Diolch, Llywydd. On behalf of Plaid Cymru, I’d like to express my condolences to Julie and the family, and to fellow party members, colleagues and everyone who knew Rhodri Morgan. I’m sure everyone who knew him had fond memories of him, not only as a leader of the country but as a person of kindness, humour and warmth. Many of us in this Chamber worked with him when he was First Minister. My memory is of a leader who was always willing to engage. He was quick thinking, he was a real character and he was a patriot. He was willing to listen to others whilst setting out his own view and his own vision for Wales.

The phrase ‘man of the people’ is used a lot in politics, but with Rhodri it is well deserved. He was well known and popular with working people and with people outside of his own party. He was a politician who people could relate to. He had a dry and memorable sense of humour, but, beyond his personality, those people who were close to him can also be very proud of his political legacy.

Rhodri Morgan led this nation in the early years of devolution—in those difficult precarious times. He formed the first coalition Government with the Liberal Democrats and later governed alongside my party in the One Wales Government from 2007 to 2011. Those were really important steps in the early years of our democracy.

Rhodri proved that Wales could unite, that devolution could see multiple parties exercise political power and that we could all work together jointly. Through his tenure as First Minister of this nation he ensured that the foundations of devolution were cemented to ensure that it would outlast his time as First Minister.

It was under his leadership of the country that this Assembly took its first steps away from Westminster in terms of public policy. Doing things differently in a unique Welsh way was part of Rhodri’s political mantra. He will be well remembered for his ‘clear red water’. Rhodri’s way struck a chord with people across all of the parties and none and resonated with those who had initially been sceptical about devolution. As Assembly Members, we still benefit from that legacy today. Without Rhodri Morgan, you could argue that we wouldn’t be on the cusp of assuming greater responsibilities as an institution.

I’ll close my remarks with an observation. When asked in 2008 about this country’s greatest achievement since devolution, he answered that it was our growing sense of confidence and our willingness to make our own decisions. Without Rhodri Morgan Wales wouldn’t be the country that it is today.

Diolch o galon, Rhodri Morgan. Cwsg mewn hedd.