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Morgan faces last AMs' questions Morgan tenders his resignation
(about 3 hours later)
Rhodri Morgan has answered his final first minister's questions in the Welsh assembly chamber, receiving a standing ovation from AMs. Rhodri Morgan has told the Welsh assembly he has tendered his resignation as first minister to the Queen after nearly 10 years in the job.
Welsh Conservative leader Nick Bourne paid tribute to the "panache" he had brought to public office". He said the "self confidence" Wales had achieved over the previous decade "bodes well" for the next 20 years.
Mr Morgan is due to formally tender his resignation to the Queen later, ending his 10 years in the top job in Wales. Welsh Conservatives paid tribute to Mr Morgan's "outstanding contribution to Welsh public life".
AMs are expected to nominate new Welsh Labour leader Carwyn Jones to take over as first minister on Wednesday.AMs are expected to nominate new Welsh Labour leader Carwyn Jones to take over as first minister on Wednesday.
Mr Morgan is to make his resignation statement at the end of Tuesday's assembly session, and formally resign to the Queen by e-mail, followed by a hard copy in the post. Mr Morgan thanked his wife, children and grandchildren for their support, and said 10 years had elapsed "in the blinking of an eye".
His statement will be made after a vote on the assembly government's final budget for 2010-11. He said Wales had been "learning to walk before it could run" and he believed the assembly had shown "it is able to take the next step" but that it was the people who would decide whether it should take on further powers.
His last 24 hours in the post began with the announcement of the BBC Wales sports personality of the year award, which went to Wales football legend Ryan Giggs. Mr Morgan said that after laying the "foundation stones" it was time to "pass the baton to my successor".
Mr Morgan called Giggs "a fantastic role model". Deputy First Minister and Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said Mr Morgan would be "greatly missed" after making "an immense contribution to Wales".
It was a few weeks before, on 1 October, that Mr Morgan announced his departure.
RHODRI MORGAN Born: 29 Sept, 1939, CardiffEducated: Oxford, HarvardCareer: civil servant; Cardiff West MP 1987 - 2001; Cardiff West AM 1999 - 2009; Welsh first minister 2000 - 2009Family: Married Julie, 1967, two daughters, one sonQuote: "Does a one-legged duck swim in circles?" (Winner of the Plain English Campaign's Foot in Mouth award)RHODRI MORGAN Born: 29 Sept, 1939, CardiffEducated: Oxford, HarvardCareer: civil servant; Cardiff West MP 1987 - 2001; Cardiff West AM 1999 - 2009; Welsh first minister 2000 - 2009Family: Married Julie, 1967, two daughters, one sonQuote: "Does a one-legged duck swim in circles?" (Winner of the Plain English Campaign's Foot in Mouth award)
Tributes will be paid from political friends and foes alike to a man who succeeded Alun Michael in February 2000. "He has shown great integrity as first minister and there's no doubt his contribution will be recognised by the history books," said Mr Jones.
Mr Morgan, who has called the role a "privilege", said: "I have loved this job for the past nine-and-a-half years, I still love this job." "Wales' democracy now has more solid foundations because of Rhodri's leadership.
Following his resignation, the first minister, the counsel general - first minister-in-waiting Carwyn Jones - and all government special advisers cease to hold office. "He has truly bridged political parties, people and two different periods of our nation's political history.
"While his time as first minister is now at an end, I'm sure Rhodri will continue to play a significant role in public life," he added.
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams said: "Over the past decade, Rhodri Morgan has held Welsh Labour together and successfully steered Wales towards a devolved parliament.
"His commitment to Welsh society and political life cannot be questioned.
But she added: "Rhodri leaves his successor, Carwyn Jones, a Welsh nation facing unprecedented challenges.
"With an economy in crisis and public spending set to nose dive, Rhodri seems to have chosen just the right time to leave."
Mr Morgan made is resignation statement at the end of Tuesday's assembly session, and formally resigned to the Queen by e-mail, followed by a hard copy in the post.
The speech came after AMs agreed the assembly government's final budget for 2010-11.
Mr Morgan announced his departure on 1 October.
Once his resignation is formally accepted by the Queen, the first minister, the counsel general - first minister-in-waiting Carwyn Jones - and all government special advisers cease to hold office.
But Welsh ministers, including deputy ministers, remain in office until a new cabinet is appointed by Mr Jones, who won the Labour election last week.But Welsh ministers, including deputy ministers, remain in office until a new cabinet is appointed by Mr Jones, who won the Labour election last week.
A plenary session of the assembly is held on Wednesday, when it will go to a vote of all assembly members.A plenary session of the assembly is held on Wednesday, when it will go to a vote of all assembly members.
The presiding officer Lord Elis Thomas will then make a recommendation to the Queen, again via e-mail, who then returns her approval - and then the first minister is required to take the oath on Thursday, administered by a senior judge.The presiding officer Lord Elis Thomas will then make a recommendation to the Queen, again via e-mail, who then returns her approval - and then the first minister is required to take the oath on Thursday, administered by a senior judge.
Mr Morgan said he intended to spend more time with his family as well as walking the dog and digging the allotment.Mr Morgan said he intended to spend more time with his family as well as walking the dog and digging the allotment.