A MAN OF THE PEOPLE
RHODRI MORGAN 1939-2017
RHODRI MORGAN was yesterday remembered as one of the defining figures of Cardiff and Welsh life after he collapsed and died while cycling in the lanes near his home.
South Wales Police said officers were called to an incident involving the former First Minister outside Cardiff shortly after 5pm on Wednesday.
A spokeswoman said: “South Wales Police can confirm that officers were called to an incident which happened on a lane near Cwrt Yr Ala Road, Wenvoe, shortly after 5pm on Wednesday after reports that a man had been taken ill. Police and paramedics attended.
“Sadly, the man, former First Minister Rhodri Morgan, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Next of kin and HM Coroner have been informed.” He was 77. Fondly described as “the Father of Wales”, Mr Morgan spent more than 30 years in politics and led the country as First Minister for almost 10 years from 2000.
Long before he became a national figure he was a fixture of the city, serving as MP for Cardiff West from 1987 to 2001.
The passionate Bluebirds supporter was also an honorary member of Cardiff Blues, where he is remembered as a “regular on the terraces”.
The former Whitchurch Grammar schoolboy went on to work at South Glamorgan County Council, where he was an industrial development officer.
As an MP he opposed the creation of the Cardiff Bay barrage – he warned of the damage it could cause in his constituency – but as First Minister he would help establish the Assembly at the heart of national life.
Politicians from across the political spectrum spoke with warmth about the Labour “giant” and all the parties in Wales suspended general election campaigning yesterday as a mark of respect.
Books of condolences have been opened by the National Assembly at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay and the Assembly’s office in Colwyn Bay.
All flags across the Assembly estate flew at half-mast yesterday and a minute’s silence was held for staff and politicians at 12.30pm.
In a statement issued just after the news broke late on Wednesday, Bridgend AM and First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “Wales hasn’t just lost a great politician, we’ve lost a real father figure.
“In very many ways Rhodri wasn’t like other politicians and that is why people warmed to him, trusted him, and felt like they knew him so well.
“He was funny, clever, engaging on almost any topic and absolutely passionate about all things Welsh.
“I owe him a great deal, just as we all do in Welsh Labour. He did so much to fight for, and then establish, devolution in the hearts and minds of the public in our country.
“His bright confidence was infectious, and we can see so much of Rhodri’s cando attitude in our modern Wales.
“That first decade of self-governance, and making distinct choices for Wales will forever be associated with his leadership.
“He will be hugely missed, and my thoughts are with Julie and all the family at this sad time.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn hailed him as a “giant” of the Labour movement, while current Welsh Secretary, Conservative Alun Cairns, said Mr Morgan was a “significant politician” and a “great servant to Wales”.
Mr Morgan famously did not always see eye-to-eye with former prime minister Tony Blair, who overlooked him to lead the Welsh Assembly, and moved to distance himself with New Labour.
But Mr Blair said: “Rhodri was an outstanding servant of Wales, the United Kingdom and the Labour Party.
“He was great company, a fund of marvellous stories and a shrewd and immensely capable politician. We spent many times together in opposition and in Government.
“He took over the Welsh Assembly leadership at a difficult moment and led it with enormous skill and dedication.
“He will be sorely missed and I send my deepest condolences to Julie and the family.”
Former Cardiff South and Penarth MP
Alun Michael,now police and crime commissioner for South Wales Police, said: “He was the most popular politician of his generation and the absolute master of the one-liner.
“When Rhodri and I were first elected in 1987 we were part of a Welsh resurgence of political radicalism which was a staging point for 1997 and the road to devolution which has been so crucial to the Wales in which we now live.
“He led the Welsh government and the Assembly through turbulent times to stability and laid the firm foundations on which Carwyn Jones and the current government have been able to build.”
Mr Morgan became AM for Cardiff West in 1999 in the first Assembly elections.
He then went on to become leader of Welsh Labour and First Minister of Wales in 2000 and held the position until 2009.
