JANE HUTT
THE VALE LIFE INTERVIEW

Where were you born?
I was born in Epsom and grew up in both England and Africa.

Where did you go to school?
England and Eldoret, Kenya.

What jobs did you do when you left school?
I was a community worker.

Where do you live now?
Barry.

What made you go into politics?
A passion for social justice.

Describe your ideal job apart from the one you’re in.
A general practitioner (GP). What motivates you? Making a contribution to our society and showing that devolution can work.

Who do you most respect and why?
My mother, for her compassion, resilience and commitment to family.

What are the most important qualities for a politician?
Integrity and courage.

At what age did you realise you wanted to be a politician?
Thirty one.

Is there one achievement in your career that you are most proud of?
Securing the UK’s first Children’s Commissioner with children and young people on the interviewing panel.

How do you relax?
I listen to music.

What’s your favourite food?
Roast Welsh Lamb from my friend’s flock in Mountain Ash.

Who would be your ideal dinner companion?
Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury.

What is your favourite wine and where would you prefer to drink it? Sancerre in my garden in Barry. The view overlooking Barry Harbour lifts my spirits.

What do you like about the Vale?
Barry Harbour and the Heritage Coast.

What one thing do you not leave home without?
My pass to the Assembly.

If you could go back, would you do it all again?
Yes.

Is there anything about your life you would like to change?
No.

Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Have the courage of your convictions and don’t worry about tomorrow.

What advice would you give to people who want to succeed in
politics profession?
Know why you want to go into politics and don’t get pompous or too big for your boots.

When do you plan to retire?
When I run out of steam and then I’ll spend more time with my husband.

Is there anything you would like us to highlight in Vale Life?
The importance of the re-generation of Barry as part of the wider prosperity and beauty of the Vale of Glamorgan.



In February I went to Uganda with my husband and sister in memory of my father, Professor Michael Hutt who played a leadin role in medical research at Makerere University in the 1960’s in Kampala, where we lived for 8 years. An international Medical Conference on Burkitt’s Lymphoma drew many forma colleagues and family friends back to Kampala and we joined them for a few days.



I was also able to visit Mbale in Eastern Uganda to make contact with the schools linked to the PONT project in Rhondda Cynon Taf, in my role as Education Minister, to strengthen the partnership as part of the ‘Wales for Africa’ programme. We were greeted with the words “Thank you for re-investing in us what we invested in you.”



This visit has had a profound impact on my outlook and vision for the place of Wales in the world and the contribution we can make as well as the lessons we can learn from the courage of the people of Uganda.