Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has led tributes to Welsh Labour politician Hefin David, who has died suddenly, aged 47.

Mr David had been Member of the Senedd (MS) for Caerphilly since 2016.

Labour leader Sir Keir called him a “powerful voice for the people of Wales” who “dedicated his life to making sure every person and community in Wales had the opportunities and support they deserve”.

Gwent Police said a 47-year-old man was found unresponsive at a property in Nelson, Caerphilly county, on Tuesday evening, and the death was not being treated as suspicious.

First Minister and Welsh Labour leader Eluned Morgan called Mr David an “outstanding politician” who would be “greatly missed”.

The father of two girls, his partner was Cynon Valley MS Vikki Howells, the minister for further and higher education in the Welsh Labour government.

It would have been his 48th birthday today.

Sir Keir said: “The entire Labour movement will join me in grieving the loss of Hefin David.

“He was a powerful voice for the people of Wales and a committed public servant, who dedicated his life to making sure every person and community in Wales had the opportunities and support they deserve.

“As Member of the Senedd for Caerphilly, where he was born and lived, he was incredibly proud of his community.

“Our hearts are with his family and those who knew and loved him at this painful time. May he rest in peace.”

The first minister said: “We are extremely saddened by the sudden death of Hefin. Our thoughts are with his family at this terrible time.

“Hefin was a much-loved member of the Labour family. He served Caerphilly as a councillor and a Member of the Senedd with pride and passion.

“He was an outstanding politician, warm and enthusiastic and a great communicator – especially on behalf of his constituents.

“He will be greatly missed.”

Gwent Police Chief Constable Mark Hobrough said his “thoughts and heartfelt condolences” are with Mr David’s family, friends and colleagues.

“After I joined Gwent Police as the chief superintendent for the area covering Caerphilly, I worked closely with Hefin on many occasions and I found him to be an engaging and thoughtful individual,” he said.

“A dedicated public servant to Caerphilly, his commitment to our communities will be a significant loss.”

Elected to Cardiff Bay in 2016, Mr David was one of the more prominent Labour backbench members and was never afraid to go against the party line.

Popular with politicians from across the political divide and journalists in Cardiff Bay, he made regular, lively contributions to Senedd debates, and was once reprimanded for calling Plaid Cymru councillors in his constituency as “mad as a box of frogs”.

He was also one of five Senedd commissioners, responsible for the day-to-day running of the institution.

The Welsh Parliament’s presiding officer, or speaker, Elin Jones, said the whole Senedd was “devastated by the tragic news of Hefin’s death”.

“Our thoughts go immediately to his partner, our colleague and friend, Vikki Howells MS and to his cherished children and family,” she said.

“Hefin was so full of life and enthusiasm for his constituents and their causes.

“He was a passionate politician, loyal to his party, his country, and constituents.”

Before becoming a full-time politician, Mr David lectured at Cardiff Metropolitan University, teaching human resource management to undergraduates and postgraduates.

He was also a Caerphilly councillor for a decade.

Former first minister Vaughan Gething described him as “funny and intelligent with a passion for social justice and his community” but added “much more importantly he was my friend”.

“It was a pleasure to sit next to him in the Senedd but also to share time together outside politics. He will be hugely missed by so many of us.”

Darren Millar, leader of the Welsh Conservative group in Cardiff Bay, said he was “very sad to hear the shocking news of Hefin David’s death”.

“My deepest condolences go to Hefin’s family and friends, and I would also like to extend my condolences to the Welsh Labour Party,” he said.

“He was a man who always stood up for his constituents and was respected on all sides of the Senedd.”

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said he was “deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Hefin David”, saying he had “represented his constituency with tireless dedication”.

“He brought passion, energy, and independence of thought to Senedd proceedings and our parliament will be poorer without him,” he said.

“On behalf of Plaid Cymru I send our profound condolences to Hefin’s family and friends at this desperately sad time.”

Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds said “all of us at the Welsh Liberal Democrats are saddened to hear about the death of Hefin David”.

She said her party was “thinking of his loved ones”, especially his partner Vikki Howells “and his children, his staff members and his community in Caerphilly”.

South Wales East MS Laura Anne Jones, who defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK last month, called Mr David a “genuinely lovely person”.

“Regardless of political differences, we got on well,” she said.

“He always had time for a kind word, a smile or a funny anecdote.”

She said he cared “greatly for his constituents” and “fought hard for what he believed in”, adding that he would be “missed greatly, politically and personally, in the Senedd”.