Live Tributes to Rhodri Morgan Welsh Assembly

I wish to express our heart felt... I know people the length and -- on

the length and breadth of Wales will provide support to the authorities

and the people of Manchester as they come to terms with what has

happened. I invite the First Minister to make a statement. Week

's press complete solidarity of this Assembly and the Welsh people as a

whole for the people of Manchester. This was a particular form of

cruelty because this act was directed at teenagers coming out of

a concert. It is hard to imagine an act more appalling or more

senseless. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of

Manchester today. This is the cruellest type of terrorism against

young people at a music concert. We will all stand together against this

senseless cruelty, that is beyond comprehension. The police, the NHS,

the Ambulance Services, all those who have breached out their hand of

help when it was needed. We have seen stories of heroism. We believe

that hope, unity and togetherness will defeat hate and division.

Manchester is known well to the Welsh people, and the North has seen

terrorism before. We respect the strength and resilience of that

great city. We reach out to Andy Burnham, the Merit Manchester, to

give our solidarity to the people of Manchester. I have received a

national security briefing from the Cabinet office this morning and we

will continue to monitor events as they develop. The priorities at this

stage must be to give families the support they need, and to give the

police the time and space they need to conduct their investigations

without disruption. We must never get used to terrorism at home or

abroad. We can never accept these attacks as a fact of life. We need

to continue to call it what it is, alien, cruel and unnecessary. We

will not be cowed, nor will we shrink into the shadows, nor change

our way of life. This is the best tribute that we can offer to the

people of Manchester today. I ask members to stand for a one minute's

silence. My others hard task this afternoon

is to mark the passing of the former First Minister of Wales, Rhodri

Morgan who died suddenly last Wednesday. Wales has lost a

political giant and many of us has lost a friend. We pay tribute to our

colleague, Julie, who has lost her life partner. Can I begin by

offering the sympathies of the whole Chamber to Julie and the family

after the shocking news that they received. I am sure all members will

want to join me in those sentiments. Last week, there was a leaders

debate that was taken part in. As soon as I left the Chamber, I

received the news that Rhodri Morgan had passed away. Hywel Rhodri Morgan

was named after two Kings. He served with distinction in this place as

First Minister for nearly ten years. There were many of us who knew him,

had the honour of knowing him for those many years and I'm sure, in

the course of the next hour, we will share some of those experiences.

Many of them, all of them pleasant. The first time I met him was in

1997, in the summer, for the Yes for Wales campaign. We had arrived to

discuss the devolution referendum for the September of that year. I

remember watching a rugby match, USA versus Wales. I had first-hand

I had first-hand experience of the width

that he had. He said, I've never seen such a well camouflaged crowd!

He was proud to have been first secretary in 2000 and subsequently

First Minister. A role he filled in every way in his time. He was pretty

much the same age as my father, just ten months younger and I saw him as

part of that generation, and he was someone I saw as a father figure in

politics. By the figure of a nation has been used, and he was someone I

very much looked up to. He commanded respect but he was of course someone

who was down to earth. After a while, he said, listen, you

have two call me Tee. I spoke to my grandmother who was alive at the

time that I called Rhodri Morgan T. Have you no respect? Well, I had

respect, there is no doubt about it. But with him, I'm going to use the

words of the valley. There were no tears, no graces. No ceremony. What

I am now as a politician, I owed to him. He gave me an opportunity to

become the agriculture secretary, as the title was then. These days, when

we have Cabinet reshuffle is, they are planned beforehand, on a

schedule. He rang me at 10:30pm on a Saturday night to tell me that's

I've been promoted to the Cabinet and that would I join him for the

Royal Welsh, the following night? Many remember the set and mouth

crisis of 2001. As a young Minister, I had to get on with it. Rhodri

Morgan was there to give help, guidance if it was needed, but he

never interfered. He let me learn, deal with the situation, but he was

there if I needed his advice. I very much valued it. It was a true honour

for me in 2009, to succeed him. Rhodri Morgan was a family man. He

delighted in his family, his grandchildren. He would light little

fires where people could gather, and for him, family was everything, if

you had ever been to his House. When he left active politics, he was

determined to take up other interests. He started learning the

piano. Those of us who remember when he couldn't turn a computer run, he

became a great lover of technology. He loved his garden. He was a great

gardener. Many people both in this Chamber and outside will have had

the experience of going to Rhodri Morgan's House and being presented

with a cabbage, often with the soil left on. He had a fantastic bank of

knowledge about everything, it was amazing what he could recall. He had

an encyclopaedic knowledge of sport going back to the 40s. He would have

been a fantastic pub quiz team companion, given his knowledge on

almost any subject. There was barely any thing he knew nothing about. He

could always tell you something new about a subject. He was a hugely

intelligent man with a fine mind, but he was at home with anybody. He

had a remarkable talent for remembering people's names. He would

meet people ten years on from perhaps there only meeting and

remember their names and what he had said to them. How he did this, I

don't know, that many people remarked on this. The public

associate him with being someone who had a deep interest in other people.

He will be missed by his family, but so many around Wales, and beyond.

Last week, we lost a giant of our nation. He is gone, but of course,

his name is written into our history.

