Tom Middlehurst

Thomas Middlehurst{{Cite web |title=Election results for Alyn and Deeside / Alun a Glannau Dyfrdwy: National Assembly for Wales / Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru – Thursday, 6th May, 1999) |url=https://committeemeetings.flintshire.gov.uk/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?ID=354&RPID=0&LLL=0 |access-date=6 February 2024 |website=Flintshire County Council}} was born in Ormskirk, Lancashire, England on 25 June 1936. He was educated at Ormskirk Grammar School, Wigan Technical College and Liverpool Polytechnic. He was an engineering apprentice from 1952 to 1957 and worked as an underground engineer at the National Coal Board from 1957 to 1963. He then worked in the private sector as an engineer and manager of work studies until 1971.{{Cite news |date=1 September 1999 |title=People in the Assembly: Tom Middlehurst |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/uk/wales/13030.stm |access-date=5 February 2024 |work=BBC News}} He was also a fitter and lived in Sherrat Street, Skelmersdale.{{Cite news |date=9 May 1963 |title=As-You-Were Election |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/983949681 |url-access=limited |access-date=5 February 2024 |work=Skelmersdale Reporter |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com |issue=19}}{{Cite news |date=23 April 1964 |title=Elections – Seven seats at Skelmersdale, five at Up Holland |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/983935376 |url-access=limited |access-date=19 February 2024 |work=Skelmersdale Reporter |page=12 |via=Newspapers.com |issue=69}}

Middlehurst is a member of the Labour Party. In the 1960s, he was the secretary of the local branch of the Labour Party in Skelmersdale. In the 1963 local elections, he stood for election to the Old Skelmersdale ward{{Cite news |date=10 August 1967 |title=Struggle for power on new council: Political parties begin campaigns |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/983942711 |url-access=limited |access-date=5 February 2024 |work=Skelmersdale Reporter |via=Newspapers.com |issue=241}} in Skelmersdale Urban District Council to fill the vacancy left by the death of Labour councillor Tom Pye. He was elected for a term of 12 months, the remainder of Pye's term, with 830 votes.{{Cite news |date=16 April 1964 |title=Skelmersdale Labour candidates |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/983935194 |url-access=limited |access-date=5 February 2024 |work=Skelmersdale Reporter |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com |issue=68}} He stood for re-election in the 1964 local elections, where he won a second 12 month term,{{Cite news |date=7 May 1964 |title=Association candidate tops Skelmersdale poll |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/983935480 |url-access=limited |access-date=19 February 2024 |work=Skelmersdale Reporter |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com |issue=71}} and the 1965 local elections.{{Cite news |date=29 April 1965 |title=Election Candidates: Skelmersdale |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/983935479 |url-access=limited |access-date=5 February 2024 |work=Skelmersdale Reporter |page=10 |via=Newspapers.com |issue=122}} In 1966, he was elected chair of the council's parks committee.{{Cite news |date=26 May 1966 |title=On the threshold of greatness |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/983946871 |url-access=limited |access-date=9 February 2024 |work=Skelmersdale Reporter |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com |issue=178}} In 1968, Skelmersdale Urban District Council was abolished and replaced by Skelmersdale and Holland Urban District Council; Middlehurst was one of six Labour councillors who did not stand for election to the new council.{{Cite news |date=8 February 1968 |title=Labour introduce a new look |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/983963569 |url-access=limited |access-date=5 February 2024 |work=Skelmersdale Reporter |page=5 |via=Newspapers.com |issue=267}}{{Cite news |date=4 April 1968 |title=A good start is essential: first meeting of the new local authority |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/983965626 |url-access=limited |access-date=5 February 2024 |work=Skelmersdale Reporter |page=6 |via=Newspapers.com |issue=275}}

In 1971 Middlehurst moved to Wales, settling in Ewloe, Flintshire.{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Matthew |date=4 December 1998 |title=Focus on favourites in run up to election |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/929289261 |url-access=limited |access-date=6 February 2024 |work=Flint and Holywell Chronicle |page=17 |via=Newspapers.com}} He worked as a local government officer for Flintshire County Council and its successor Clwyd County Council until 1993. In the 1987 local elections, he was elected as one of two councillors for Ewloe in Alyn and Deeside District Council alongside Conservative councillor P. Bernie. Middlehurst was re-elected alongside Bernie in the 1991 local elections and also served as the chair of the council's housing committee.{{Cite web |last1=Rallings |first1=Colin |last2=Thrasher |first2=Michael |date=October 2015 |title=Alyn & Deeside Welsh District Council Election Results 1973–1991 |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Alyn-Deeside-1973-1991.pdf |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=Plymouth University}} He was also elected unopposed{{Cite news |date=6 April 1993 |title=Local Elections: Clwyd |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/913704043 |url-access=limited |access-date=9 February 2024 |work=Daily Post |page=16 |via=Newspapers.com}} as the councillor for Sealand in Clwyd County Council at the 1993 local elections, where he went on to chair the personnel committee.{{Cite web |last1=Rallings |first1=Colin |last2=Thrasher |first2=Michael |date=November 2015 |title=Clwyd County Council Election Results 1973–1993 |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Clwyd-County-1973-1993.pdf |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=Plymouth University}}

