The first Morgan government was formed on 16 October 2000^[1] by Rhodri Morgan and a was a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats, it was officially referred to as the 'Coalition Partnership' . It was preceded by the Interim Morgan administration, a Labour minority administration headed by Rhodri Morgan between February and October 2000.

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Quick Facts Date formed, Date dissolved ...

First Morgan government
3rd devolved administration of Wales
2000–2003
Date formed	16 October 2000
Date dissolved	1 May 2003
People and organisations
Monarch	Elizabeth II
First Minister	Rhodri Morgan
Deputy First Minister	Michael German (2000-2001), (2002-2003) Acting Deputy First Minister: Jenny Randerson (2002-2003)
Member parties	Labour   Liberal Democrats
Status in legislature	Majority (coalition) 34 / 60 (57%)
Opposition party	Plaid Cymru
Opposition leader	Ieuan Wyn Jones
History
Outgoing election	2003 general election
Legislature term(s)	1st National Assembly for Wales
Predecessor	Interim Morgan administration
Successor	Second Morgan government

Close

This was the first devolved government of Wales to use the term "Welsh Assembly Government" rather than "Assembly Administration" to describe itself.^[2] It was also the first to use the term "minister" rather than "secretary" when referring to members of the government; the position of First Secretary was retitled First Minister while the title of Assembly Secretary (or simply Secretary) was replaced with Minister.^[3]

Rhodri Morgan became First Secretary of Wales on 15 February 2000,^[4] between February and October 2000 and headed up a minority government with 28 of the Assembly's 60 seats. The unstable nature of the then minority government was of concern and was always viewed as temporary and Labour had mooted looking for a coalition partner following their persevered poor showing in the 1999 election.^[5]

Developments quickly occurred during the autumn of 2000 culminating in Tom Middlehurst resigning as Secretary for post-16 education on 9 October claiming he could not “contemplate sitting down at the Cabinet table with the Liberal Democrats”.^[6]

The six Liberal Democrat seats was an attractive offer to Labour and following a special conference by both parties a coalition was agreed upon.

A new coalition government (officially referred to as the Coalition Partnership) was officially announced on 5 October 2000 with policy details emerging the day later. Cabinet Ministers were then appointed on 16 October and Deputies on 17 October. That government lasted until the 2003 election.

Changes:

• Andrew Davies, Minister for Economic Development and Transport from 2002.
• Carwyn Jones, Minister for Assembly Business from 2002-03 in addition to the agriculture portfolio.
• Jenny Randerson, Acting Deputy First Minister from July 2001 to June 2002 in addition to the culture portfolio.
• Michael German, Deputy First Minister and Minister for Rural Affairs and Wales Abroad June 2002 to May 2003.

Deputy Ministers prior to the enactment of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (enactment and legal separation takes place on appointment of the First Minister, post-May 2007) are not officially part of the Government, and not in Cabinet. From May 2007, Deputy Welsh Ministers are part of the Welsh Assembly Government, but not in Cabinet.