I call on the leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies. May

we pass on our deepest condolences to Julie, from myself personally and

from many here. I remember when I made the comment when I first met

Rhodri Morgan, and I try to stop my cattle going into his garden. You

often get many direct individuals when you have cattle doing a merry

dance and their garden. However, Rhodri Morgan was interested in what

type of cattle they were! It encapsulates who he was. He was a

man who had a willingness to know, a thirst to understand, and above all,

he was a decent, right individual and I had a privilege to serve term

in this Assembly, and as a new member, admittedly from another

party, he always engaged, discussed things and you always felt you had

that sense of camaraderie with him. I feel deeply privileged that I was

able to serve with him in this institution, and the way in which he

conducted himself in the role, as First Minister, which it has been

pointed out he had huge prize in occupying a position and wanted this

institution to succeed. We owe him as a country a great debt of

gratitude. He stabilised the ship, along with others, when this

institution's future was not secure, and there was a huge question mark.

He made sure devolution turned into a permanent part of our country and

our democracy, here in Wales. I would remember the times when he

would be in here as First Minister, very often not quite on his own on

the Government bench, but he would start the First Minister's Questions

quite happily, with a handful of colleagues around and it was a

different time in those days, 2007-2008, and he would give you a

detailed answer, one that you might disagree with but you could

understand where he was coming from, and where the Government was coming

from. One thing that struck me as a new member to this institution, the

way in which he engaged in these proceedings. How he would sit here

with papers in front of him, working through them, and his House

of Commons backgrounds, but from my perspective, as a young farmer,

three there debating societies, I got used to this and I remember him

moving to the backbenches and I think he occupied the seat that

Julie sits in today. Perhaps you could confirm that, but it's roughly

there. Again, he wasn't a First Minister he went on a backbenches

and sat quietly, he engaged, with that thirst and appetite for life

that could be an inspiration to us all, I would suggest. I don't

profess to be a friend with Rhodri Morgan in personal cents but I feel

hugely privileged, and I'm sure the many of my group would refer to him

as a political friends and acquaintance.

He would calm people as he met them and put them at their ease. He would

show an interest by picking up the name. I am grateful for the First

Minister who run after the first ministers debate to inform me of the

tragic news like he did with the other leaders. I was speaking to my

wife after and she remembers a function we attended. Husbands

attended with their respective spouses in the political world,

those type of events are regarded with her because you are being

thrown to the wolves. Rhodri sat beside Julia Abbas luncheon, put her

at her ease, and was genuinely confused by what she was doing,

wanting to know about the things in life that she was interested in.

Likewise, Julia was asking the questions back. That was Rhodri, he

could put you at your ease. He could understand what you were talking

about and he could also offered you an answer and a perspective on life

which encapsulating the man that he was. He was a thoroughly decent,

honourable, upright individual. We are, as a country, extremely

fortunate that we have a man of such calibre at the outset of devolution,

taking the chair, steadying the ship and putting us on the journey we are

born. As I open my remarks, I will close, up by reinforcing my

condolences to Julie and the rest of the family. The loss must be huge

but with the passage of time, hopefully the grief that you feel

will be put to one side for many happy and warm memories that you

will have of indeed a great man. I call on the leader of Plaid Cymru,

Leanne Wood. On behalf of Plaid Cymru I would like to express my

condolences to Julia and the family, colleagues and everybody that new

Rhodri Morgan. I am sure that everybody that knew him had fond

memories of, not only as the leader of the country but as a person of

tenderness, and warmth. Many people in this chamber worked with him as

First Minister. My memory is of the leader that was willing to engage,

he was quick thinking and he was a real character. And he was a

patriot. He was willing to listen to others whilst setting out his own

review and vision for Wales. The phrase, man of the people, is used a

lot in politics but with Rhodri it is well deserved. He was well-known

and popular with working people and with people outside of his own

Party. He was a politician that people could relate to. He had a dry

and memorable sense of humour but beyond his personality, those people

close to him can also be very proud of his political legacy. Rhodri

Morgan that lead this nation in the early years of devolution. In those

difficult and precarious times. He formed the first coalition

Government with the Liberal Democrats and Labour governed

alongside my Party in the Wales Government from 2007-11. Those are

important steps in the early years of our democracy. Rhodri proved that

Wales could unite and that devolution could see multiple

parties exercise political power and that we could all work together

jointly. Through his tenure as First Minister of this nation, he ensured

that the foundations of devolution were cemented to ensure that it

would outlast his time as First Minister. It was under his

leadership of the country that of this Assembly took its first steps

away from Westminster in terms of public policy. Doing things

differently in a unique, Welsh way, was part of Rhodri's political

mantra. He will be well remembered. Rhodri's Way struck a chord with

people across all parties and resonated with those who had

initially been sceptical about devolution. As a Assembly Members,

we still benefit from that legacy today. Without Rhodri Morgan and you

could argue that we would not be on the cusp of assuming greater

responsibilities as an institution. I would close my remarks with an

observation. When asked in 2008 about this country's greatest

achievement since devolution, he answered that it was a growing sense

of confidence and our willingness to make our own decisions. Without

Rhodri Morgan Wales would not be the country that it is today. I call on

the leader of the Ukip group, Neil Hamilton. I would like on behalf of

my Party to repeat the condolences that had been given to Julia and

other members of Rhodri's family. I overlapped in the House of Commons

with Rhodri for ten years from 19 87 until 1997. Despite political

opposition, he was a gentle man who had time to talk. I warmed to him

because it was immediately clear that whilst fiercely loyal to his

own Party he was always going to be his own man and a paid-up member of

the awkward squad. He was devoted to the fundamental decencies of life.