In 1994 the government reorganised local government in Wales, with Clwyd County Council and Alyn and Deeside District Council set to be abolished and replaced by a re-established Flintshire County Council from 1996.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WJ4WAQAAIAAJ |title=The Local Government Companion 2003 |publisher=HM Stationery Office |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-1170-2767-1 |page=380 |chapter=Flintshire County Council |access-date=9 February 2024}} At the 1995 local elections, Middlehurst was elected alongside Labour colleague Alison Halford as one of two incoming councillors for Ewloe in Flintshire County Council.{{Cite web |last1=Rawlings |first1=Colin |last2=Thrasher |first2=Michael |date=June 2015 |title=Flintshire County Council Election Results 1995–2012 |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Flintshire-1995-2012.pdf |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=Plymouth University}} On 31 May 1995, the incoming members of the council elected him as Leader of the Council.{{Cite web |date=30 May 1995 |title=Meeting documents: Flintshire County Council Tuesday, 30th May, 1995 |url=https://committeemeetings.flintshire.gov.uk/CeListDocuments.aspx?CommitteeId=143&MeetingId=713&DF=30%2F05%2F1995&Ver=2 |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=Flintshire County Council}} He formally took office as the first leader of the reconstituted council on its re-establishment in 1996, becoming leader of a Labour majority administration.{{Cite news |last=Tattum |first=George |date=1 March 1996 |title=Council tax charges set to rise by 20 per cent |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/926620975 |url-access=limited |access-date=6 February 2024 |work=Flint and Holywell Chronicle |page=17 |via=Newspapers.com |issue=11,965}}{{Cite news |last=Tattum |first=George |date=19 January 1996 |title='New dawn' fears |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/926618124 |url-access=limited |access-date=6 February 2024 |work=Flint and Holywell Chronicle |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com |issue=11,959}}

Middlehurst became Leader of Flintshire County Council on a background of government spending cuts for the county of Flintshire. This meant the council had to raise an extra £3 million in 1996 to provide services at the same standard as provided by its predecessors. To avoid cuts to education and social services, Middlehurst announced a 25% rise in council tax and the creation of a new advisory service for benefits and welfare rights in March.{{Cite news |last=Tattum |first=George |date=15 March 1996 |title=Flintshire's plans to improve welfare |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/926622031 |url-access=limited |access-date=6 February 2024 |work=Flint and Holywell Chronicle |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com |issue=11,967}} He chose to cut other services to balance the budget. The financial issues also threatened the future of Theatr Clwyd. As council leader, Middlehurst fought to prevent the theatre's closure.{{Cite news |last=Tattum |first=George |date=16 May 1997 |title=Lottery windfall joy at theatre |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/929199321 |url-access=limited |access-date=19 February 2024 |work=Flint and Holywell Chronicle |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com}} In May 1997, he persuaded Terry Hands to become its director and draw up a plan to secure its future, helping to successfully save the theatre.{{Cite news |last=Crump |first=Eryl |date=31 January 2015 |title=Terry Hands: Clwyd Theatr Cymru director on his 17 years at the helm |url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/terry-hands-clwyd-theatr-cymru-8549797 |access-date=19 February 2024 |work=North Wales Live}}{{Cite book |last=Graham |first=James |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EmV7AwAAQBAJ&pg=PP5 |title=A History of Falling Things |date=29 May 2014 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-4081-4637-8 |page=5 |access-date=6 February 2024}}{{Cite news |last=Isted |first=Gill |date=6 June 1997 |title=Theatre boss has vision for millennium |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/929201568 |url-access=limited |access-date=6 February 2024 |work=Flint and Holywell Chronicle |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}

