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Morgan tenders his resignation Party tributes as Morgan resigns
(29 minutes later)
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. Rhodri Morgan has tendered his resignation as first minister to the Queen after nearly 10 years in the job, and received all-party tributes.
He said the "self confidence" Wales had achieved over the previous decade "bodes well" for the next 20 years.He said the "self confidence" Wales had achieved over the previous decade "bodes well" for the next 20 years.
Welsh Conservatives paid tribute to Mr Morgan's "outstanding contribution to Welsh public life". The Conservatives said Mr Morgan, 70, had made an "outstanding contribution".
Presiding officer Lord Elis Thomas said he had kept the trust of the Welsh people and brought a "dignity and your unique trait to the office".
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 thanked his wife, children and grandchildren for their support, and said 10 years had elapsed "in the blinking of an eye". Mr Morgan's wife, children and grandchildren were watching his final speech in the top job in Welsh politics in the public gallery.
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. First Minister Rhodri Morgan formally announced his resignation and received applause
Mr Morgan said that after laying the "foundation stones" it was time to "pass the baton to my successor". Thanking them for their support, he said 10 years had elapsed "in the blinking of an eye".
He told AMs 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 it was the people who would decide whether it should take on further powers.
Under Labour's coalition deal with Plaid Cymru, Mr Morgan's successor is committed to holding a referendum on the issue on or before elections in 2011 if it is winnable.
The two parties rowed over the possible timetable for such a poll two weeks ago.
Mr Morgan said he hoped his successor "will be able to say more" about the powers issue "in the New Year".
He said that after laying the "foundation stones" it was time to "pass the baton to my successor".
Deputy First Minister and Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said Mr Morgan would be "greatly missed" after making "an immense contribution to Wales".Deputy First Minister and Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said Mr Morgan would be "greatly missed" after making "an immense contribution to Wales".
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)
"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."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.
"Wales' democracy now has more solid foundations because of Rhodri's leadership."Wales' democracy now has more solid foundations because of Rhodri's leadership.
"He has truly bridged political parties, people and two different periods of our nation's political history. "He has truly bridged political parties, people and two different periods of our nation's political history," he added.
"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.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. "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. Assembly Presiding Officer Dafydd Elis Thomas told Mr Morgan "you brought dignity and your unique trait to the office" of first minister.
"With an economy in crisis and public spending set to nose dive, Rhodri seems to have chosen just the right time to leave." "To us as a national assembly and especially to me as presiding officer you created the distinction between parliament and government, and led us through two minority governments and a number of coalitions to the greener pastures of legislative power.
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. "All this without losing sight of the holy grail of politics that is keeping the trust of the people."
The speech came after AMs agreed the assembly government's final budget for 2010-11. Welsh Secretary Peter Hain described Mr Morgan as "a true Welsh icon".
"His intellect, amazing capacity to recall information and minutest detail, combined with natural charm, enthusiasm and easy-going personality, have ensured his unique and enduring popularity."
Mr Morgan made his 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 had agreed the assembly government's final budget for 2010-11.
Mr Morgan announced his departure on 1 October.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. Once his resignation is formally accepted by the Queen, the first minister, the counsel general - first minister-in-waiting Carwyn Jones - and most 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.