He was able to accept the sincerity of other people. He had no personal

rancour towards anyone even if they had opinions diverged radically from

his. He never believed that the Democratic debate was improved by

mudslinging and abuse. He was broad-minded enough to recognise

that people can be sincere in their desire to do good at the

fundamentally differ. He was part of socialist thinking that owed more to

method is a man to Karl Marx. He was a nonconformist in the general

sense. His unruly hair being a metaphor for his ability not to be

controlled by anything other than his own conscious. The Daily

Telegraph described him as an off message MP who defied Tony Blair to

become First Minister. It was disappointing in 1997 when Tony

Blair did not offer him a ministerial post. He could've been

done a favour. It meant that Rhodri Morgan, whilst more wild man of the

left, was the antithesis of the type of politician that Tony Blair

favoured. He suffered disappointment and use the Freedom of the

backbenches to throw himself enthusiastically into the campaign

for the establishment of this National Assembly. He has been

rightly dubbed as the father of Welsh devolution. Not only for his

role in the original campaign but his ten as First Minister. He did as

much as anyone to establish this Assembly as a permanent feature of

Welsh life, confounding the initial scepticism of people like me. It

might not be strong to argue that without him I may not be here today

but who can deny this forum and a vigorous clash of opinions will be

his lasting memorial. We made a TV programme last year together. Like

all men, we entertained each other about stories of the old days in the

House of Commons and the characters that crossed her path. He and his

his surprise decision to resign as First Minister on his 70th birthday

and said there is never a great time to go but better not to outstay his

welcome. At only 77 years old, this is not the right time for him to go.

Wales is much cooler for his untimely departure. As a selfless

public servant, he was universally respected across the political

spectrum and loved as the warmest of human beings by legions of people

who he encountered. I can truly say that Rhodri Morgan was one of the

most admirable men that I have had the pleasure of knowing and is an

honour to walk in his Shadow. I call on Kirsty Williams to speak on

behalf of the Welsh Liberal Democrats. We will hear much today,

I suspect, about Rhodri, being one of us. That is, was indisputably

true. What we must also recognise is that he stood out and he stood

taller than ours as well. As a politician and as a leader, as a

father figure and friendly to those of us from the class of 99 and the

communities across Wales. Many of the tributes have talked about his

personality as being distinct from his skills as a politician. I think

that they will very much be one and the same. Robert Kennedy described

politics as the most honourable profession. I know that Rhodri would

have placed that second only to being fly half for Wales. Being a

politician committed to ideals and values, representing community and

country is an honourable profession that one should not apologise for.

There is great honour in the leadership that he brought to this

place. And to the very notion of Welsh self-government. Those of us

here back in those awkward few months and years of Welsh democracy,

we will always remember and be thankful for the skill and the

steadiness that he brought to this institution and to the role of First

Minister. Those skills came from his nature as a person. Everyone here

will have a story or two, or three, about Rhodri Morgan. It will never

be as many as the stories, facts and tales that Rhodri had about every

village, town, rugby team, sporting occasion, he was always great

company. He showed me great professional and personal kindness.

As we have heard, he was an intensely proud family man. He was

also interested in your family. He always had time to ask me about my

girls. And just like Julia, my husband Richard is a reluctant

participant in some of the formal events where demand has presence.

Rhodri always had time for him. Always wanting to know about the

cattle and the lambing season. He wrote to myself and to my late

father. My father could not believe that the First Minister of Wales had

taken the time to write to him about his loss. He was a decent, decent

man. On behalf of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and me personally, and my

family, my greatest sympathy to Julie, to you and yours. Rhodri was

my friend and leader as First Minister and also my constituent. We

shared great enthusiasm for the beautiful Vale of Glamorgan. Rhodri

always had time to campaign with me but he also loved his local walks.

Swimming in the sea with Julie. I have a memory from a friend about

Rhodri spending time for two young boys on a beach and entertaining

them on the subject of dinosaur footprints. Most recently, and

joined the produce from his garden. A very special Spanish omelette from

the ex from his latest batch of chickens from the Riverside market.

I also remember visiting a primary school on fair trade tea and meeting

his grandson. He was holding out this huge banana, very knowledgeable

on fair trade issues. Knowing Rhodri and Julia's close friend, Shia

political commitments. It takes me back to the early 1980s. I visited

him when he was the head of the European office in Wales. I was

asking for help for European funding is for the South Glamorgan women's

workshop. He secured the funding. When Matt workshop opened in 1994,

training women in IT skills and electronics, I requested the title

of being women only. He backed us all the way and 35 years later,

thousands of women and children have benefited from Matt workshop, always

a champion for women's rights. Thank you, Rhodri.

