Charismatic Politician Known As The "Father Of Wales"

Rhodri Morgan 1939-2017

When Ron Davies resigned as leader of the Welsh Labour party in 1998, following his “moment of madness” on Clapham Common, Rhodri Morgan hoped to assume his place as leader-in-waiting of the new Welsh Assembly. Tony Blair wasn’t having it, however, and secured the election of Alun Michael instead. But as Blair, and others, would discover, Morgan was not a man to give up, said The Guardian. So it was that when Michael was forced out, after less than nine months, Morgan became Wales’ second first secretary – and seven months later, its first first minister, a position he held until 2009. Tall, with a shock of Brillo-pad hair, he was a towering figure in Welsh politics, passionate, resourceful and ingenious, but also hardworking, witty and “unstoppably loquacious”.