David Rees

David Rees is a Welsh Labour politician who served as the Deputy Presiding Officer of the Senedd from 2021 until 2026. He served as the Member of the Senedd (MS) for Aberavon from 2011 until 2026.

Early life

David studied at Cardiff University, where he obtained an honours degree in Engineering and a postgraduate teaching qualification. He then began a career in education, working at Cynffig Comprehensive School in Kenfig Hill, and then at Afan College. He then moved into a career in Higher Education, eventually becoming Assistant Dean of Faculty at Swansea Metropolitan University. While working in Higher education he also obtained a Master's degree. and in the 2007 election for the South Wales West region, where Labour earned no regional top-up seats, meaning he was not elected.

He is a member of both Unite and Unison trade unions. Throughout his working life he has been a strong advocate for good working relationships with the trade unions and regularly raises trade union issues in the Senedd.

Rees is currently chair of the Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister, the Llywydd's Committee and the Reform Bill committee. He has previously chaired the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee and the Health and Social Care Committee.

In the 2026 Senedd election, he stood for Afan Ogwr Rhondda constituency but was not elected. He was third on the party list behind Huw Irranca-Davies and Buffy Williams.