In December 1996, Middlehurst said he was considering another rise in council tax, this time by 20%, and cutting spending by 8% to maintain services for 1997. However, the government blocked the council from implementing any more council tax increases in that year; as a result the decision was made to cut more services instead. By February 1997, spending on all services including education had been cut by 8%.{{Cite news |date=3 December 1996 |title=Flintshire warns of 20% tax rise |url=https://www.lgcplus.com/archive/flintshire-warns-of-20-tax-rise-03-12-1996/ |access-date=6 February 2024 |work=Local Government Chronicle}}{{Cite news |last=Tattum |first=George |date=14 February 1997 |title=County education cuts to go ahead |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/929363064 |url-access=limited |access-date=6 February 2024 |work=Flint and Holywell Chronicle |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}} In December 1997, Middlehurst announced that the government had allowed the council to implement more tax rises, meaning that services would not need to be cut in 1998 and 1999 like in the previous two years.{{Cite news |date=19 December 1997 |title=Council tax bills are set to rise |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/929299291 |url-access=limited |access-date=6 February 2024 |work=Flint and Holywell Chronicle |page=15 |via=Newspapers.com}} In May 1998, the Audit Commission published its report on the financial performance of local authorities in Wales. Flintshire was judged to have performed above average in most areas while also underperforming in other areas, particularly in the levels of funding for school pupils.{{Cite news |last=Tattum |first=George |date=1 May 1998 |title=Probe by spending watchdog shows area's mixed fortunes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/929301478 |url-access=limited |access-date=6 February 2024 |work=Flint and Holywell Chronicle |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}

On 4 December 1998, Middlehurst was shortlisted for Labour's prospective candidacy in the constituency of Alyn and Deeside in the first election to the soon-to-be established National Assembly for Wales. His candidacy was confirmed on 18 December. At the time, he refused to be drawn on his future as Leader of Flintshire County Council should he be elected to the National Assembly.{{Cite news |date=18 December 1998 |title=Candidates ready for Assembly |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/929292581 |url-access=limited |access-date=6 February 2024 |work=Flint and Holywell Chronicle |page=11 |via=Newspapers.com}}

File:Alyn and Deeside (Assembly constituency).svg for Alyn and Deeside (pictured above in red) in the National Assembly for Wales ]]

At the first election to the National Assembly for Wales on 6 May 1999, Middlehurst was elected as Assembly Member (AM) for Alyn and Deeside with 9,772 votes, or 51.35% of the popular vote in the constituency; he had a majority of 6,359 votes. The constituency had a voter turnout of 32%, the lowest in Wales; it had voted against establishing a devolved assembly in the 1997 devolution referendum by a wide margin. In an interview for the Flint and Holywell Chronicle on 14 May, Middlehurst said the low voter turnout showed that his constituents still did not see the new assembly as having any relevance. He said his role was now to prove to his constituents that the National Assembly and the decisions made in it were relevant to their everyday lives, and that to do this he had to work "diligently over a number of years" and explain "to people what we [assembly members] do and why we are doing it". He resigned as Leader of Flintshire County Council on the same day. The council's controlling Labour group elected Alex Aldridge to succeed him.{{Cite news |last=MacDonald |first=Neil |date=14 May 1999 |title=Aldridge is ready for leadership challenge |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/930608930 |url-access=limited |access-date=6 February 2024 |work=Flint and Holywell Chronicle |page=14 |via=Newspapers.com}}

At the election, Labour on a national level won the most seats in the assembly but fell short of securing an absolute majority. Labour leader Alun Michael mooted a potential coalition with the Liberal Democrats which would give his administration a majority in the assembly. Middlehurst spoke out against a coalition and declared his support for a Labour minority administration; he said coalitions "give too much power to small parties so I don't think we will let the tail wag the dog." In the event, Michael chose to dismiss a coalition and after being confirmed as First Secretary of Wales formed a Labour minority administration. The Labour group in the National Assembly organised itself into three factions, including a faction loyal to Michael, a faction of Welsh devolutionists and autonomists, and a third non-aligned faction which later became loyal to the devolutionist first secretary Rhodri Morgan following Michael's resignation in 2000; Middlehurst aligned himself with the third faction.{{Cite book |last=Osmond |first=John |url=https://www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/sites/constitution-unit/files/wafeb00.pdf |title=Devolution relaunched |date=March 2000 |publisher=Institute of Welsh Affairs |series=Monitoring the National Assembly, December 1999 – March 2000 |pages=6–7, 15 |access-date=7 February 2024}}

