I recently sat down to speak with my alma mater, University of Wales Lampeter (now Trinity St David) to speak about my upbringing, struggle with dyslexia, university days, and career as a teacher and trade unionist before becoming an MP.
This interview was published Tuesday, 1 April 2025 on the University of Wales Trinity St David website, and can be found here.
From rural Wales to Westminster
If you’d told a young Steve Witherden that one day he’d be standing in the halls of Westminster as the Member of Parliament for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, he might not have believed you. Severely dyslexic as a child, he couldn’t read until he was 11. Yet today, he stands as a passionate advocate for his constituents, carrying with him the lessons of resilience, education, and perseverance that shaped his journey.
Eager to share his experiences with his alma mater, he spoke to the University about the obstacles he overcame, the people who supported him, and how those experiences shaped his determination to stand up for others.
Finding his place in Lampeter
Born and raised in Llangollen, Steve’s road to university wasn’t straightforward. “I couldn’t read until I was 11,” he said. “I had to go to a special unit to learn. So, when I decided to go to university to study English Literature, people found that very strange. It was inspiring teachers like Mrs Blake in secondary school who opened up that world for me and awakened my love of English literature.”
When it came time to choose a university, he was drawn to the University of Wales, Lampeter – now UWTSD – for its rural setting, his desire to stay in Wales, and the reputation of the English Literature department.
“It was during my interview, when I had the opportunity to discuss my dyslexia in detail, that I knew it was the right place,” he explained. “It was sadly very common in the 90s for learning disabilities to be dismissed. At Lampeter, I was listened to and told I would be supported throughout my studies. That level of acceptance and reassurance was important.”
Steve flourished at Lampeter, enjoying the close-knit community of the campus and town. The university’s small size was a major advantage, making it easier to access support services and form strong relationships with both staff and fellow students. “I wasn’t just a number in a giant lecture hall – everything felt more personal,” he said.
Outside his studies, he played football and rugby and worked at the university leisure centre, further embedding himself in the community.
A passion for advocacy
The journey from graduation to Parliament wasn’t immediate or straightforward. After completing his English Literature degree, Steve decided to become a teacher but faced another hurdle – passing a GCSE maths equivalency test to pursue his PGCE. “I failed it the first time,” he said. “I spent a year working in a printing factory, doing night shifts and evening classes at college to improve my maths skills.”
His determination paid off, and after qualifying as a teacher, his passion for advocacy truly took shape. He found fulfilment in motivating and supporting students who faced challenges similar to his own, while also discovering a natural affinity for trade unionism.
“I joined the NASUWT teachers’ union in 2005, and over time, I got more involved,” he said. “By 2009, I was the school rep. Then I became the negotiating secretary for Wrexham, working with all five teaching unions and the council. That was when I really started seeing how I could make a difference.”
Stepping into politics
It was a natural step when the opportunity arose to stand as Labour’s candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr in 2024. “It felt like the right time,” he explained. “I had years of experience fighting for people’s rights in education, and I knew I could take that experience and apply it to a wider audience.”
The transition was not without its challenges. While Steve was no stranger to advocacy, moving from representing teachers to representing an entire constituency was a new experience. “It was intense, but also incredibly rewarding,” he said. “Knocking on doors, speaking to voters, and hearing their concerns firsthand reinforced why I wanted to be in politics in the first place.”
Steve’s message of fairness, opportunity, and better representation resonated with voters, and he was successfully elected, though the first weeks in his new role proved especially challenging following the death of his mother just the day after Parliament opened. “Grieving while trying to set up an office and learn the ropes was overwhelming,” he said. “She had always been my biggest supporter, and in those first difficult weeks, I held onto her words – never give up.”
Keeping his roots in Westminster
Now in Westminster, Steve draws on his background in education and his deep ties to rural Wales to champion issues that matter to his constituents. One of his key priorities is improving transport infrastructure in mid-Wales – a challenge he understands firsthand, having experienced the difficulties of rural connectivity as a student in Lampeter.
Despite the grandeur of Parliament, Steve remains firmly connected to his roots. “Someone told me, ‘This place is built to make you feel small,’ and they were right,” he said. “But at the end of the day, my wife, my kids, my friends – they all keep me in check. They tease me, remind me that I’m still just Steve from Llangollen.”
For Steve Witherden, politics isn’t about power – it’s about people. It’s about standing up for those who’ve been overlooked and ensuring that no child grows up thinking they’re not good enough. “My advice to any young person is to never give up,” he said. “Keep pushing. Believe in yourself, even when others don’t. I was lucky – I had my mum cheering me on. Now, I want to be that voice for others.”