Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds Stated:
I am devastated to hear of the passing of Aled. Aled was a committed liberal and was known for his extraordinary hard work as both an Assembly Member for North Wales and as a senior councillor on Wrexham Borough Council. This news is a deep blow to the Welsh Liberal Democrat family and my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time.
Throughout his time as an Assembly Member Aled continued to put standing up for his communities at the very heart of everything he did. Just one example was his tireless and successful campaign for Llay to have solar panels installed on all homes within the estate.
In his role as Shadow Minister for Children, Education and the Welsh language, he fought tooth and nail for investment in our young people, not least for the Welsh Government to maintain the Pupil Deprivation Grant. He is also well remembered for only ever making his contributions in the Siambr in Welsh.
As a councillor, Aled was a role model community servant and represented the Ponciau Ward from 1991-2012 and served as Mayor of Wrexham in 2003-04. He was elected Leader of Wrexham County Borough Council in March 2005.
Outside of politics, Aled also had a distinguished career as local solicitor and in 1985 he was part of a campaign to protect a local Miners’ institute from closure. He also was the Chair of Governors for many years at Ysgol Gymraeg I D Hooson and a Governor at Ysgol Maes y Mynydd, Rhosllanerchrugog. He was also a committed Christian.
Aled will be most remembered for his dedication to the Welsh language. A tireless advocate of the protection and promotion of Welsh, he excelled in his role as the Welsh Language Commissioner and sought to promote the language in all aspects of life, including in his role as an Assembly Member.
Aled’s passing will leave a deep hole in Welsh political life and in our Party, he was someone who knew everyone and left a positive impression on all those he knew. We will miss him greatly.
The Welsh Young Liberals released this statement;
Our statement on the sad news of the passing of Aled Roberts – Ein datganiad ar farwolaeth trist Aled Roberts. pic.twitter.com/y4iaQiapTw
— Welsh Young Liberals – Rhyddfrydwyr Ifanc Cymru (@Welsh_YL) February 14, 2022
Former Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Kirsty Williams said:
So very sad at the passing of Aled Roberts. A superb colleague. Smart, compassionate and effective. He was great company, always ready with a story, usually about characters in his beloved Rhos. Condolences to Llinos and family.
whilst former Assembly Member and Colleague William Powell added:
I’m numbed to hear this terrible news. Aled was a kind, thoughtful team builder and wise counsellor. His commitment to Wales, the Welsh Language and his Chapel was second to none. A true Welsh Liberal, a genuine patriot and a loyal friend.
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One Comment
When Aled returned from Aberystwyth University to his home village of Rhosllanerchrugog in 1983, we set up Clwyd Young Liberals. Rhos was a former mining village where the Welsh language and Welsh Non-conformist tradition were still strong but which had been represented by Labour councillors for decades. Aled’s family were very much part of the community. His Nain (grandmother) was one of the last people who used to wrap table legs with newspaper, much to Aled’s embarrassment. After several attempts we eventually got Aled elected to the then Wrexham Borough Council in 1991. During that campaign many people remembered that the last Liberal MP for Wrexham had also been called Aled Roberts over 50 years before.