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First Minister for Wales
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The First Minister (Welsh: 'Prif Weinidog') is the leader of the Welsh Assembly Government, Wales' devolved administration, which was established in 1999. When initially set up under the Government of Wales Act 1998, the title was known as First Secretary (in Welsh Prif Ysgrifennydd), as Wales was given a less powerful assembly and executive than Northern Ireland and Scotland. This was also attributed to the fact that the Welsh term for First Minister, Prif Weinidog, also translates as Prime Minister, so a different title was chosen to avoid confusion with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
The official office of the First Minister is in Crickhowell House and the Senedd in Cardiff Bay, however, an office is also kept at the Welsh Assembly Government building in Cathays Park.
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Under the arrangements in the Government of Wales Act, 1998, executive functions are conferred on the National Assembly for Wales and then separately delegated to the First Minister and to other Cabinet Ministers and staff as appropriate. Until the Government of Wales Act 2006 these were delegated powers of the UK government. Since that Act came into force in May 2007 however the First Minister will be appointed by the Crown and will represent the Crown in Wales. Whilst this will have little practical difference it is a huge symbolic shift as for the first time in centuries the head of government in Wales will be appointed by the Crown on the advice of the elected representatives of the Welsh people. This makes Wales equal in status to Scotland and Northern Ireland within the devolved structures of the UK, although it still does not yet make its own Acts of Parliament.
This change of title from First Secretary to First Minister, occurred after the Welsh Liberal Democrats formed a coalition government with Labour in the Welsh Assembly in October 2000. The Government of Wales Bill (2006) allowed for the post to be officially known as the First Minister and also made the First Minister, Keeper of the Welsh Seal.
The First Minister will subsequently appoint the Welsh Ministers, Deputy Welsh Ministers and the Counsel General for Wales (collectively known as the Welsh Assembly Government), with the approval of Her Majesty.
Following separation between the legislative and the executive on the enactment of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (upon appointment of the First Minister, May 25, 2007), the Welsh Ministers will exercise functions in their own right and further transfers of executive functions from the UK Government will be made directly to the Welsh Ministers (with their consent) by an Order in Council approved by Parliament.
The First Minister is Accountable/Responsible for:
- Exercise of functions by the Cabinet of the Welsh Assembly Government.
- Policy development and coordination of policy.
- The relationships with the rest of the United Kingdom, Europe and Wales Abroad.
- Staffing/Civil Service
As yet, the First Minister for Wales does not possess an official residence as his/her counterpart does in Scotland and the United Kingdom (UK).
The Office of the First Minister provides day-to-day support to the Assembly’s First Minister and Cabinet. It also looks after the Welsh Assembly Government’s international interests and responsibilities. It is staffed by about 100 people, whose functions are outlined below:
Provides secretarial and administrative support to the First Minister. Its main responsibilities are to:
- manage the flow of policy advice to the First Minister
- communicate the First Minister’s decisions to officials
- ensure the First Minister is kept appropriately informed of developments in other portfolio areas
- manage the First Minister’s diary and correspondence
- commission briefings
- accompany the First Minister at meetings and on visits
Its staff also includes seven special advisers, each specialising in a specific policy area.
Co-ordinates Assembly Government business and the Legislative Timetable. It consists of two teams:
The Plenary Business Team – deals with oral and written questions to the First Minister and other Ministers and statements by them; supports Ministers in debates in the Assembly’s twice-weekly Plenary sessions in the Senedd.
The Subordinate Legislation Team – handles and timetables all subordinate legislation that the Assembly makes; advises on the procedures to be followed; co-ordinates and quality controls all the papers relating to legislation for consideration by the Business Committee.
The Cabinet Secretariat supports the Assembly’s Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers who assist them. Most Cabinet Secretariat staff work in Ministers’ Private Office Teams, which include a Private Secretary, Assistant Private Secretary, Diary Secretary, Correspondence Clerk, and administrative support personnel. Their main responsibilities are to:
- manage the flow of policy advice to Ministers
- communicate Ministers’ decisions to officials
- manage Ministers’ diaries and correspondence
- commission briefings
- accompany Ministers at meetings and on visits
The Cabinet Unit of the division assists and advises the Cabinet when they meet collectively and supports the six Cabinet sub-committees.
The divisions’ Corporate Unit supports in administrative areas that include finance, human resources, and training. It also manages the Ministerial car service.
Advises and supports the Assembly in all its work with the European Union. It also works internationally on the Assembly’s behalf in the following areas:
- Public diplomacy issues and international relations – liaising with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, providing diplomatic advice, and advancing Wales’s interests internationally.
- Promotional activity – presenting and maintaining a positive and consistent image of Wales as a place to live, work, study, visit, and do business.
- Overseas events – organising high-profile international events to showcase what Wales has to offer.
- Inward visits – arranging visits to Wales by overseas diplomats, politicians, and VIPs.
| Name | Picture | Entered office | Left office | Political party | Government | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alun Michael |  |
12 May 1999 | 9 February 2000 | Labour | Labour | |
| Rhodri Morgan | 9 February 2000 (acting) | 16 October 2000 | Labour | Labour | ||
| Name | Picture | Entered office | Left office | Political party | Government | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhodri Morgan | October 16, 2000 | May 8, 2003 | Labour | Labour/Liberal Democrat Coalition | ||
| Rhodri Morgan | May 8, 2003 | May 25, 2007 | Labour | Labour | ||
| Rhodri Morgan | May 25, 2007 | July 11, 2007 | Labour | Labour (minority) | ||
| Rhodri Morgan | July 11, 2007 | Labour | Labour/Plaid Cymru Coalition | |||
| Name | Picture | Entered office | Left office | Political party | Government | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael German |  |
16 October 2000 | 6 July 2001 | Liberal Democrats | Labour/Liberal Democrat Coalition | |
| Jenny Randerson (acting) |  |
6 July 2001 | 13 June 2002 | Liberal Democrats | Labour/Liberal Democrat Coalition | |
| Michael German | |
13 June 2002 | 8 May 2003 | Liberal Democrats | Labour/Liberal Democrat Coalition | |
| Ieuan Wyn Jones |  |
11 July 2007 | Plaid Cymru | Labour/Plaid Cymru Coalition | ||
The Office of the First Minister, Welsh Assembly Government
- Dates are from World Statesmen and various BBC News Online articles from 1999 to 2003.