Secretary for State of Wales and Vale of Glamorgan MP Alun Cairns said: “Rhodri Morgan was a significant politician and a great servant to Wales. “He was passionate and committed. “He had some of the most disarming and humorous one-liners. He will be sorely missed and was a great servant to Wales whatever your political views. He will have advanced politics in Wales.”
Former Labour leader Ed Miliband has said: “Rhodri Morgan was one of the best: a passionate, principled, witty, decent man who made a difference. My heart goes out to Julie”.
Former Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, who served alongside Mr Morgan from 2007 to 2011, said: “I worked alongside him for two-and-a-half years during the One Wales government.
“He was very easy to work with, and he was very likeable, extremely loyal and highly knowledgeable.
“It wasn’t easy for him to deliver the coalition in sections of his party, but Rhodri stood firm and we agreed a very progressive programme of government. I send my deepest condolences to Julie and the family in their bereavement”.
Former Welsh Secretary and exNeath MP Peter Hain said he was a “towering figure”.
He said: “As First Minister, Rhodri was both the father of devolution and the father of the nation. He did more than anyone to bed down and ensure the new Welsh Assembly gained widespread legitimacy.
“Equally at home both bantering on rugby in a pub or talking economic theory, he was a unique populist intellectual.
“I worked closely with him as Secretary of State for Wales to agree the basis for the full law-making powers the Assembly now has.
“He was Welsh through and through and a repository of fascinating facts on everything under the sun.
“A towering figure in every sense whom we will all miss.”
Alongside the political tributes, people went online to share their favourite memories of the former First Minister.
BBC presenter Teleri Glyn Jones said: “He was at Riverside Market most Sundays and used to buy presents for stall holders every year.”
Twitter user Dave Jones said: “One of the funniest things I’ve seen was Rhodri Morgan having a row with a self-service checkout in Tesco... and then saying thank you to it.”
FRIENDS and former rivals from different parties united yesterday to pay tribute to former First Minister Rhodri Morgan after his sudden death.
Kevin Brennan, who worked as Mr Morgan’s special adviser before succeeding him as MP for Cardiff West in 2001, saluted his old boss.
Writing on his Facebook page, he said: “I feel immensely privileged to have known Rhodri as a colleague and a friend. He was an extraordinary human being.
“He was intelligent, funny and down to earth, with curiosity about everyone and everything. He also had an incredible memory for facts and names which never ceased to amaze.”
Mr Brennan recalled how senior New Labour figures had not wanted Mr Morgan to lead the party in the Assembly.
He said: “In some ways Tony Blair and Peter Mandelson’s efforts to block Rhodri was the making of him. They didn’t understand how stubborn and determined he was, and they didn’t understand how popular a figure he was in Wales.
“This mean that when he became First Minister he was his own man, and he set about leading Welsh Labour on a different path.”
Describing their friendship, he said: “I will remember him most as a wonderful, engaging and entertaining friend. I’ll remember the late nights at Labour Party Conference as he held court in the back bar of the Imperial Hotel in Blackpool to a group of enthralled delegates.
“I’ll remember the rugby trips to Dublin and the coffees at Riverside Market. Most of all I’ll remember the sheer pleasure of sharing his company, knowing you were in the presence of a very special human being.”
Plaid Cymru National Assembly Presiding Officer Elin Jones also paid a warm tribute, saying: “As First Minister of Wales, Rhodri’s contribution in helping build our nation and its young democracy was immeasurable.
“His popularity among the people of Wales and his determination to anchor the institution firmly in the national psyche accelerated the acceptance of devolution and nurtured pride in our new institution.
“During cabinet meetings, I remember how he skilfully steered policy discussions in such a way that decisions were always considered not only through the prism of how they would be perceived in the Senedd but also by how they would be perceived in the village hall or at the supermarket checkout.
“Rhodri’s ability to communicate with, and to understand, the diverse communities of Wales ultimately won hearts and minds, and was critical in giving the people of Wales the confidence to strengthen and develop the National Assembly.”
Welsh Conservative leader, South Wales Central AM and farmer Andrew RT Davies remembered the time his cattle broke into Mr Morgan’s garden.