At the first plenary session of the National Assembly on 12 May 1999, First Secretary Alun Michael appointed Middlehurst to his cabinet as Assembly Secretary for Education and Training.{{OGL-attribution|{{Cite web |date=20 August 2000 |title=Members of the Cabinet |url=http://www.wales.gov.uk:80/cabinet/members/cabinetmembers_e.html |archive-url=https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20000820213734/http://www.wales.gov.uk:80/cabinet/members/cabinetmembers_e.html |archive-date=20 August 2000 |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=National Assembly for Wales |via=UK Government Web Archive}}}}{{Cite web |date=13 May 1999 |title=Record of Votes & Proceedings for Wednesday 12th May |url=https://senedd.wales/media/uideafgd/bus-chamber-38db77c6000a40e50000734e00000000-english.pdf |access-date=7 February 2024 |series=The National Assembly for Wales Business Papers |publisher=National Assembly for Wales |at=Part II - Section H}}{{OGL-attribution|{{Cite web |date=31 March 2000 |title=Annual Report 1999–2000: The Assembly Cabinet |url=http://www.wales.gov.uk/annualreport/cabinet/appendixb/index.htm |archive-url=https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20040722122137/http://www.wales.gov.uk/annualreport/cabinet/appendixb/index.htm |archive-date=22 July 2004 |access-date=6 February 2024 |website=National Assembly for Wales |via=UK Government Web Archive}}}} This made him the only member of the cabinet to represent a constituency in North Wales.{{Cite news |last=MacDonald |first=Neil |date=14 May 1999 |title=Middlehurst to make parliament 'relevant' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/930608933 |url-access=limited |access-date=6 February 2024 |work=Flint and Holywell Chronicle |page=15 |via=Newspapers.com}} He had a broad portfolio and was responsible for the following policy areas: post-16 education and training, including further and higher education as well as work place and vocational training; employment and the New Deal; arts and culture, including museums and libraries; sports and recreation; and the Welsh language.{{OGL-attribution|{{Cite web |date=13 June 2000 |title=Post 16 Education and Training |url=http://www.wales.gov.uk:80/newsite.dbs?37D6AD0F00074C1F0000123400000000+current+info |archive-url=https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20000613034848/http://www.wales.gov.uk:80/newsite.dbs?37D6AD0F00074C1F0000123400000000+current+info |archive-date=13 June 2000 |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=National Assembly for Wales |via=UK Government Web Archive}}}}{{OGL-attribution|{{Cite web |date=17 September 2000 |title=Cabinet Members: Tom Middlehurst AM (Labour - Alyn and Deeside) |url=http://www.wales.gov.uk:80/cabinet/members/tm_e.html |archive-url=https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20000917082818/http://www.wales.gov.uk:80/cabinet/members/tm_e.html |archive-date=17 September 2000 |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=National Assembly for Wales |via=UK Government Web Archive}}}} His appointment was criticised by Welsh language campaigners who pointed out that he could not speak or understand Welsh, although he had started to take lessons to learn the language.{{Cite news |date=15 May 1999 |title=Welsh farms chief is 'veggie' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/925148898 |url-access=limited |access-date=6 February 2024 |work=Western Daily Press |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}} Supporters of his appointment noted that Middlehurst was not opposed to the promotion of Welsh like other members of the assembly, and that four in five people in Wales at the time also could not speak the language.{{Cite book |last=Hannan |first=Patrick |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YRIXAQAAIAAJ |title=Wales Off Message: From Clapham Common to Cardiff Bay |publisher=Seren |year=2000 |isbn=978-1-85411-293-4 |pages=67–68 |access-date=6 February 2024}} As Assembly Secretary for Education and Training, Middlehurst was also a member of and accountable to the Post-16 Education and Training Committee, which scrutinised his portfolio and worked with him to draw up policy.{{OGL-attribution|{{Cite web |date=16 August 2000 |title=The Assembly Cabinet |url=http://www.wales.gov.uk:80/cabinet/cabinet_e.html |archive-url=https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20000816091219/http://www.wales.gov.uk:80/cabinet/cabinet_e.html |archive-date=16 August 2000 |access-date=8 February 2024 |website=National Assembly fot Wales |via=UK Government Web Archive}}}}{{Cite web |date=June 2000 |title=Post-16 Education and Training Committee: Report to the Assembly |url=https://senedd.wales/media/2gphvohs/bus-guide-3948f70a000d506c00001fe500000000-english.pdf |access-date=7 February 2024 |publisher=National Assembly for Wales}}{{Cite book |last1=Jones |first1=James Barry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CSYvDI9LzEYC&pg=PA64 |title=Inclusive Government and Party Management: The National Assembly for Wales and the Work of Its Committees |last2=Osmond |first2=John |publisher=Institute of Welsh Affairs |year=2001 |isbn=978-1-871726-69-5 |page=64 |access-date=7 February 2024}}

