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Morgan is stepping down as leader Morgan is stepping down as leader
(10 minutes later)
First Minister Rhodri Morgan has announced he is stepping down as Labour's top man in Wales.First Minister Rhodri Morgan has announced he is stepping down as Labour's top man in Wales.
His decision signals the end of a decade at the top of Welsh politics for Mr Morgan, who turned 70 this week.His decision signals the end of a decade at the top of Welsh politics for Mr Morgan, who turned 70 this week.
Mr Morgan said he had "loved this job" but said "10 years was about right". Prime Minister Gordon Brown said his achievement had been "historic".Mr Morgan said he had "loved this job" but said "10 years was about right". Prime Minister Gordon Brown said his achievement had been "historic".
He plans to step down as Labour assembly leader in December after a vote on the assembly government budget.He plans to step down as Labour assembly leader in December after a vote on the assembly government budget.
Mr Morgan, who succeeded Alun Michael as First Minister in 2000, heads the Welsh assembly government, which has seen Labour in coalition with Plaid Cymru since the 2007 election.Mr Morgan, who succeeded Alun Michael as First Minister in 2000, heads the Welsh assembly government, which has seen Labour in coalition with Plaid Cymru since the 2007 election.
Two days after celebrating his 70th birthday with a cake at his office in Cardiff, Mr Morgan triggered the race for his successor.Two days after celebrating his 70th birthday with a cake at his office in Cardiff, Mr Morgan triggered the race for his successor.
Rhodri Morgan celebrated his 70th birthday this week with a cake Tributes to 'great Welsh leader' Morgan's bumpy path to the top A steadied ship or a missed boat? Betsan's blog: Morgan's 'remarkable' popularityRhodri Morgan celebrated his 70th birthday this week with a cake Tributes to 'great Welsh leader' Morgan's bumpy path to the top A steadied ship or a missed boat? Betsan's blog: Morgan's 'remarkable' popularity
Mr Morgan, who earlier met Labour AMs, told a media conference: "It is never a right time to go but this is the nearest in terms of good governance, combating swine flu, 'settling' the budget, and combating the recession."Mr Morgan, who earlier met Labour AMs, told a media conference: "It is never a right time to go but this is the nearest in terms of good governance, combating swine flu, 'settling' the budget, and combating the recession."
"I have loved this job for the past nine-and-a-half years, I still love this job.""I have loved this job for the past nine-and-a-half years, I still love this job."
Mr Morgan added that he did not want to be "greedy" for power and to be forced out as Margaret Thatcher had been.Mr Morgan added that he did not want to be "greedy" for power and to be forced out as Margaret Thatcher had been.
He told a story about his six-year-old grandson who was asked by his friends whether his grandfather was standing down as first football manager or first rugby manager of Wales and his grandchild replied, "Both".He told a story about his six-year-old grandson who was asked by his friends whether his grandfather was standing down as first football manager or first rugby manager of Wales and his grandchild replied, "Both".
Mr Morgan said that was true and it had been a "burden".Mr Morgan said that was true and it had been a "burden".
He said his biggest success was the new Scandinavian type education curriculum for three to seven-year-olds (the foundation phase).He said his biggest success was the new Scandinavian type education curriculum for three to seven-year-olds (the foundation phase).
Rhodri Morgan AM said the time was right to go after nearly a decade as First MinisterRhodri Morgan AM said the time was right to go after nearly a decade as First Minister
"Ten years ago we would not have had the power or the confidence"."Ten years ago we would not have had the power or the confidence".
But he said for the public the biggest success would be free bus passes for pensioners, while his biggest disappointment was the "savagery of the recession" has hit the Welsh economy.But he said for the public the biggest success would be free bus passes for pensioners, while his biggest disappointment was the "savagery of the recession" has hit the Welsh economy.
Mr Morgan arrived for the meeting with his party's AMs just after 1230 BST and a formal announcement was made afterwards.Mr Morgan arrived for the meeting with his party's AMs just after 1230 BST and a formal announcement was made afterwards.