Much has been made and said Rhodri's capacity for detail and it is worth

remembering he was looking to the big policy ideas that could move

Wales forwards. When I was health and Social Services Minister, he

made it prominent that he was concerned with Social Services as

much as the NHS. He appointed the first children's commissioner in

2001,. People from Voices In Care knew he was listening. A ?1.9

billion health budget compared with over 7 billion now. We didn't do

PFA, we brought in free prescriptions and Rhodri Morgan

opens the medical centre at Swansea University. He was passionate about

primary care, championing outstanding scientists to put Wales

at the forefront of medical research. He appointed the chief

scientific adviser for Wales, which has been so significant. His

contribution to education has been significant. He recognised the

importance of investing in the early years, bringing higher education to

the ballets, dealing with the 21st-century school building

programme. Today, the horrific attack in Manchester is at the

forefront of our thoughts. We must remember Rhodri Morgan's swift

response to 911, bringing forth all the faith leaders in our forum to

establish new relationships that have survived, through thick and

thin, today. Julie and I were at the Hindu community centre, where faith

leaders assembled, many of whom are here today. Rhodri Morgan listened

and take action. Much has been said about his ability to relate to

people every day, everywhere he went, in Wales. He also looked out

to the wider world. Wales That Africa, is being celebrated in the

Senedd soon. I have been so fortunate to know and work with

Rhodri Morgan, as a truly inspiring Rhodri Morgan, as a truly inspiring

leader, who defines the meaning and importance of devolution for Wales,

whilst carving a distinct identity for Welsh Labour. We must remember

his legacy as a great and good leader and friend to Wales.

Extraordinary, inspirational, genuine, original, unique. All

additives that had been used to describe Rhodri Morgan over the past

few days, each one accurate. I met Julie and Rhodri 20 years ago for

the Yes For Wales campaign. The history of this campaign is very

well-known. Rhodri Morgan absolutely believed time would come, often

quoting one of his analogies, three tries for a Welshman. He wanted to

insure that devolution work for everyone in Wales by steadying the

ship and providing access in all leadership. Devolution will be his

political legacy, without him it would have been a more difficult

journey. I have been elected by the people of Wrexham to serve under

Rhodri Morgan. He encouraged me and I owe him a great deal. I will never

forget his personal support and encouragement over the last decade.

I sought his advice and wisdom and I remember during a very unpleasant

day during an election campaign where opponents were hurling in

personal insults, he rang me to phone me and tell me that the

politics were playing the ball and not the man. It is not possible to

think of him for long without remembering a story that makes use

's remembering a story

that makes you smile. one time he arrived from visiting

flood victims hoping for a Sunday lunch. But it was my daughter's

birthday so there was no lunch on offer. He rolled up his sleeves and

help me prepare my daughter's birthday party, and then cleaned up

afterwards. Following his retirement as First Minister, he decided he

really needed to learn how to send an e-mail, and on the Friday after

stepping down, he e-mailed me to congratulate me on my appointment as

Deputy First Minister, saying I should treasure it!

LAUGHTER He sat behind the directly in the

Chamber and often used to ask me in a very loud whisper, did I fancy a

cup of tea? I decided to show him the messaging Chamber in the --

system in the Chamber, and from then on I was his 24-hour IT support. He

had no airs and no graces. He was passionate about Wales and the

people. It didn't matter what town or city, in Wales, you visited him.

He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of Wales, and made everyone feel

comfortable and at ease, and that is why he was such a popular politician

known everywhere by his first name. His loss is felt by so many people

which is emphasised to me on a visit to Wrexham hospital last week, when

several people stopped me in the corridor to tell me that they felt

they had lost a friend, even though they had never met him. It was a

pleasure to be in his company, and he was ready to share his knowledge

with you. I valued his friendship and will miss him greatly. His top

priority in life with his family, to whom he was devoted. Mine and my

daughter's thoughts are with Julie and his family, at this difficult

time. Thank you, Rhodri. Sleep well, comrades. As the chair of the Welsh

Conservatives party group and the only member elected in 1999, it is

my sad honour to make this tribute. Debbie

-- devolution was a shaky subject when it first appeared. It had not

created a stable Government. Rhodri Morgan provided the energy and

vision that devolution needed to succeed in Wales. He was a tough

opponent, and I think we should be candid in recognising this. But as

was said of Churchill, any anger was like lightning. Bright, decisive and

quickly passing. While his powerful memory was rightly famous, it did

not extend to bearing political grudges, and we all know that is a

rare quality, and generosity of heart that is. At the heart of his

vision was that Wales must become a political nation to match and

advanced it cultural and historical achievements, and all our political

traditions have a part in that which he nobly recognised. When he stepped

down as First Minister, devolution was constitutionally embedded and

was about to receive a two thirds majority in a referendum for primary

lawmaking powers. His service to the Welsh nation will be seen as the

greatest of his generation of politicians. It was a service that

was supported and sustained by a long and happy marriage. I extend my

deepest sympathies and those of my colleagues to Julie and the whole

family. I started to knock doors to persuade the citizens of Cardiff

West to vote for Rhodri Morgan in the famous victory in 1987. When the

constituency overturned the first time in its history, returned to the

hands of the Labour Party. I heard him speak publicly fortnight ago,

reliving the excitement of that campaign, and the start of a 30 year

relationship with communities across Cardiff West. Because, if the name

of Rhodri Morgan was new to many in 1987, it didn't stay like that for

too long. As he fought against the barrage... In fighting against the

quango state, the producer and director of that famous Welsh film

Last Quango In Powys, as I referred to it so often, what was a marginal

seat was now firmly in the grasp of Rhodri Morgan. Not that this was the

result of anything but hard work. The weekly surgeries, the public

meetings, the community engagements. Patsy became more prominent on the

national stage, but wherever he was needed locally, he was there. Jane

Hutt and I work the councillors for the riverside warding Cardiff West.

