Second Rhodri Morgan government

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

Second Morgan government

4th devolved administration of Wales
2003-2007
Date formed1 May 2003
Date dissolved26 May 2007
People and organisations
MonarchElizabeth II
First MinisterRhodri Morgan
Member party
  •   Labour
Status in legislatureMinority
30 / 60 (50%)
Opposition party
Opposition leaderIeuan Wyn Jones
History
Election2003 general election
Outgoing election2007 general election
Legislature term2nd National Assembly for Wales
PredecessorFirst Rhodri Morgan government
SuccessorThird Rhodri Morgan government

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

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Office Portrait Name Term Party
First Minister   Rhodri Morgan 2003–2005 Labour
Minister for Assembly Business

Chief Whip

  Karen Sinclair 2003–2005 Labour
Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport   Alun Pugh 2003–2005 Labour
Minister for Economic Development and Transport   Andrew Davies 2003–2005 Labour
Minister for Education   Jane Davidson 2003–2005 Labour
Minister for Environment and Rural Affairs   Carwyn Jones 2003–2005 Labour
Minister for Finance and Local Government   Sue Essex 2003–2005 Labour
Minister for Health & Social Care   Jane Hutt 2003–2005 Labour
Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration   Edwina Hart 2003–2005 Labour

Junior ministers

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Office Portrait Name Term Party
Deputy Minister for Economic Development and Transport   Dr. Brian Gibbons 2007 Labour
Deputy Minister for Health and Social Care   John Griffiths 2007 Labour
Deputy Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration   Huw Lewis 2007 Labour

September 2005 Re-shuffle

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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

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Office Portrait Name Term Party
First Minister   Rhodri Morgan 2005–2007 Labour
Minister for Assembly Business, Equalities & Children   Jane Hutt 2005–2007 Labour
Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport   Alun Pugh 2005–2007 Labour
Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks   Andrew Davies 2005–2007 Labour
Minister for Education, Lifelong Learning & Skills   Jane Davidson 2005–2007 Labour
Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside   Carwyn Jones 2005–2007 Labour
Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public Services   Sue Essex 2005–2007 Labour
Minister for Health & Social Care   Brian Gibbons 2005–2007 Labour
Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration   Edwina Hart 2005–2007 Labour
Office holders given special provisions to attend Cabinet
Chief Whip   Karen Sinclair 2005–2007 Labour

Junior ministers

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Office Portrait Name Term Party
Deputy Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks and for Environment, Planning & Countryside   Tamsin Dunwoody 2005–2007 Labour
Deputy Minister for Finance, Local Government & Public Services & Education, Lifelong Learning & Skills   Christine Chapman 2005–2007 Labour
Deputy Minister for Health & Social Services (Older People & Public Health)   John Griffiths 2005–2007 Labour
Deputy Minister for Social Justice & Regeneration (Communities)   Huw Lewis 2005–2007 Labour

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Plaid Cymru and the John Marek Independent Party respectively
  2. ^ Morgan, Rhodri (2017). A Political Life in Wales and Westminster (First ed.). University of Wales Press. p. 259. ISBN 978-1-78683-147-7.
  3. ^ "Assembly budget is finally passed". BBC News. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  4. ^ "Hutt is sacked as health minister". 10 January 2005 – via news.bbc.co.uk.