Key interests and achievements
“In the Senedd my main
interests are the wellbeing of future generations in light of the climate
emergency, the public health emergency exacerbated by our unhealthy diets, and
the air pollution poisoning our lungs. It is my ambition to ensure that
Government and all public services deliver on sustainable food, housing,
transport and energy systems as clearly set out in the Well-Being of Future
Generations Act (2015).”
Personal history
Jenny Rathbone was born in
Liverpool and has two children and two grandchildren. She lives at the heart of
the Cardiff Central constituency, most of which is accessible by bike. Jenny
believes that good things can happen when communities work together and will
work with anyone who wants to address the inequalities that are all too evident
in every community.
Professional background
Jenny worked for 20 years in
current affairs television, as a researcher and reporter for Granada’s World in
Action; producer of the BBC’s Money Programme, and on R4’s Woman’s Hour. From
2002 to 2007, Jenny was programme manager of an award-winning Sure Start
programme in north London and set up two children’s centres, including a national
pathfinder ante natal service offering parenting classes and breastfeeding
support working alongside midwife-led clinics. Jenny has considerable
experience of working with doctors, nurses and allied health professionals as
chair of Independent Review Panels for the NHS in London (1996 2003); improving
primary care as the lay representative on the Professional Executive Committee
of Islington Primary Care Trust (2002-2006), chairing the Camden &
Islington Health Action Zone partnership as lead councillor for health on
Islington Council (1998-2002)., and as a member of the Camden & Islington
Maternity Liaison Committee for nearly 20 years. Jenny was a lay inspector for
Estyn 2009-2011.
Political history
Jenny Rathbone was elected to
the National Assembly in May 2011 after defeating the Liberal Democrats in the
Cardiff Central seat. In May 2016, she increased her majority by over 2,000 per
cent. Jenny says "it’s vital that every child gets a fair start in life.
That is why I have been a school governor for the over 20 years. Decent, warm
housing is everyone’s right. I’ve always worked with tenants’ associations and
community organisations to tackle the housing problems, drugs and crime which
impact on all our lives. I’m a passionate supporter of the NHS created by Aneurin Bevan as Health and Housing
Minister after the second world war. I am a member of Unite and a strong
supporter of the social partnership approach to involving trade unions in the
management of the workplace. I am a proud Patron of Hayaat Woman's Trust and a
trustee of Good Food Llanedeyrn.”
Jenny sits on the Climate
Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee and the Public Accounts
Committee and has previously served on the Children and Young People’s
Committee and the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee. Jenny
chairs three Cross Party Groups on Food; Gypsies and Travellers; and Women’s Health.
