Rhodri Morgan statue unveiled in Cardiff
Our man on the ground, Cllr William (Bill) Powell, attended the unveiling of the Rhodri Morgan statue at the Pierhead in Cardiff.
Rhodri Morgan was the First Minister of Wales from 2000-2009 and steered the country through the initial growing pains of devolution.
Championing a ‘clear red water’ policy for Welsh Labour that focused on social democracy and universal services. He made a conscious decision to distance Welsh Labour from many of the policies of the Westminster Labour Government. Seen as ‘Old Labour’, he was a Welsh speaker and a long-standing advocate of Welsh devolution.
As our first and longest-serving First Minister*, he was a trailblazer unafraid to work with other parties. Between 2001 and 2003, he presided over a coalition Government with the Welsh Liberal Democrats and in 2007 he headed another coalition, this time with Plaid Cymru.
Following his death in 2017, he was lauded as the ‘father of devolution’ and ‘father of our nation’; his funeral was attended by over 500 people from across the political spectrum.
Soon after, calls were raised for a statue of the ‘father of our nation’ and his unique contribution to Cymru. On 9 July 2026, the statue was unveiled by the former First Minister Mark Drakeford.
Paying his own tribute, Bill said: ‘What a fantastic tribute to Rhodri, who was in every sense a legend in his own time.’
The Chair of the Lloyd George Society, Prof. Russell Deacon, added: ‘One of the greatest Welsh politicians of all time! It was a pleasure to know him and spend time in his company!’
This is a perfect tribute to our First Minister, and Wales/Cymru has a lot to thank him for.
*note: Prior to October 2001, the position of First Minister did not exist and was previously titled First Secretary of Wales.
