The First Minister 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 Ysgrifennydd), 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, so a different title was chosen to avoid confusion with the UK Prime Minister. The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) (Welsh: Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru, LlCC) is the executive body of the National Assembly for Wales, consisting of the First Minister and his Cabinet. ... For an explanation of often confusing terms such as Great Britain, Britain, United Kingdom, England and Wales and England, see British Isles (terminology). ... The Government of Wales Act, 1998 (1998 c. ... Welsh redirects here, and this article describes the Welsh language. ... Dieu et mon droit (motto) (French for God and my right)2 Northern Irelands location within the UK Main language English Other recognised languages Irish, Ulster Scots Capital and largest city Belfast First Minister Office suspended Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Peter Hain MP Area  - Total Ranked 4th... Motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (English: No one provokes me with impunity) Scotlands location within Europe Scotlands location within the United Kingdom Languages English, Gaelic, Scots Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area - Total - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ...

This change of title occurred after the Liberal Democrats formed a coalition government with Labour in the Welsh Assembly in October 2000. The change of title has no effect in law - as the post of First Secretary is established in statute law under the 1998 Government of Wales Act. The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal political party based in the United Kingdom. ... A coalition government, or coalition cabinet, is a cabinet in parliamentary government in which several parties cooperate. ... The Labour Party has, since the early twentieth century, been the principal left wing political party in the United Kingdom (see British politics). ... The National Assembly for Wales (or NAW) (Welsh: Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru) was established in 1998, following a 1997 referendum in which a small majority of voters (but not the electorate) voted in favour of the Labour Governments plans for devolution. ...

The Government of Wales Bill, which is currently going through the Parliament of the United Kingdom, allows for the post to be officially the First Minister and would also make the First Minister the Keeper of the Welsh Seal. The Government of Wales Bill is a bill that has been introduced into the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ... The Houses of Parliament, seen over Westminster Bridge The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative institution in the United Kingdom and British overseas territories (it alone has parliamentary sovereignty). ...

First Secretary

The Right Honourable Alun Edward Michael (born August 2, 1943) is a Welsh politician. ... May 12 is the 132nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (133rd in leap years). ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... February 9 is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... This article is about the year 2000. ... The Labour Party has, since the early twentieth century, been the principal left wing political party in the United Kingdom (see British politics). ... Rhodri Morgan, pictured while on an eve of poll visit during the National Assembly of Wales election in 2003. ... February 9 is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... This article is about the year 2000. ... February 15 is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... This article is about the year 2000. ... The Labour Party has, since the early twentieth century, been the principal left wing political party in the United Kingdom (see British politics). ... Rhodri Morgan, pictured while on an eve of poll visit during the National Assembly of Wales election in 2003. ... February 15 is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... This article is about the year 2000. ... October 16 is the 289th day of the year (290th in Leap years). ... This article is about the year 2000. ... The Labour Party has, since the early twentieth century, been the principal left wing political party in the United Kingdom (see British politics). ...

First Minister

Rhodri Morgan, pictured while on an eve of poll visit during the National Assembly of Wales election in 2003. ... October 16 is the 289th day of the year (290th in Leap years). ... This article is about the year 2000. ... The Labour Party has, since the early twentieth century, been the principal left wing political party in the United Kingdom (see British politics). ...

Deputy First Minister

Michael German (born 1945) is leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, and Member of the Welsh Assembly for South Wales East Region. ... October 16 is the 289th day of the year (290th in Leap years). ... This article is about the year 2000. ... July 6 is the 187th day of the year (188th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 178 days remaining. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal political party based in the United Kingdom. ... Jenny Randerson (born 1948) is a Welsh Liberal Democrat politician, and Member of the Welsh Assembly for Cardiff Central. ... July 6 is the 187th day of the year (188th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 178 days remaining. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... June 13 is the 164th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (165th in leap years), with 201 days remaining. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal political party based in the United Kingdom. ... Michael German (born 1945) is leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, and Member of the Welsh Assembly for South Wales East Region. ... June 13 is the 164th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (165th in leap years), with 201 days remaining. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal political party based in the United Kingdom. ...

Sources

• Dates are from World Statesmen and various BBC News Online articles from 1999 to 2003.
• Birthplaces of Welsh first ministers, and secretaries of state