Morgan, Rhodri

Morgan, Rhodri (1939- ), Welsh Labour Party politician, First Secretary of the Welsh Assembly.

Born and educated in Cardiff, Morgan attended the University of Oxford and Harvard University, where he was awarded a master’s degree. Morgan joined the Civil Service and worked for the Department of Trade and Industry. He was the head of the European Commission for Wales from 1980 to 1987 and was elected as a Member of Parliament for Cardiff West at the 1987 general election, a seat he held until he stood down in 2001. In Opposition he became the Labour Party’s spokesperson for Energy (1988-1992) and for Wales (1992-1997). He became Member for Cardiff West in the 1999 elections to the Welsh Assembly and was promoted to First Secretary in February 2000, following the resignation of Alun Michael, who was facing a vote of no-confidence over the issue of European funding for the poorest regions of Wales called for by Plaid Cymru. Morgan is also responsible for Economic Development and European Issues. He was created a Privy Counsellor in July 2000.