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First Rhodri Morgan government

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This article is about the first government of former First Minister of Wales Rhodri Morgan. For the first government of incumbent first minister Eluned Morgan, see Eluned Morgan government.
First Morgan government

3rd devolved administration of Wales
2000–2003
Date formed16 October 2000
Date dissolved1 May 2003
People and organisations
MonarchElizabeth II
First MinisterRhodri Morgan
Deputy First MinisterMichael German (2000-2001), (2002-2003) Acting Deputy First Minister: Jenny Randerson (2002-2003)
Member parties
  •   Labour
  •   Liberal Democrats
Status in legislatureMajority (coalition)
34 / 60 (57%)




Opposition party
Opposition leaderIeuan Wyn Jones
History
Outgoing election2003 general election
Legislature term1st National Assembly for Wales
PredecessorInterim Rhodri Morgan administration
SuccessorSecond Rhodri Morgan government

The first Rhodri Morgan government was a government of Wales formed on 16 October 2000[1] by Rhodri Morgan and was a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats, it was officially referred to as the 'Coalition Partnership' . It was preceded by the Interim Morgan administration, a Labour minority administration headed by Rhodri Morgan between February and October 2000.

This was the first devolved government of Wales to use the term "Welsh Assembly Government" rather than "Assembly Administration" to describe itself.[2] It was also the first to use the term "minister" rather than "secretary" when referring to members of the government; the position of First Secretary was retitled First Minister while the title of Assembly Secretary (or simply Secretary) was replaced with Minister.[3]

Background

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Rhodri Morgan became First Secretary of Wales on 15 February 2000,[4] between February and October 2000 and headed up a minority government with 28 of the Assembly's 60 seats. The unstable nature of the then minority government was of concern and was always viewed as temporary and Labour had mooted looking for a coalition partner following their persevered poor showing in the 1999 election.[5]

Developments quickly occurred during the autumn of 2000 culminating in Tom Middlehurst resigning as Secretary for post-16 education on 9 October claiming he could not “contemplate sitting down at the Cabinet table with the Liberal Democrats”.[6]

The six Liberal Democrat seats was an attractive offer to Labour and following a special conference by both parties a coalition was agreed upon.

A new coalition government (officially referred to as the Coalition Partnership) was officially announced on 5 October 2000 with policy details emerging the day later. Cabinet Ministers were then appointed on 16 October and Deputies on 17 October. That government lasted until the 2003 election.

Cabinet

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Office Portrait Name Term Party
First Minister Rhodri Morgan 2000–2003 Labour
Deputy First Minister

Minister for Economic Development

Michael German 2000–2003 Liberal Democrats
Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Carwyn Jones 2000–2003 Labour
Minister for Assembly Business Andrew Davies 2000–2003 Labour
Minister for Culture Jenny Randerson 2000–2003 Liberal Democrats
Minister for Education Jane Davidson 2000–2003 Labour
Minister for Environment, Transport and Planning Sue Essex 2000–2003 Labour
Minister for Finance and Local Government Edwina Hart 2000–2003 Labour
Minister for Health & Social Care Jane Hutt 2000–2003 Labour
Office holders given special provisions to attend Cabinet
Chief Whip Karen Sinclair 2000–2003 Labour

Changes:

  • Andrew Davies, Minister for Economic Development and Transport from 2002.
  • Carwyn Jones, Minister for Assembly Business from 2002-03 in addition to the agriculture portfolio.
  • Jenny Randerson, Acting Deputy First Minister from July 2001 to June 2002 in addition to the culture portfolio.
  • Michael German, Deputy First Minister and Minister for Rural Affairs and Wales Abroad June 2002 to May 2003.

Junior ministers

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Deputy Ministers prior to the enactment of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (enactment and legal separation takes place on appointment of the First Minister, post-May 2007) are not officially part of the Government, and not in Cabinet. From May 2007, Deputy Welsh Ministers are part of the Welsh Assembly Government, but not in Cabinet.

Office Portrait Name Term Party
Deputy Minister for Economic Development Alun Pugh 2000–2003 Labour
Deputy Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning Huw Lewis 2000–2003 Labour
Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services Brian Gibbons 2000–2003 Labour
Deputy Minister for Local Government Peter Black 2000–2003 Liberal Democrats
Deputy Minister for Rural Affairs, Culture and the Environment Delyth Evans 2000–2003 Labour

References

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  1. ^ Wintour, Patrick (6 October 2000). "Surprise Lib-Lab coalition in Wales". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  2. ^ Hazell, Robert (1 December 2015). The State of the Nations 2003: The Third Year of Devolution in the United Kingdom. Andrews UK Limited. ISBN 978-1-84540-817-6.
  3. ^ Connolly, Michael; Prosser, Stephen; Hough, Rod; Potter, Kathryn (2 November 2015). Making it Happen in Public Service: Devolution in Wales as a Case Study. Andrews UK Limited. ISBN 978-1-84540-478-9.
  4. ^ "The National Assembly for Wales (The Official Record)" (PDF). Senedd. Senedd Cymru. p. 3. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  5. ^ "Labour seeking Welsh partner". BBC Wales. 7 May 1999. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  6. ^ "Welsh cabinet member resigns". The Times. 10 October 2000. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
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