Second Rhodri Morgan government explained

Cabinet Name:Second Morgan government
Cabinet Number:4th
Cabinet Type:devolved administration
Jurisdiction:Wales
Flag:Flag of Wales 2.svg
Flag Border:true
Incumbent:2003-2007
Date Formed:1 May 2003
Date Dissolved:26 May 2007
Government Head Title:First Minister
Government Head:Rhodri Morgan
State Head Title:Monarch
State Head:Elizabeth II
Opposition Leader:Ieuan Wyn Jones
Election:2003 general election
Last Election:2007 general election
Legislature Term:2nd National Assembly for Wales
Previous:First Rhodri Morgan government
Successor:Third Rhodri Morgan government

The second Rhodri Morgan government (2003–2007) was a Labour government in Wales.

Having won 30 out of the 60 seats available in the 2003 general election and with the non-voting Presiding Officer and Deputy both coming from the opposition,[1] the Labour party were able to form a majority government with 30 seats to the opposition's 28[2] with Rhodri Morgan continuing as First Minister.

This majority continued until Peter Law left Labour in 2005 to sit as an independent on the opposition benches, giving the government 29 and the opposition (excluding the Presiding Officer and Deputy) 29.

Two members of the National Assembly were elected to the UK Parliament at the 2005 UK general election (David Davies and Peter Law) reducing the collective strength of the opposition for day-to-day business. The final budget of this Assembly term passed following an agreement with Plaid during which their 11 voting members abstained.[3]

Cabinet

Office PortraitName Term Party
First MinisterRhodri Morgan2003–2005Labour
Minister for Assembly Business Chief WhipKaren Sinclair2003–2005Labour
Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and SportAlun Pugh2003–2005Labour
Minister for Economic Development and TransportAndrew Davies2003–2005Labour
Minister for EducationJane Davidson2003–2005Labour
Minister for Environment and Rural AffairsCarwyn Jones2003–2005Labour
Minister for Finance and Local GovernmentSue Essex2003–2005Labour
Minister for Health & Social CareJane Hutt2003–2005Labour
Minister for Social Justice and RegenerationEdwina Hart2003–2005Labour

Junior ministers

Office PortraitName Term Party
Deputy Minister for Economic Development and TransportDr. Brian Gibbons2007Labour
Deputy Minister for Health and Social CareJohn Griffiths2007Labour
Deputy Minister for Social Justice and RegenerationHuw Lewis2007Labour

September 2005 Re-shuffle

Following a mid-term re-shuffle in September 2005 Jane Hutt was removed from her post as Health and Social Care Minister after controversy over long waiting lists and criticism from AMs [4] to Minister for Assembly Business along with the additional responsibilities of Equalities & Children. Karen Sinclair remained as Chief Whip to the Labour party allowing her to stay in the cabinet as an observer.

Further changes were the promotion of Brian Gibbons from a junior minister to Minister for Health & Social Care, along with the promotion of Tamsin Dunwoody & Christine Chapman to Deputy Ministers and a few minor changes to existing members roles.

Cabinet

Office PortraitName Term Party
First MinisterRhodri Morgan2005–2007Labour
Minister for Assembly Business, Equalities & ChildrenJane Hutt2005–2007Labour
Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and SportAlun Pugh2005–2007Labour
Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and NetworksAndrew Davies2005–2007Labour
Minister for Education, Lifelong Learning & SkillsJane Davidson2005–2007Labour
Minister for Environment, Planning and CountrysideCarwyn Jones2005–2007Labour
Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public ServicesSue Essex2005–2007Labour
Minister for Health & Social CareBrian Gibbons2005–2007Labour
Minister for Social Justice and RegenerationEdwina Hart2005–2007Labour
Office holders given special provisions to attend Cabinet
Chief WhipKaren Sinclair2005–2007Labour

Junior ministers

Office PortraitName Term Party
Deputy Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks and for Environment, Planning & CountrysideTamsin Dunwoody2005–2007Labour
Deputy Minister for Finance, Local Government & Public Services & Education, Lifelong Learning & SkillsChristine Chapman2005–2007Labour
Deputy Minister for Health & Social Services (Older People & Public Health)John Griffiths2005–2007Labour
Deputy Minister for Social Justice & Regeneration (Communities)Huw Lewis2005–2007Labour

See also

Notes and References

  1. Plaid Cymru and the John Marek Independent Party respectively
  2. Book: Morgan . Rhodri . A Political Life in Wales and Westminster . 2017 . University of Wales Press . 978-1-78683-147-7 . 259 . First.
  3. Web site: Assembly budget is finally passed . BBC News . 8 September 2021.
  4. Web site: Hutt is sacked as health minister. 10 January 2005. news.bbc.co.uk.