The second Rhodri Morgan government (2003–2007) was a Labour government in Wales.
Having won 30 out of the 60 seats available in the 2003 election and with the non-voting Presiding Officer and Deputy both coming from the opposition,Plaid Cymru and the John Marek Independent Party respectively the Labour party were able to form a majority government with 30 seats to the opposition's 28 with Rhodri Morgan continuing as First Minister.
This majority continued until Peter Law left Labour in 2005 to sit as an independent on the opposition benches, giving the government 29 and the opposition (excluding the Presiding Officer and Deputy) 29.
Two members of the National Assembly were elected to the UK Parliament at the 2005 UK general election (David Davies and Peter Law) reducing the collective strength of the opposition for day-to-day business. The final budget of this Assembly term passed following an agreement with Plaid during which their 11 voting members abstained.
Cabinet
Office PortraitName Term PartyFirst MinisterRhodri Morgan2003–2005LabourMinister for Assembly Business Chief WhipKaren Sinclair2003–2005LabourMinister for Culture, Welsh Language and SportAlun Pugh2003–2005LabourMinister for Economic Development and TransportAndrew Davies2003–2005LabourMinister for EducationJane Davidson2003–2005LabourMinister for Environment and Rural AffairsCarwyn Jones2003–2005LabourMinister for Finance and Local GovernmentSue Essex2003–2005LabourMinister for Health & Social CareJane Hutt2003–2005LabourMinister for Social Justice and RegenerationEdwina Hart2003–2005Labour
Junior ministers
Office PortraitName Term PartyDeputy Minister for Economic Development and TransportDr. Brian Gibbons2007LabourDeputy Minister for Health and Social CareJohn Griffiths2007LabourDeputy Minister for Social Justice and RegenerationHuw Lewis2007Labour
September 2005 Re-shuffle
Following a mid-term re-shuffle in September 2005 Jane Hutt was removed from her post as Health and Social Care Minister after controversy over long waiting lists and criticism from AMs to Minister for Assembly Business along with the additional responsibilities of Equalities & Children. Karen Sinclair remained as Chief Whip to the Labour party allowing her to stay in the cabinet as an observer.
Further changes were the promotion of Brian Gibbons from a junior minister to Minister for Health & Social Care, along with the promotion of Tamsin Dunwoody & Christine Chapman to Deputy Ministers and a few minor changes to existing members roles.
Cabinet
Office PortraitName Term PartyFirst MinisterRhodri Morgan2005–2007LabourMinister for Assembly Business, Equalities & ChildrenJane Hutt2005–2007LabourMinister for Culture, Welsh Language and SportAlun Pugh2005–2007LabourMinister for Enterprise, Innovation and NetworksAndrew Davies2005–2007LabourMinister for Education, Lifelong Learning & SkillsJane Davidson2005–2007LabourMinister for Environment, Planning and CountrysideCarwyn Jones2005–2007LabourMinister for Finance, Local Government and Public ServicesSue Essex2005–2007LabourMinister for Health & Social CareBrian Gibbons2005–2007LabourMinister for Social Justice and RegenerationEdwina Hart2005–2007Labour Office holders given special provisions to attend CabinetChief WhipKaren Sinclair2005–2007Labour
Junior ministers
Office PortraitName Term PartyDeputy Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks and for Environment, Planning & CountrysideTamsin Dunwoody2005–2007LabourDeputy Minister for Finance, Local Government & Public Services & Education, Lifelong Learning & SkillsChristine Chapman2005–2007LabourDeputy Minister for Health & Social Services (Older People & Public Health)John Griffiths2005–2007LabourDeputy Minister for Social Justice & Regeneration (Communities)Huw Lewis2005–2007Labour
See also List of Welsh Assembly Governments 2003 National Assembly for Wales election Members of the 2nd National Assembly for Wales
References