As chair of the Welsh Conservative party group and the only Member first elected in 1999, it is my sad honour to make this tribute.

Devolution was a shaky structure when Rhodri became First Minister in February 2000. Only narrowly endorsed by the electorate, it lacked decisive leadership and had not created a stable Government. Rhodri provided the energy and vision that devolution needed to succeed in Wales. He was a tough opponent, and I think we should be candid in recognising this. But, as was said of Churchill, any anger was like lightening—bright, decisive and quickly passing. While his powerful memory was rightly famous, it did not extend to bearing political grudges, and we all know what a rare quality and a generosity of heart that is. For the heart of Rhodri’s vision was that Wales must become a political nation to match and advance its cultural and historical achievements, and all our great political traditions have a part in that, which he nobly recognised.

When Rhodri stepped down as First Minister, devolution was constitutionally embedded and about to receive a two-thirds majority in a referendum for primary law-making powers. Rhodri’s service to the Welsh nation will be seen as the greatest of his generation of politicians. And it was a service that was supported and sustained by a long and happy marriage. I extend my deepest sympathies and those of my colleagues to Julie and the whole family.