Tribute to Baroness Randerson – by Simon Hughes
Baroness Randerson of Roath Park: 26 May 1948 – 4 January 2025 | Image courtesy of UK Parliament
4 min read
A minister in both the Welsh government and later in the Coalition government in the Lords, Jenny Randerson was a force of nature. Courteous, determined and kind, she was the very best of public servants
Jenny Randerson, “a titan of Welsh politics”, “force of nature” but a “true people-person” was the very best of public servants, hugely loved and widely admired. Jenny’s sudden death aged 76 is a shock and huge sadness to Peter, her husband of 54 years, children James and Eleri, three grandchildren, wider family and countless others. These include many friends in the Liberal Democrats, other parties and none, and other places beyond politics and the boundaries of Wales where this London-born Englishwoman for 50 years made her home, worked and left her legacy.
After a history degree from Bedford College, University of London, Jenny taught first in Spalding while her new husband worked nearby as an ecologist, later an environmental passion passed on to their son. When the Randersons moved to Cardiff Jenny first taught in Llanishen, then lectured in economics and politics at Coleg Glan Hafren.
In 1983 Jenny also started a political career. As one of the first three Cardiff City Liberal councillors and later opposition leader, Jenny was responsible for growing the Liberal presence in the capital to 35 councillors (out of 75), leadership of the city from 2004-2012 – and ploughed the furrow for Jenny Willott to be Cardiff Central’s MP from 2005-2015. I was a regular witness to tireless Randerson campaigning, organisational dedication and leadership of teams of Cardiff canvassers and deliverers in every form of weather.
Elected as an AM in 1999 for Cardiff Central, Jenny was one of the ‘history girls’ in the first Welsh Assembly (later known as the Senedd). Within 18 months she was minister for culture, sport and the Welsh language and then acting deputy first minister for a year too, the first female Lib Dem minister in the UK. These were probably Jenny’s glory days – introducing ‘Creative Future’, Wales’ cultural strategy; Iaith Pawb (“Everyone’s Language”) – the transformative policy for promulgating Welsh; deciding to build the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay (our Celtic match for Sydney Opera House) and above all introducing free access to museums across Wales; in her words to allow everyone to enjoy Wales’ “rich heritage of arts, science and social and industrial heritage”. (England followed.)
Jenny inspired others in public service for 40 years
Following her peerage in 2011, Jenny led for Wales from a new base – as Wales Office minister in the UK Coalition government – one of only two colleagues to have served (so far!) in coalition governments with both Labour and Conservatives. And then, in opposition, nine effective years as Lords transport spokesperson followed. On the last day before Christmas recess Jenny secured a positive ministerial commitment to take up proposals in the Lithium-ion Battery Safety Bill. Just hours before her death she was preparing for the second reading of Bus Services (No 2) Bill on Wednesday, 8 January.
Jenny served as a Justice of the Peace from 1982 to 1999 and was also especially proud of her involvement with many charities, Cardiff Metropolitan University, and Cardiff University, of which she was an active chancellor until her death.
Jenny inspired others in public service, particularly women and the young, for 40 years. Modest, unpretentious but always with great hard work, commitment, determination, principle and warmth, Jenny’s liberalism never wavered but always sought collaboration with all who shared her goals. Many tributes express huge gratitude for her encouragement, mentoring and support.
Jenny was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, friend and colleague. She showed that collaboration and courtesy combined with determination, intelligence and vision can secure huge change for the better. So many of us are so sad that we will never be able to enjoy Jenny’s friendship, kindness and wisdom again. But with great fondness we are so thankful.
Roedd neb fel yr chi.
Simon Hughes is former Liberal Democrat MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark
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