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Morgan to quit on 70th birthday Morgan to quit on 70th birthday
(20 minutes later)
First Minister Rhodri Morgan has revealed he will stand down around his 70th birthday on 29 September, 2009.First Minister Rhodri Morgan has revealed he will stand down around his 70th birthday on 29 September, 2009.
Mr Morgan, who is celebrating eight years as leader of the Welsh Assembly Government, had already announced he would give up the job next year.Mr Morgan, who is celebrating eight years as leader of the Welsh Assembly Government, had already announced he would give up the job next year.
But he has now put a more precise date on his departure, although he said that might change depending on the timing of the next Westminster general election.But he has now put a more precise date on his departure, although he said that might change depending on the timing of the next Westminster general election.
He will continue to be an AM until the next assembly election in May 2011.He will continue to be an AM until the next assembly election in May 2011.
Mr Morgan, 68, had a heart scare during protracted negotiations after the last assembly election.Mr Morgan, 68, had a heart scare during protracted negotiations after the last assembly election.
He underwent the surgery to open two partially-blocked arteries in July 2007, shortly after he and Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones agreed their coalition government.He underwent the surgery to open two partially-blocked arteries in July 2007, shortly after he and Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones agreed their coalition government.
A former civil servant educated at Harvard and Oxford, Mr Morgan took the job of first minister in February 2000 following a remarkable chain of events.A former civil servant educated at Harvard and Oxford, Mr Morgan took the job of first minister in February 2000 following a remarkable chain of events.
Following the devolution referendum, Mr Morgan challenged the then Welsh Secretary Ron Davies for the right to lead Labour in the first assembly elections.Following the devolution referendum, Mr Morgan challenged the then Welsh Secretary Ron Davies for the right to lead Labour in the first assembly elections.
He was beaten by Mr Davies, the man regarded as the architect of devolution.He was beaten by Mr Davies, the man regarded as the architect of devolution.
However following Mr Davies' "moment of madness" on Clapham Common and subsequent resignation, Mr Morgan stood again for the Welsh Labour leadership. However, following Mr Davies's "moment of madness" on Clapham Common and subsequent resignation, Mr Morgan stood again for the Welsh Labour leadership.
He was again beaten, this time by Alun Michael, who had succeeded Mr Davies as Welsh secretary.He was again beaten, this time by Alun Michael, who had succeeded Mr Davies as Welsh secretary.
However under Mr Michael's leadership, Labour failed to secure a majority in the 1999 assembly election. He stepped down after eight months in charge before facing a vote of confidence. But under Mr Michael's leadership, Labour failed to secure a majority in the 1999 assembly election. He stepped down after eight months in charge before facing a vote of confidence.
That left Mr Morgan to take the top job in Wales unopposed.That left Mr Morgan to take the top job in Wales unopposed.
Mr Morgan was MP for Cardiff West from 1987 - 2001. He became AM for Cardiff West at the first assembly election in 1999.Mr Morgan was MP for Cardiff West from 1987 - 2001. He became AM for Cardiff West at the first assembly election in 1999.