Sue Essex and Jane Davidson were for Cardiff East. We invited residents

to put up flyers in their windows if they wanted us to call. Once every

so often we would be joined by Rhodri Morgan. Instead of the usual

three or four takers, a dozen leaflets would go up MP Paul's

windows. -- in people's windows. Everyone of was disappointed to see

us, instead they were hoping to see Rhodri Morgan. We would return to

the first House and there would be a member of Parliament for Cardiff

West. Three cousins in common, two cups of tea, a couple of Welsh

cakes, they thought he was wonderful and they were right. It's no

surprise why 1997 and the general election, the first Assembly

elections, the Cardiff voters were returning Rhodri Morgan with

majorities that, I told him at the time, will be the envy of Albania,

the one place he didn't have political contacts or relationships.

It passed safely onto his close friend, and advisor, Kevin Brennan.

He was then free to juggled the political demands of being First

Minister of Wales and the fierce energy he brought to representing

individuals and communities in his own constituency. A relationship

that continues well beyond his formal retirement in 2011. Knocking

doors over the past few days in Cardiff West has been a slow and

painful process. Full of tears and laughter as household after

household has its own Rhodri Morgan story to tell. There are many

individuals during those years of devolution but I want to end with

this story. You remember the rocky, early days where he stabilised the

devolution project and set it on course. It's hard to add something

new to that narrative but what I want to see this afternoon is that

underneath that sparkling surface, that ability to tilt to anyone about

anything, went a hugely serious political purpose. The creation of

this institution, the putting power in the hands of the Welsh people to

decide on issues that effect only them. The embedding of this

throughout Wales. Charles The would have been envious. What a

different ways this is to May 2000, in those earliest days of Rhodri

Morgan as First Minister and because of Rhodri Morgan is as

Llywydd, devolution is a project with our study. All was included in

it have had a hand in its creation. Much of what we have faced we come

across for the first time. The loss of the former First Minister and a

friend is exactly that sort of event. It leaves us raw and

struggling to despond. Of this we can be sure, without Rhodri Morgan

that journey that we have all been known would have been very different

and far, far more difficult. John Griffiths. Thank you for the

opportunity to pay tribute to Rhodri Morgan in the Senedd today. And the

presence of Julie who had such a strong partnership with Rhodri in

marriage and politically. It was a privilege, Llywydd, to serve with

Rhodri in the Assembly and indeed in Government. I am very great mint to

Rhodri for giving me the first opportunities as a member of his

Government. To work with him was a pleasure. His commitment to

socialism, Wales and devolution and his lively sense of humour made it a

great pleasure. I remember in his early days as first Secretary,

Rhodri speaking at so many events at the Assembly, in Cardiff Bay, out

and about on a wide variety of matters. And always displaying that

breadth and depth of interest and knowledge that made Oliver is very

proud that we had such a First Minister. -- that made all of us

very proud. That was in evidence at the International gathering of

leading figures that I recount in the Celtic Manor when he gave a tour

de force on the history and culture of Wales and so many people came up

to me and said afterwards that we must be very proud to have a leader

with such a depth of knowledge on the history of Wales and its

culture. On accompanying Rhodri to steelworks was an interesting

experience. Everybody there with decades of experience of steelworks,

his knowledge of industrial processes and products. It is not

only two of the steel industry but also true of visits to different

sectors that made up and make up our economy in Wales. And when he came

along to Newport for the rugby games, not playing Cardiff Blues but

other opponents such as monster. He was a huge hit on the terraces

because of his passion for rugby and for sport, and his vocal support and

willingness to engage in banter around Cardiff Blues and Newport

Dragons. And the different merits and results, and successes. And of

course on the streets and doorsteps. Rhodri was incredibly popular. As so

many have already said today and has been said so many times outside this

chamber, he had such an entirely natural and genuine ability to

relate to people from so many different backgrounds. I think it is

clear that his place in history is secure. Getting the Assembly up and

running, and established, giving it credibility, profile and popularity.

