1. Tributes to Steffan Lewis AM

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 1:47 pm on 15 January 2019.

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Photo of Elin Jones Elin Jones Plaid Cymru 1:47, 15 January 2019

Thank you to all Members for your tributes. It's clear that in his too short a time here, Steffan made an impression across this Chamber. Sitting here as I do, I watch many of you typing away as debates carry on around you. Steffan, as we've heard, didn't type. He had his computer disabled when he took his seat so he could listen to debates and take part in debate. Of course, he learnt there was a downside to that, as he then couldn't message me to ask to be called in a debate. However, he quickly learnt that a cheeky smile or a phone text, or Siân Gwenllian, were just as persuasive to get himself called to speak.

And who wouldn't call Steffan Lewis? What he had to say was worth hearing. I'd watch you all, First Ministers past and present, Ministers, backbenchers—you all listened to what Steffan had to say. He spoke with a quiet authority, a clarity of thought, always with something original to say. Steffan was the one to challenge the orthodoxy of the day, and that happened as much within Plaid Cymru as it did within this Chamber.