First Minister of Wales - Definition and Overview

The First Minister of Wales is the leader of the Welsh Assembly Government, Wales's devolved administration. When initially set up under the Government of Wales Act 1998, the title was known as First Secretary (in Welsh Prif Ysgrifennig), as Wales was given a less powerful assembly and executive than Northern Ireland and Scotland. This was also attributed to the fact that the Welsh term for First Minister Prif Weinidog, also translates as Prime Minister, and when told this, Prime Minister Tony Blair objected to its use.

This change of title occurred after the Liberal Democrats formed a coalition government with Labour in the Welsh Assembly in October 2000.

First Secretary

• Alun Michael (1999–2000)

First Minister

• Rhodri Morgan (2000–)

Deputy First Minister

• Michael German (Lib Dem) (2000–2003)