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CABINET ANNOUNCED

Posted by Tom Bodden on May 31, 2007 2:59 PM | 

Carl Sargeant
First Minister Rhodri Morgan unveiled his new-look Cabinet for the Welsh Assembly Government’s third term.
There was a thorough shake-up of some old familiar names in a slimline top team.
Alyn and Deeside AM Carl Sargeant (pictured left) becomes Chief Whip and deputy business minister.
UPDATE: Mr Sargeant dismisses criticism of the lack of a North Wales AM in the full cabinet thus: "I'll be making sure we have a North Wales voice at the cabinet table."
The Tories' Nick Bourne isn't so sure: “This is the cabinet of Labour's Glamorgan mafia."
Neither is Lib Dem's Mike German: “There are no new faces and no new ideas in this M4 corridor cabinet."
Plaid's Rhodri Glyn Thomas: “We have here the same old tired faces; it is unlikely this cabinet will contain renewed ambition for Wales to go with the new powers of the Assembly.”

Full details are here.
Mr Morgan said: "This new Cabinet has been designed to tackle the biggest challenges facing Wales including climate change, child poverty and regeneration of our disadvantaged communities.
"NHS reconfiguration and Welsh Medium Education will also be major issues where we will be seeking to reach a consensus on a cross-party basis.
“The Cabinet has been reduced in number from nine to seven Ministers by drawing on the experience of the previous Cabinet, but with new responsibilities for every ministry.
“The third Assembly presents us with new opportunities including new legislative powers and the need to deliver an ambitious policy programme that can tackle our most difficult problems.
"The team I am announcing today is experienced enough to meet those challenges, while reaching out to others in building a coherent, progressive consensus to take forward policies where there is significant overlap between the manifesto commitments of other parties with ours.
“The virtue of the new Cabinet is that it represents a major refresh of almost every portfolio with roles occupied by Ministers completely new to those roles.
"They will bring a new impetus and energy to driving forward our policy programme in co-operation with others across the Assembly where we are of like mind.
"I am confident that this approach will receive a positive response from parties who have expressed a need for greater co-operation because it is in the interests of Wales.
"When the Assembly nominated me as First Minister last Friday, I emphasised my wish to help build a progressive consensus in the Assembly, around specific policies and programmes.
“Today's announcement demonstrates our commitment to creating the right conditions for inter-party greater cooperation to take forward Wales.”


 

Comments (4)

Matt Wright wrote...

Presumably the only "safe" Labour AMs seat in North Wales is now Carl's. Bless him.

Matt Wright

Posted by: Matt Wright  | May 31, 2007 9:44 PM

Tom wrote...

Rhodri was telling BBC Radio Wales this morning that he chose the cabinet on the basis of his 'big hitters' rather than on geography.
That would suggest that he considers there to be no big hitter outside of the south yet worthy of promotion to his top team. The deputy ministers - Carl apart - are south-centric too.
But why leave two cabinet posts vacant?
Surely he isn't still hopeful of a regime change within the Lib Dems throwing up a fresh opportunity - or of some new deal with Plaid Cymru?

Posted by: Tom  | June 1, 2007 8:43 AM

mumph wrote...

Leaving two seats in the Cabinet as a hook for the Lib Dems is totally missing the point. The fact is- Rhoders could have appointed twelve ministers had he wanted.
Is he looking to snipper off rebels fron opposing parties like Kirsty and Helen Mary?

Posted by: mumph  | June 2, 2007 12:58 AM

Tom wrote...

You're right mumph up to a point.
Rhodri tells me he was 'rationalising' the cabinet.
The SNP-led government in Scotland had just SIX ministers in it, suggesting Wales could survive on four. (Only joking)
Rhodri insisted on a cabinet of his 'big hitters'.
Is Labour so short of big htters that it can't muster 9, or is Rhodri keeping his 'most trusted' and experienced 6 closest to him as the pressure comes on the minority adminstration?

Posted by: Tom  | June 3, 2007 1:00 PM

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Welcome to ‘Gog in the Bay’, the occasional diary of a political journalist. My name is Tom Bodden, the Welsh Affairs Correspondent of The Daily Post, which is North Wales’ best selling newspaper. I am based full-time at the National Assembly for Wales in Cardiff Bay.

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