew—he would be formidable when the time came for him to enter the public world of politics as an Assembly Member. And, of course, he made his mark from day one as the youngest Member elected in 2016. I recall, as many will as well, Steffan taking his seat here in the Chamber with great confidence, clarity, but also humble about his role and the opportunity he'd had—clear about his politics, of course. I remember he said—and you can recall that, and his colleagues—that he wouldn't be using his computer, because he wanted to be fully engaged in debates. He didn't want to have that charge we often get: 'What are you doing staring at your computer all day?' And I think he stuck to that promise. So, if we wanted him, we had to get him out of the Chamber or text him.

He was ready from the start to work outside the party confines to achieve shared goals and aims, and he took the lead as we quickly moved into the pre-imposed referendum world as the party spokesperson, working with Labour on 'Securing Wales' Future', and of course that has stood the test of time today, as the First Minister said today, and indeed last week. But he was also expert and steadfast as finance spokesperson. He sat on both finance and the external affairs committees, as I did, and when I joined those committees last November, I enjoyed them so much more when he was able to join us, as Dai Rees has said, despite his advancing illness and arduous treatment, which he faced with such courage, which all of us will have learnt from. But he did, as has been said, never let any Labour Minister or colleague off the hook in terms of his scrutiny, but was always supportive when he saw common cause. 

I also want to pay tribute to the role Steffan played in promoting the importance of Wales in the world, and the importance of external affairs. So, he handed over to me the rapporteur role he'd played with Jeremy Miles, when he was on the committee, looking at the opportunities for Wales in the world as part of our responsibilities towards international development—and I know Eluned Morgan will be taking this forward—but also post Brexit, determined to ensure that Wales was not bypassed and was recognised diplomatically, culturally, socially and economically.

The walk with Steff has been mentioned, organised by Nia last July. I remember walking with Dai Lloyd and Jeff Cuthbert along the canal to Blackwood. It will be a lasting memory for all of us, and I remember that hug with Steffan on that walk. For Steffan, it was so important that he was raising those funds for Velindre. And of course, with that, my heartfelt thoughts and sympathies are with his family today, and in the weeks and months and years ahead.

Steffan, you've left a great legacy as a passionate Welsh European, an international citizen of the world, and we'll continue to help pursue those goals in your memory, because you were far-sighted in your political vision as a proud and outstanding person and politician of Wales.