And shaping post-devolution politics in Wales and Welsh Labour politics

onto that territory that we are now so familiar with, left of centre,

designed for Wales, clear, red water. Simon Thomas. Thank you

Llywydd. Rhodri Morgan was born to be First Minister. Not only because

he had the name of Rhodri, but because of his character and

personality. On two occasions, at the third attempt, he became the

leader of the Party, and Assembly, Government and nation. We needed

somebody in the early days of devolution that could encapsulate in

his personality the nature and quality of devolution and Rhodri was

that individual. The concept of devolution was vague and are

difficult to understand what it meant for the person in the street,

the shop, the surgery of the school. Everybody could turn to Rhodri

Morgan and fully understand that this is what devolution is. Our own

leader. Grenot Rhodri Morgan spoke of clear, red water, he was aiming

his comments at his own Party but they weren't important words for the

entire nation. -- they weren't important words. He gave people the

ability to embrace devolution when they were not sure, you can be

British, nationalist and still be part of the Labour family. In simple

words, he encapsulated the complexities and the benefits of

devolution. I have no doubt that we would be meeting today as a

Parliament with full powers that it was not for Rhodri Morgan. Other

people played a part but Rhodri's commitment to an agreement made in

the one Wales Government to call for a referendum for a full parliament

was always solid and robust. That was true, strong leadership. It was

a pleasure and as the First Minister told us, it was a lesson for me to

work for him during that time. I will allow others who were more

friend and colleague and I was to talk about his unkempt appearance

and his fear style at times. The -- he had to go a long way to find a

decent pair of shoes to appear at the conference. It was his character

and personality that kept his feet on the ground and it was not

something that was created to hide the true personality that you find

with some politicians. We go back many years in the voluntary sector

in Wales. I also knew Julia as a member of Parliament in Westminster.

I want to convey my deepest condolences on behalf of myself, my

family to Julie and to her family. Rhodri and Julia have left a mark on

myself and my family, in my early days in Westminster talking to

Julie, Rhodri and Julie had a secret place in my constituency. A caravan.

It sounded a wonderfully romantic idea. It sounded like what was

keeping Rhodri and Julie scene and human end a politics. Within one

year I had my own caravan. It was in Aberystwyth. It has kept me rounded,

humane and are safe. I hope you have so many fond memories of Rhodri.

TRANSLATION: As one who studied Welsh at University, I did know

Rhodri Morgan's father who was a scholar and is well-known to anybody

who studied the Welsh language. He was also a master the particular

type of Welsh prose that takes a minor issue and expresses its huge

importance. And Rhodri Morgan was a master of that art although he did

it would only rather than on paper. I did get hold of a collection of

essays by TJ Morgan and read it to remind me of the humour and ability

to have a broad range of interests that Rhodri inherited. TJ Morgan,

his father, talks about Cabot Trail. He would always emphasise the

importance of this posting where you are from. It was the Morgan that

gave his name to Glamorgan. There are too many Morgans in Glamorgan.

And throughout South Wales generally for one family to take the name as

the imperative right. Through his work and his contribution, Rhodri

Morgan claimed the entire of Wales and made it. I and my family extend

my deepest condolences to Julia and her family in what is a difficult

time. I hope some of the tributes today have been of great solace to

her and her family. Former First Minister Rhodri Morgan appeared in

person to give evidence only two weeks ago for the enquiry for a

stronger voice for Wales. He demonstrated as always his enduring

commitment for devolution but also his passion and intellect, and his

warmth and has worked, and his wisdom built on years of experience

serving the people of Wales. In my brief remarks today I want to recall

fond of personal memories of Rhodri. The warm and engaging Rhodri who

people blocked because the system was genuinely reciprocated. When I

was a Labour branch Secretary many years ago. It was matter of turned

up at a rally, holding up the traffic for 20 minutes outside a

newsagent and then striding down the states with the band playing and the

Welsh miners banner flying and then Rhodri speaking from the back of my

father-in-law's flatbed truck before going to the rugby field. And then

being mobbed by people who all just wanted to say hello to Rhodri. It

was in the day before herself is. Being mobbed was an occupational

hazard as I discovered in Parliament. Bypass during one

election was to help chaperone Rhodri around keeper Philae town

centre. We struggle to make headway. Everybody wanted to talk politics

rugby, or simply say hello as they had discovered a relative. Rhodri

loved talking to and knowing the family relations of every single

person and street in every community. No other senior statesman

would risk all to attend a local charity fundraiser in my hometown. A

long-time friend of Rhodri was performing live on stage. During the

act, he accepted an invitation to go up on stage to take part. It was

quite an unusual act. We all watched with growing concern as Rhodri Julie

laid himself down on a bed of six inch nails and allowed the performer

to walk across. The headlines were writing themselves in my troubled

mind. I know I will not be alone in this, I will remember the selfless

way in which he encouraged me and others to take up the mantle of

public service and to stand for election. I can only -- honestly say

I would not have done so without his gentle and busways of persistence.

