Some observations…
Thu 10 Dec 2009 By Daran Hill The Hearth
The new Welsh Assembly Government
This is the most significant change of Labour front bench personnel since Rhodri Morgan’s more incremental alterations of 2000 when, over three reshuffles, half the Cabinet was replaced. Since that time it has remained relatively stable in terms of Labour personalities, even if the portfolios changed.
The winners in this reshuffle are generally those who actively supported Carwyn Jones AM. New Education Minister Leighton Andrews AM was his campaign manager, and Carl Sargent AM played a key role in his team as well as being an effective Chief Whip in recent years. Both have proven their value as Deputy Minister and Chief Whip respectively in recent years. Lesley Griffiths AM and John Griffiths AM were also key supporters of his campaign.
Janice Gregory AM is a close personal friend and key supporter of Edwina Hart AM and her arrival as Chief Whip signals support to the new leader and his team. Janice has previous experience of being a whip in earlier Assemblies. She is also the current chair of the Labour group and will need to stand down from this role.
Including Huw Lewis AM in the Welsh Assembly Government is a significant act. He unsuccessfully contested the Labour leadership and this also shows a sign of different groups in the party coming together. His child poverty portfolio allows him to put into action ideas on the policy area he is most concerned with.
Both Jane Hutt AM and Edwina Hart AM are now the only survivors of the original Cabinet created back in May 1999. Carwyn Jones AM and Jane Davidson AM joined the Cabinet in 2000. The other three Labour Cabinet members are all new entrants today.
The Labour team in government now contains a more geographically diverse representation, with ministerial representation from North East Wales.
Structural Change
This is a significant change not just to the personnel of the Welsh Assembly Government but also the structure of the Government. The key points are:
Merging the roles of Finance Minister and Business Minister returns the Cabinet to the situation of the brief minority government of 2007, when Jane Hutt AM also held this combined post.
Two new Deputy Ministers have been appointed following portfolio changes creating two new portfolios. Lesley Griffiths as Deputy Minister for Skills, Innovation and Science spans responsibilities in both the Economic Development and Education departments; while Huw Lewis as Deputy Minister for Children will have particular responsibility for co-ordination of Government matters relating to child poverty.
Jocelyn Davies AM takes on responsibility for Regeneration as well as Housing. This is the only significant change between Labour and Plaid responsibilities so far announced.
Tagged as: Carwyn Jones, Welsh Assembly Government
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