He said: “Our first meeting was not in the political arena but came after Rhodri was forced to barricade his garden late on an autumn Sunday evening after some of my cattle had misbehaved and wandered into the Morgans’ – he was undoubtedly one of life’s true characters.
“And while politically we didn’t see eye to eye, there is no question that he was held in high regard right across the political spectrum and he will be missed by all who knew him.”
Plaid Cymru leader and Rhondda AM Leanne Wood said: “Rhodri Morgan was much respected across the political spectrum and led Wales with distinction during a crucial period in Welsh history.
“I extend my condolences on behalf of everyone in Plaid Cymru to his family.”
Mark Williams, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: “Wales has lost a giant political figure in Rhodri Morgan. Our deepest condolences to Julie and family.”
Lord German, the former Deputy First Minister who served in coalition with Mr Morgan and is now a Liberal Democrat peer, said: “Wales has lost a great politician and stalwart. He has a huge place in Welsh devolution. A strong opponent but a great friend.”
Paul Flynn has represented Newport West since 1987. He is the Labour candidate for this year’s election.
He said: “He was a person without malice or envy and a great rarity in politics – he was a man spurred on by idealism.
“We were very lucky to have him. He established devolution in Wales and set it on its path.
“Rhodri was Welsh to the core and loved the language and loved the personality of Wales. The Welsh Assembly has been created and it will remain
forever in his image.”
Anna McMorrin, Labour candidate for Westminster in Cardiff North, had been working closely with Mr Morgan and his wife since the election was called.
She said: “He was such an intelligent but kind and compassionate man. I have worked with him closely over the years and knew him personally as a friend and particularly closely in the last few days.
“I was just with him and Julie on Saturday. I am devastated.
“He was an absolute giant of Welsh politics but you forgot that when you were with him. He was such an easy person to get on with.
“Overwhelmingly, my thoughts are with Julie and the family.”
Unison Wales regional secretary Margaret Thomas said: “Rhodri’s ability to immediately connect with people was the reason he was so widely trusted.
“At a critical time in the early years of devolution he stood up for Wales against Westminster, marking out our territory and defining the parameters of Welsh powers.”
TUC General Secretary Martin Mansfield said: “Rhodri was a true friend to the Welsh union movement and working people in Wales. He created the ‘Welsh way’ of delivering public services in social partnership. When the financial crisis hit Rhodri led us through it by taking the best ideas from employers and from unions and finding innovative ways of delivering them.”
The Welsh Language Commissioner Meri Huws said: “Rhodri Morgan, more than anyone, shaped modernday Wales. Under his leadership, we saw Wales grow into a confident nation in the early years of devolution and it was his administration which paved the way for the creation of a Government with its own legislative powers.”
Catriona Williams, chief executive of Children in Wales, said: “As well as being a political leader who had a vision for Wales, Rhodri’s contribution to improving the lives of children and young people, especially those who were vulnerable or excluded, was unique.
“He supported our representations for the integration of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Welsh policies and legislation, as well as the campaign for the creation of the first Children’s Commissioner in the UK.
“However, and most importantly, he also reached out as a caring human being, especially to young people in and around the care system and they found him easy to talk to and knew him, as did many in Wales, as ‘Rhodri.’”
The Church in Wales also paid tribute to the former First Minister, highlighting his interfaith relations.
The statement said: “Rhodri’s politics were driven by his principles and his principles were informed by his deep concern for the welfare of ordinary Welsh people and all this was seasoned by his sense of humour and his total lack of pretension. He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are will Julie and his family at this difficult time.”
Janet Jones, of the Federation of Small Businesses in Wales, described his relationship with the business community.
She said he established “an accessibility to Welsh Government” and its ministers for small businesses.
The Royal College of Nursing Wales director Tina Donnelly said: “Rhodri Morgan was a true Welshman and a staunch advocate of public services.
“He paid tribute to Welsh nurses after his heart surgery in 2007, calling them ‘the angels of the NHS.’
“He was a stalwart of the Welsh Labour movement but a pragmatist who understood that working together with people of all ideologies was the way to get things done.”
‘I’m proud to have considered Rhodri a friend’: Pages 6&7
A life in pictures: Pages 30&31