This was a noble calling worth pursuing. Importantly, he also

persuaded my wife that I should. I never regretted it. Not least

because myself and others continue to look up to people like Rhodri as

role models of lifelong public service in Westminster and here in

Wales. To scale the political heights as he did, he had to detain

the common touch with such ease, it shows the measure of the man and the

friend we have lost. His legacy is great and enduring. Rhodri Morgan

was a true servant of Wales and the true friend to everyone that he

knew. First of all, Julie, it is so

typical of you and of Rhodri that you should be with us in this place

today. Thank you for being here. It enables us to address you warmly as

I do on the part of my own long-standing friendship with you

and the family going back so many years. TRANSLATION: I first worked

with Rhodri Morgan when he was elected to the House of Commons as

member of Parliament for Cardiff West in 1987. He had vast experience

before becoming a member of Parliament and it is important that

we mention his intellect and the scholarly nature of the family as we

have already had reference to. I have been a friend of his brother

and fondly remembered his father because he stood head and shoulders

above the scholars of Welsh literature in the 1960s. He was far

more engaging as a lecturer and the rest of them and that talent was

passed to Rhodri. He was himself a scholar, graduating from Oxford and

Harvard having been a research in local and central Government, an

economic adviser to the Department of Trade and Industry, a development

officer for South Glamorgan, County Council and head of Community

office. I recall him coming to the Commons and I was surprised by his

ability to secure promotion so swiftly. I had been a backbencher

and inadequate leader of the slightly smaller Party. As we

remember in Westminster, he was the official opposition spokesperson on

the environment, on energy and of course, on Welsh affairs. That is

when the foundations of devolution were laid from 1997. His final act

in Westminster was to become the chair of the House of Commons Select

Committee on Public Administration and it is important that I mention

his contribution as a parliamentarian in the UK. He was

not some kind of maverick, he was a talented parliamentarian who could

use all of the skills of Parliament to confuse the Government. I can

recall the almost military requirement of policy to oppose the

barrage and Rhodri was behind all of that. When he came here, I could

keep you here all day. You all know of the wonderful tenure and long

relationship that I had with Rhodri as first Presiding Officer. He was

the first First Minister. He was the man who created that post for

himself. That incident is something I made a major before concluding

this afternoon. It was around 1pm in the afternoon and at that time, I

think the Assembly would gather at 2:30pm in the older chamber. The

message had been issued that Rhodri Morgan wished to change his title.

He informed the den Presiding Officer and said that the title was

to be First Minister. We then got to the nitty-gritty. What was the

correct Welsh translation for First Minister? Some translators who

remain nameless, who does not work at this place any longer, had

translated First Minister as... Very rarely in 1's life does he feel he

has authority on any night -- any issue but I knew that his

pronunciation was the First Minister that came to chapel and then there

was another one following that. I tried to explain there was two ways

of seeing it in Welsh. There's only one translation of this.

That was 15 minutes before the Assembly sat. The message came back

that the First Minister gladly except that he'll be described as

First Minister in English. I was the first person in the universe to use

those words. Prif Weinidog Cymru. Rhodri Morgan

became the very first Prif Weinidog Cymru. He understood the

constitution through his great intellect. It was in his bones. He

understood the principles and a separation between Government and

Assembly. And they need to scrutinise Government by being

independent and the ability for Government to take criticism. That

was all there because it was in his own experiences as a parliamentarian

in Westminster. We could then proceeds to build what we had built.

He was not in favour of this building. He wanted an extension. He

did not get his way. I am delighted we are to celebrate

his passing in this place. Appropriately in this building. It

is the building for the people of Wales. Bodybuilder -- Rhodri Morgan

built on the politics that made this possible. I have the honour to know

Rhodri Morgan over many decades. That was not exceptional. Everybody

involved in the Labour Party in Wales knew him at some time or

another. Everybody in Wales knew him at some time or another. I knew his

personal kindness to me and to my late wife, Elaine. I would like to

make a specific tribute on the half of those thousands of people in

Wales who like Rhodri Morgan, gave several decades of their lives to

the campaign against apartheid in South Africa. And the international

support and cultural Boycott of that eventually contributed to the

downfall of the apartheid regime. Rhodri was a founder member of the

Welsh anti-apartheid movement. He was at the forefront of that

movement. And alongside many other major Welsh political figures such

as Neil Kinnock, Lord Brooks, Phil Squire, the leader of the liberal

council. Bob Morgan. Rhodri alongside Julie was always there in

that campaign. In the 1980s he was part of a delegation to

renationalise Stanford which established a cultural boycott. He

supported the Rugby boycott. Something that was not easy for an

ardent rugby fan. He actively campaigned and supported the release

of Nelson Mandela. Upon his release from prison, Nelson Mandela that is,

he spoke about the special link between Wales and South Africa. This

was recognised by Nelson Mandela and bio -- and by the African National

Congress. He was a participant in the famous Welsh fundraising

sponsored walk held here to raise funds for charities, commemorating

the Soweto massacre. It is a walkabout carries on to this day. It

is a walk that he enjoyed. It was five days. -- it was five miles.

Alongside so many, Rhodri was a spokesman for all that was so good

in Wales for standing up against injustice wherever it occurred. And

in the best internationalist traditions of Wales. On half of all

of those who were involved in that movement and that they would like me

to say thank you, Rhodri, you read a great campaigner for justice and

international solidarity. You played your part in Wales helping to bring

the spectre of a Party to an end. Position-mac I rise as a member of

the class of 99. And also as the child of the Plaid Cymru. I met him

in 1996. -- as the chairman. We met on a panel discussing the health

service back in 1996. I remember him being surprised that a young doctor

wanted to venture into this world of politics. I was rather surprised

myself to be honest and I am still slightly surprised. That is my

earliest memory of Rhodri Morgan. He was great company. The original 60

members here were elected and it is strange to think about all the

sessions that are being held here over the years. Some quite good

times and others in quite difficult times. Such as today to be honest.

This day was black enough already. It has become even darker with the

overnight news from Manchester. There is a significant challenge for

us as a nation in light of everything that is occurring in our

world today. We are very proud to have this Assembly as a foundation

or a basis to the way to how we can respond. I am very proud to be able

to pay tribute to Rhodri Morgan's work.

