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| Carwyn Jones prepares for office | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| AMs are due to vote to elect new Welsh Labour leader Carwyn Jones as first minister for Wales in the next hour. | |
| Mr Jones's elevation to the post follows Rhodri Morgan's departure after nearly a decade in the job. | Mr Jones's elevation to the post follows Rhodri Morgan's departure after nearly a decade in the job. |
| Mr Morgan tendered his resignation to the Queen via e-mail, which has now been formally accepted, allowing assembly members to nominate Mr Jones. | |
| The Queen will be asked to confirm the appointment, allowing Mr Jones to be sworn in by a senior judge on Thursday. | |
| Mr Jones, a barrister by profession, is the AM for Bridgend and has held the posts of rural affairs minister and consul-general in Mr Morgan's administration. | Mr Jones, a barrister by profession, is the AM for Bridgend and has held the posts of rural affairs minister and consul-general in Mr Morgan's administration. |
| He has pledged to increase spending on education, describing it as the route out of poverty. | He has pledged to increase spending on education, describing it as the route out of poverty. |
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| Welsh Assembly | Welsh Assembly |
| He also hopes to end "perceptions of isolation" in west and north Wales. | He also hopes to end "perceptions of isolation" in west and north Wales. |
| Now Mr Morgan's resignation has been formally accepted, most special advisers have ceased to hold office, but Welsh ministers retain their jobs until an announcement on a new cabinet is made, which is expected to come on Thursday or Friday. | |
| Following Mr Morgan's official announcement of his resignation during First Minister's Question Time on Tuesday, leading politicians paid tribute to his achievements in office. | Following Mr Morgan's official announcement of his resignation during First Minister's Question Time on Tuesday, leading politicians paid tribute to his achievements in office. |
| Presiding officer Lord Elis Thomas said Mr Morgan had held the trust of the Welsh people and brought "dignity and your unique trait to the office". | Presiding officer Lord Elis Thomas said Mr Morgan had held the trust of the Welsh people and brought "dignity and your unique trait to the office". |
| Deputy First Minister and Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said he had shown "great integrity", adding: "There's no doubt his contribution will be recognised by the history books." | Deputy First Minister and Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said he had shown "great integrity", adding: "There's no doubt his contribution will be recognised by the history books." |
| Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams said: "His commitment to Welsh society and political life cannot be questioned." | Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams said: "His commitment to Welsh society and political life cannot be questioned." |
| Nick Bourne, Welsh Conservatives leader, praised Mr Morgan on his "outstanding contribution to Welsh life" and said he looked forward to his sizeable contributions from the back benches. | Nick Bourne, Welsh Conservatives leader, praised Mr Morgan on his "outstanding contribution to Welsh life" and said he looked forward to his sizeable contributions from the back benches. |
| Mr Morgan said his time in power had elapsed "in the blinking of an eye" but it was "time to hand the baton to my successor". | Mr Morgan said his time in power had elapsed "in the blinking of an eye" but it was "time to hand the baton to my successor". |