In addition to Middlehurst, the cabinet also had another education secretary in Rosemary Butler. Butler was appointed Assembly Secretary for Education and Childcare, a post which included responsibility for education to the age of 16.{{Cite book |last=Rawlings |first=Richard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zlshAQAAIAAJ |title=Delineating Wales: Constitutional, Legal and Administrative Aspects of National Devolution |publisher=University of Wales Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-7083-1739-6 |page=99 |access-date=6 February 2024}}{{Cite news |last=Baker |first=Mike |author-link=Mike Baker (journalist) |date=2 March 2001 |title=This ruptured isle |url=https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/ruptured-isle |access-date=6 February 2024 |work=TES Magazine}} Although intended to have separate responsibilities, it was soon discovered that part of Butler's education portfolio inadvertently extended into post-16 education policy, leaving her and Middlehurst with overlapping responsibilities for policies relating to qualifications and the curriculum.{{Cite book |last=Osmond |first=John |url=https://www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/sites/constitution-unit/files/wadec99.pdf |title=Devolution: 'A Dynamic, Settled Process'? |date=December 1999 |publisher=Institute of Welsh Affairs |isbn=978-1-8717-2651-0 |series=Monitoring the National Assembly, July 1999 – December 1999 |page=6 |access-date=6 February 2024}} Middlehurst's portfolio also overlapped with Rhodri Morgan's Economic Development portfolio in areas relating to employment and training and Peter Law's Environment and Local Government portfolio in areas relating to built heritage preservation. Middlehurst viewed these overlapping responsibilities as "an opportunity […] to consider major issues affecting Wales in a holistic rather than isolated way". In February 2000, official responsibility for youth services was also transferred from Butler's portfolio to Middlehurst's.

File:Steve Martin meets Rhodri Morgan and Tom Middlehurst.jpg (centre) and chief executive of the National Council for Education and Training Steve Martin (right) in August 2000]]

Middlehurst and Butler took office at a time of hostility in Wales toward the education policies introduced in England, and they avoided implementing any of the same policies which were being introduced there.{{Cite book |last=Osmond |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aEvHwq1Hgt0C&pg=PA98 |title=Time to Deliver: The Third Term and Beyond; Policy Options for Wales |publisher=Institute of Welsh Affairs |year=2006 |isbn=978-1-904773-18-4 |page=98 |language=en |access-date=10 February 2024}} Middlehurst and the Post-16 Education and Training Committee drew up reforms to reorganise the system of post-16 education and training in Wales.{{Cite news |date=24 November 1999 |title=Assembly finalises radical education proposals |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/534078.stm |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=BBC News}} The reforms included abolishing training and enterprise councils and the Further Education Funding Council and replacing them with a new National Council for Education and Training which would administer and fund education. Other reforms included transferring responsibility for local provision from local education authorities to new community consortiums, and encouraging colleges and schools to cooperate more.{{Cite news |date=4 February 2000 |title=Welsh transform post-16 education |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/welsh-transform-post-16-education/149984.article |url-access=registration |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=Times Higher Education}} Middlehurst said these reforms revolved around reducing competition between schools and colleges. The reforms were also presented as a way to improve standards in the system and make it more accessible. The reforms were controversial with teaching unions; there were fears that there would be cuts in sixth form funding to increase funding for further education, and leading trade unionists claimed that the new community consortiums would be more unreliant and costly. The unions also argued that local education authorities should continue to hold an important role in funding sixth forms. The reforms were endorsed by the National Assembly in February 2000 and made law in July 2000.{{Cite book |last=Osmond |first=John |url=https://www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/sites/constitution-unit/files/waaug00.pdf |title=Devolution looks ahead |date=September 2000 |publisher=Institute of Welsh Affairs |isbn=1-871726-63-8 |series=Monitoring the National Assembly, May – August 2000 |page=15 |access-date=10 February 2024}}