The timetable of his departure centres on discussions on the assembly government later this year.The timetable of his departure centres on discussions on the assembly government later this year.
On 8 December, the budget for 2010-2011 is due to be voted on by AMs and Mr Morgan wanted to stay in post until that date.On 8 December, the budget for 2010-2011 is due to be voted on by AMs and Mr Morgan wanted to stay in post until that date.
'Passionate Welshman''Passionate Welshman'
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said his achievement had been "historic".Prime Minister Gordon Brown said his achievement had been "historic".
He said: "I think all of us who know Rhodri understand his devotion and passion for serving the people of Wales.He said: "I think all of us who know Rhodri understand his devotion and passion for serving the people of Wales.
"For a decade he has led Wales with boundless energy and commitment - improving the public services, economy and prospects of people across Wales."For a decade he has led Wales with boundless energy and commitment - improving the public services, economy and prospects of people across Wales.
"It is in no small part because of Rhodri's leadership that devolution to Wales continues to be so successful. He has been a great support to me and will depart with my very grateful thanks and that of the whole Cabinet and Labour Party.""It is in no small part because of Rhodri's leadership that devolution to Wales continues to be so successful. He has been a great support to me and will depart with my very grateful thanks and that of the whole Cabinet and Labour Party."
Welsh Secretary Peter Hain added that Mr Morgan was "a great Welsh political leader with a unique popular touch".Welsh Secretary Peter Hain added that Mr Morgan was "a great Welsh political leader with a unique popular touch".
Mr Hain said: "Admired and respected for his courageous, intelligent and sometimes quirky leadership, he has the rare ability to be equally at home whether it be meeting world leaders or talking rugby over a pint in a pub."Mr Hain said: "Admired and respected for his courageous, intelligent and sometimes quirky leadership, he has the rare ability to be equally at home whether it be meeting world leaders or talking rugby over a pint in a pub."
"A passionate Welshman, but also a passionate Briton," he said."A passionate Welshman, but also a passionate Briton," he said.
"Rhodri will depart at the top of his game, leaving big shoes to fill as the father of Welsh devolution.""Rhodri will depart at the top of his game, leaving big shoes to fill as the father of Welsh devolution."
The election to find a successor would not start until a timetable has been set by the Welsh executive committee, said Garry Owen, chair of Welsh Labour.The election to find a successor would not start until a timetable has been set by the Welsh executive committee, said Garry Owen, chair of Welsh Labour.
It is widely expected the contenders to take over as leader of the Labour group in the assembly - and First Minister - will include three leading AMs - Counsel General Carwyn Jones, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney AM Huw Lewis, and Health Minister Edwina Hart.It is widely expected the contenders to take over as leader of the Labour group in the assembly - and First Minister - will include three leading AMs - Counsel General Carwyn Jones, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney AM Huw Lewis, and Health Minister Edwina Hart.
Mr Morgan said he would not be endorsing a candidate in the forthcoming leadership election.Mr Morgan said he would not be endorsing a candidate in the forthcoming leadership election.
"I will be neutral... It will be the first Labour campaign in the last 48 years that I have not been involved in," he added."I will be neutral... It will be the first Labour campaign in the last 48 years that I have not been involved in," he added.
But would continue to campaign for the party but hoped standing down would give him "more time on the allotment and time for woodcarving".But would continue to campaign for the party but hoped standing down would give him "more time on the allotment and time for woodcarving".
The Conservative leader in the assembly Nick Bourne called for a quick resolution of the battle to succeed Mr Morgan.The Conservative leader in the assembly Nick Bourne called for a quick resolution of the battle to succeed Mr Morgan.
"No-one can question his commitment to Wales and the assembly during his 10 years as First Minister, or the important role he has played in Welsh political life," said Mr Bourne."No-one can question his commitment to Wales and the assembly during his 10 years as First Minister, or the important role he has played in Welsh political life," said Mr Bourne.
"What is important now is that at a time of economic crisis the assembly has leadership, vision, and direction.""What is important now is that at a time of economic crisis the assembly has leadership, vision, and direction."