Charismatic Politician Known As The "Father Of Wales"

Rhodri Morgan 1939-2017

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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”.