In November 1999, Middlehurst launched a trial programme for welfare benefits called ONE in Newport, Torfaen and Monmouthsire with Labour MP David Hanson. The programme entitled benefit claimants in these areas to personalised welfare support and advice.{{Cite news |date=29 November 1999 |title=Pilot for red tape welfare revolution |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/540683.stm |access-date=11 February 2024 |work=BBC News}} In the same month, he also announced a £58 million increase in funding for post-16 education and a £52 million increase in funding for the arts, culture and sport for 2000 and 2001. These increases in spending would pay for his policy{{Cite news |date=27 July 1999 |title=Museum admission for free |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/923541943 |url-access=limited |access-date=11 February 2024 |work=South Wales Echo |page=6 |via=Newspapers.com}} of introducing free entry for children to museums and galleries operated by the National Museum of Wales, a change which came into effect from April 2000.{{Cite news |date=25 November 1999 |title=Children set for free entry to museums |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/923532102 |url-access=limited |access-date=11 February 2024 |work=South Wales Echo |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite book |last=Osmond |first=John |url=https://www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/sites/constitution-unit/files/wamay00.pdf |title=Devolution in Transition |date=May 2000 |publisher=Institute of Welsh Affairs |isbn=978-1-8717-2658-9 |series=Monitoring the National Assembly, February – May 2000 |page=29 |access-date=11 February 2024}} The spending increases would also pay for new apprenticeships and contribute to new financial support for children from poorer backgrounds.

File:Millennium centre 4 (2990275796).jpg, pictured above in 2008]]

In September 1999, reports that the completion of the Wales Millennium Centre would be delayed by nine months to 2002 led to calls for Middlehurst to clarify the timetable for its opening.{{Cite news |date=23 September 1999 |title=Demand over delay |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/923540345 |url-access=limited |access-date=18 February 2024 |work=South Wales Echo |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}} In October, Middlehurst confirmed that the centre would not be opened until 2002 because of an unexpected delay in financial agreements and planning permissions which were required before the project could continue as planned.{{Cite news |date=12 October 1999 |title=Delay for showpiece |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/923551035 |url-access=limited |access-date=18 February 2024 |work=South Wales Echo |publisher=South Wales Echo |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}} A year later, the expected costs of the project were projected to increase from the original budget of £70.2 million to an estimated £85 million.{{Cite news |date=13 September 2000 |title=Wales Millennium Centre costs in spotlight |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/923549.stm |access-date=18 February 2024 |work=BBC News}} To keep government spending under control, Middlehurst intervened and enforced a £75 million cap on spending for the project. He also requested a review of the existing plans for the project.{{Cite news |date=29 September 2000 |title=Wales Millenium Centre site 'saved' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/945475.stm |access-date=18 February 2024 |work=BBC News}} Shortly after, the owner of the land on which the project was to be built put it up for sale, making the project's future uncertain. Middlehurst was consequently blamed in the press for the issues surrounding the project until his resignation in October 2000, even though Cardiff Council had made an offer to purchase the land to save the project in September.

In October 1999, the opposition parties in the National Assembly passed a censure motion against Christine Gwyther, the assembly secretary for agriculture and rural development, after she attempted to introduce a £750,000 calf processing support scheme which was found to be illegal under EU regulations.{{Cite journal |last1=Thomas |first1=Alys |last2=Laffin |first2=Martin |date=January 2001 |title=The First Welsh Constitutional Crisis: The Alun Michael Resignation |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/095207670101600102 |journal=Public Policy and Administration |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=18–31 |doi=10.1177/095207670101600102 |issn=0952-0767 |url-access=subscription |access-date=11 February 2024}} With the passage of the motion, the opposition parties expected Gwyther to resign. Gwyther refused to do so, and she secured the support of First Secretary Alun Michael and the cabinet to remain in her post.{{Cite news |last=Gibbs |first=Geoffrey |date=20 October 1999 |title=Welsh assembly censures agriculture secretary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/1999/oct/20/wales.devolution |access-date=11 February 2024 |work=The Guardian}} Over the next few months, the opposition parties worked together to oust Michael from the premiership over his failure to secure EU Objective One funding for South West Wales and the South Wales Valleys. In February 2000, the opposition leaders jointly tabled a motion of no confidence in his premiership; the motion was passed by 31 votes to 27 votes because of Labour's minority status in the assembly and Michael resigned as first secretary. His economic development secretary Rhodri Morgan was elected by the assembly to succeed him.