The Senedd is on its way to become a real parliament. It is safe to say

that the Zhao are greatly due to the special contribution of Rhodri

Morgan to secure the strengthening of the Senedd over the years. It is

needed more than ever to defend Wales and to protect Wales today. We

conceded Julie is here and I am pleased to be able to reach you as a

friend, and as a college member of this Assembly. My sympathy lies with

you and your family. I am aware that the family had present in the public

gallery. -- are present. It is great to greet Professor Morgan. We have

been friends in Swansea for over 30 years. He is a very close friend and

a genius of Wales's history. The contribution of the Morgan family

has been exceptional. And we have all of you in our prayers. Julie

James. I just wanted to share the few short anecdotes from our family

about Rhodri and Julie. One cherished story in our family is

long before Rhodri had become a public figure. In our earlier

relationship, Julie took Rhodri up to meet my grandparents in a little

cottage on a hill above Swansea. My grandmother was very sociable but my

grandfather, not so much and could be judgmental. He was very firm in

his views and beliefs. My father called afterwards with a little

trepidation to see how the visit had gone. He was astonished to find that

my grandfather had said, he was all right. Yes, he is all right. And

then on his way out of the House, my grandmother leaned forward and said,

he passed very highly. I never asked Julie about that version of that

story but it is cherished in my family. As time went on, Rhodri and

Julie became very much more public figures but still always had the

time to share with the family. And to come to family occasions and be

hospitable in Cardiff Swansea. The entire family cherishes the spirited

discussion that ranged from autism at the last lunch in the family and

the labyrinth of the family connections of who was related to

food, sleeping with whom, divorced with food. The entry gives details

of Cardiff and Swansea local politics which he seemed to have a

knowledge. -- the intrinsic all details. And even more astonishing,

my father mentioning something that happened in Canada, a spirited

discussion about Canadian politics and the relationship of Welsh mining

and on... I am not telling you anything you did not know about

Rhodri. He knew everything about everything. He had the time and

energy to give to people and was duly alongside him, they were very

keen to my family. When my father was ill be took the time and trouble

to supporters. They will be sadly missed and I miss them dearly. My

condolences. TRANSLATION: Thank you very much. I am pleased to pay my

own tribute to Rhodri, the giant of our nation. He was a patriot, a

democratic socialist who made a huge difference to this nation. He

brought stability to this place. In a very troubled time. My own story

goes back to the 1980s when I was extremely proud that our branch of

the Labour Party was the first to nominate Rhodri to be a member of

Parliament for Cardiff West. I will never forget that. And Rhodri never

forgot that. The love that that community had for Rhodri was

immense. He loved the working class. And they loved him back. He was

authentic in everything. And that authenticity was something that came

over very clearly. A little too often for some of us at times. We

had to send him home to changes trousers that are too dirty and he

had no shirt and tie and we had to send him back to smarten themselves

up. And prayed in tribute to a Labour

man to the core and made that persist. The giant of his people and

a nation. Thank you very much for sharing Rhodri Morgan with all of

us. Julie Morgan. Pelle-mac I want to speak very briefly to thank you

for your tributes. They are deeply comforting. I know that the First

Minister here was the pinnacle of Rhodri's career. He loved this

place, this Parliament, this Assembly and he loved the House of

Commons. He loved the cut and thrust of politics. I remember him arriving

back early one morning from the House of Commons, when they were

having long nights, and he enjoyed it enormously. It meant so much to

him. The one thing I want to say about him is very important. He

never looked back. He made his decisions and never regretted them.

When he made these decisions, he never said to me, I wish I had done

this and that, he just looked forward. He was so fulfilled. He

loved the garden. He had the most wonderful crops and have them all

prepared for Abbey, extended family who are here in the Chamber today,

he would love to give them their vegetables when they arrived. He has

an extra five new chicken so be very busy looking after them. He also did

a lot of things. He is nearly finished with his book. He loved

being the Chancellor of Swansea University. Every minute was

enjoyment and he really always looked forward. He was immensely

fulfilled. We have had a roller-coaster sort of life, with

the politics being that way. It's been reset all the way. --

rossettes. It's been a pleasure. Losing him has been a terrible loss

of the family, and I haven't yet realised the full enormity, but it

is very comforting to listen to what everybody has said today and the

tributes from everybody here in the Chamber, and all idle Wales, that we

have received, have been of huge comfort. -- and all over Wales. He

had a wonderful life and he enjoyed every minute.

APPLAUSE I am grateful to you all for your

noteworthy and sincere contributions and I am particularly grateful to

Julie and the family for sharing these tributes with us. We will

never see the like of Rhodri Morgan in this Assembly again. You have

talked of his wonderful qualities, and for those who have served since

1999, we will never forget his courage and boldness in leading the

Welsh Government. He ploughed his own furrow and believed what was

best for this nation. During the summer, reports had reached the

local Assembly member that the First Minister of Wales was on the beach,

in his shorts, swimming with the dolphins, in his caravan, on his

farm. He was given the peace and tranquillity to recharge his

batteries and relax in the company of his family. His knowledge and

memory were in men's. This is the man who and bailed -- and bailed

Colin Jackson's portrait and then repeated his race times to the

second. He also asked me how I was going to deal with an invasion of

salmon - eating jellyfish, after reading about it in the News! He

took an interest in us all. He led this country with passion and

realism. He swam quietly with the dolphins. Let us remember Rhodri

Morgan and stand in respect of all he has achieved for this nation and

in sympathy with Julie, and the family.

Thank you, Rhodri Morgan. And that concludes our