Rhodri Morgan
Welsh Labour politician and distinguished supporter of Humanism
Rhodri Morgan is the Assembly Member for Cardiff West and former First Minister for Wales. He was born in 1939 and is a graduate of Oxford and Harvard Universities. He is a fluent Welsh speaker and married to Julie Morgan AM, also a distinguished supporter of Humanism.
Initially a Tutor Organiser for the Workers Education Association (1963-1965), Rhodri Morgan was employed as a Research Officer for Cardiff City Council, the Welsh Office and the Department of the Environment (1965-1971), before becoming an Economic Adviser for the Department of Trade and Industry (1972-1974). Between 1974-1980, he was Industrial Development Officer for South Glamorgan County Council before becoming Head of the European Commission Office in Wales(1980-1987).
He was elected to Parliament in 1987 and during his time as a MP was Chairman of the House of Commons Select Committee on Public Administration (1997-99) and served as the Opposition Front Bench Spokesman on Energy (1988-92) and Welsh Affairs (1992-97). He decided not to stand again in the General Election in June 2001.
He was elected as the Assembly Member for Cardiff West in 1999 and was appointed as the Assembly Secretary for Economic Development & European Affairs. He was appointed First Secretary of the National Assembly in February 2000 and retained responsibility for Economic Development matters until October 2000. He has been leader of the Labour Party in Walessince February 2000. He was appointed to the Privy Council in July 2000. The title of his office was changed to First Minister in October 2000.