On the formation of Morgan's new administration in February 2000, Middlehurst remained in the cabinet as Assembly Secretary for Education and Training. Morgan decided against making any instant changes to the cabinet following Michael's resignation but did mention the possibility of changes later in the year, some of which he suggested could be the result of potential future deals with other parties.{{Cite news |date=22 February 2000 |title=Morgan reshuffles assembly pack |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/652237.stm |access-date=11 February 2024 |work=BBC News}} By July, he had sacked Christine Gwyther. This prompted speculation over the potential dismissals of Middlehurst and Rosemary Butler later in the year, as it was possible that Morgan would formally merge their education portfolios in the cabinet.{{Cite news |last=Gibbs |first=Geoffrey |date=25 July 2000 |title=Timing of sacking raises assembly questions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2000/jul/25/uk.wales |access-date=11 February 2024 |work=The Guardian}} Over the next few months, Morgan negotiated a coalition agreement with the Liberal Democrat leader Mike German. This would give his administration a working majority in the assembly.{{cite news |date=10 October 2000 |title=Welsh cabinet member resigns |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/welsh-cabinet-member-resigns-n3jmvbdppqj |access-date=20 April 2020 |work=The Times}}{{Cite news |last=Wintour |first=Patrick |date=6 October 2000 |title=Surprise Lib-Lab coalition in Wales |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2000/oct/06/uk.wales |access-date=11 February 2024 |work=The Guardian}} The deal was announced on 5 October and entitled the Liberal Democrats to two cabinet seats and several policy concessions including significant changes to education.{{Cite news |last=Hutchins |first=Lisa |date=13 October 2000 |title=Millions needed to fund wish-list |url=https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/millions-needed-fund-wish-list |access-date=11 February 2024 |work=TES Magazine}} Middlehurst later said he was concerned with these concessions.{{Cite news |date=10 October 2000 |title=Morgan defends need for coalition |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/964484.stm |access-date=11 February 2024 |work=BBC News}}

{{Quotebox

| quote = I have never envisaged an outcome where Liberals would sit in the Cabinet. That to me is too high a price to pay. Apart from this I have no regard for the Liberal Democrats and do not trust them as long-term allies. I cannot forget how they conspired with the Tories and the Nationalists to censure Christine Gwyther on wholly spurious grounds and then committed the ultimate act of treachery in aiding and abetting the downfall of Alun Michael.

| source = Excerpt from Middlehurst's resignation letter to Rhodri Morgan in October 2000.

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Middlehurst resigned from the cabinet in protest of the coalition agreement on 9 October.{{Cite news |last=Gray |first=Chris |date=10 October 2000 |title=Minister resigns from Welsh Cabinet over Lib-Lab pact |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/minister-resigns-from-welsh-cabinet-over-liblab-pact-634727.html |access-date=11 February 2024 |work=The Independent}} He said he did "not accept the need for the Labour administration to work with the fourth largest party in the assembly [the Liberal Democrats]". He explained that he found the coalition unacceptable, as he did not agree with "significant issues" in its new policy programme and disagreed with the idea of the Liberal Democrats having two cabinet seats; he said he had "never envisaged" them serving in the cabinet and said it was "too high a price to pay" for a majority. He also said he was unable to trust them as political allies after they had worked with the other opposition parties to censure Christine Gwyther and force Alun Michael's resignation, the latter of which he described as the "ultimate act of treachery".{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=George |date=11 October 2000 |title=Welsh chief quits over Labour pact |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1369882/Welsh-chief-quits-over-Labour-pact.html |access-date=11 February 2024 |work=The Daily Telegraph}} Middlehurst's resignation was generally perceived as a move made to avoid his widely anticipated dismissal from the cabinet, as the coalition agreement also included the merger of Middlehurst's education portfolio with Butler's.{{Cite book |last=Trench |first=Alan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cwZnOSgPr84C&pg=PA18 |title=The State of the Nations 2001: The Second Year of Devolution in the United Kingdom |publisher=Imprint Academic |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-907845-19-5 |page=18 |language=en |access-date=11 February 2024}}{{Cite book |last=Osmond |first=John |url=https://www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/sites/constitution-unit/files/wanov00.pdf |title=Coalition Politics Comes to Wales |date=December 2000 |publisher=Institute of Welsh Affairs |series=Monitoring the National Assembly, September – December 2000 |pages=9, 64, 74 |access-date=11 February 2024}} Butler was indeed sacked not long after, with Jane Davidson appointed to manage a now combined education portfolio as Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning.{{Cite news |date=20 October 1999 |title=Butler is axed in reshuffle |url=https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/butler-axed-reshuffle |access-date=11 February 2024 |work=TES Magazine}}

In December 2001, Middlehurst announced that he would retire at the next assembly election in 2003.{{Cite news |date=7 December 2001 |title=Fourth AM to stand down at election |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A80625845/GPS |url-access=subscription |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=Western Mail |page=2 |via=GALE Power Search}} He said he had grown disillusioned with the politics of the assembly since his resignation from the cabinet, stating: "I don't like the politics of this place". He criticised the opposition parties in the assembly for forcing Alun Michael's resignation and said they had harmed the assembly's reputation with the Welsh public, calling their behaviour in the assembly "an absolute disgrace". He also reaffirmed his disapproval of Labour's coalition with the Liberal Democrats, stating that it had given the latter "influence and power disproportionate to their number".{{Cite news |date=7 December 2001 |title=I don't like the politics of this place; AM's parting shot as he quits Assembly |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A80623311/GPS |url-access=subscription |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=Daily Post |page=8 |via=GALE Power Search}} He said this was the result of the assembly's "failed" proportionally representative electoral system, which he claimed to have opposed, and added that his experience in the assembly had justified his support for the first-past-the-post electoral system. Other stated reasons for his retirement included the "demanding" journey from his constituency to the location of the assembly in Cardiff and personal issues relating to his family. For the remainder of his term, Middlehurst said he would continue to support Rhodri Morgan as first secretary and remain "committed to devolution".

As intended, Middlehurst retired from the National Assembly at the 2003 assembly election. He was succeeded as AM for Alyn and Deeside by Carl Sargeant of the Labour Party.{{Cite news |year=2003 |title=Welsh assembly election constituency: Alyn & Deeside |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/vote2003/welsh_assembly/html/10.stm |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=BBC News}} He has provided political commentary since his retirement. After Labour fell short of a majority in the 2007 assembly election, Middlehurst opined that it was likely that Labour would seek another coalition agreement with the Liberal Democrats. Less likely, in his opinion, was an informal deal with Plaid Cymru.{{Cite news |date=8 May 2007 |title=Morgan given 'mandate for talks' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6631613.stm |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=BBC News}} Labour went on to form a coalition government with Plaid Cymru which lasted until 2011.{{Cite news |date=7 July 2007 |title=Labour-Plaid coalition is sealed |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6278848.stm |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=BBC News}}{{Cite book |last=Garnett |first=Mark |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2urkDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT273 |title=The Routledge Handbook of British Politics and Society |date=13 May 2020 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-19461-3 |page=273 |access-date=18 February 2024}} In a letter to WalesOnline following the 2009 Welsh Labour leadership election, Middlehurst voiced his opposition to a proposed minister for North Wales. He advised the new party leader Carwyn Jones against acting on this proposal, as he believed introducing such a role would be a "token gesture that could prove extremely divisive" and "exacerbate the perceived divide" between the North and the perceivingly South-dominated National Assembly.{{Cite news |last=Middlehurst |first=Tom |date=9 December 2009 |title=Letter: A First Minister for the whole of Wales |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/wednesday-9-december-2009-2064244 |access-date=12 March 2024 |work=WalesOnline}} In 2011, he expressed concern over the Welsh Government's policy to appoint unelected commissioners to intervene in troubled local authorities and administer them, stating that these commissioners had no democratic legitimacy.{{Cite news |date=2 September 2011 |title=Democracy fears over commissioners at Welsh councils |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-14753722 |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=BBC News}}

Middlehurst married Patricia Mary on 11 April 1986. He has two children from a previous marriage. He is a supporter of Everton Football Club and enjoys rugby league, theatre and crown green bowling. He has served as the chairman of the Welsh Crown Green Bowling Association following his retirement from politics.{{Cite news |date=7 September 2009 |title=Former bowls chief executive dies |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_east/8242911.stm |access-date=10 February 2024 |work=BBC News}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.wales.gov.uk:80/who/members_biog8_e.htm#tom_middlehurst Biography] at the National Assembly for Wales ([https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20020208184600/http://www.wales.gov.uk:80/who/members_biog8_e.htm#tom_middlehurst archived] 8 February 2002 at the UK Government Web Archive)
• [https://www.theyworkforyou.com/ms/26228/tom_middlehurst Assembly record] at TheyWorkForYou

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{{succession box

| title = Assembly Member for Alyn and Deeside

| years = 1999 – 2003

| before = (new post)

| after = Carl Sargeant

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{{succession box

| title = Assembly Secretary for Education and Training

| years = 1999–2000

| before = (new post)

| after = Jane Davidson

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Category:Living people

Category:Councillors in Wales

Category:Wales AMs 1999–2003

Category:Welsh Labour members of the Senedd

Category:Members of the Welsh Government

Category:Alumni of Liverpool John Moores University

Category:1936 births

Category:People from Ormskirk