Oral - Appointment As Deputy First Minister

First, I wish Rhodri Morgan a speedy recovery. I am sure that we all hope that Rhodri will be back to his duties before very long.

This is an historic statement for us as a party and for me, personally. Accepting the post of Deputy First Minister and thereby joining the Assembly Government is a great honour and privilege. We are here to serve the people of Wales, and I will do so to the utmost of my ability. I thank my fellow Members from both parties who have formed the Government for their confidence in me.

This is the first time that Plaid Cymru has been in Government since its inception, 82 years ago to next month. It has been a long journey. The role of the party to date has been, as an opposition party, to place pressure on other parties to progress matters for Wales. From today onwards, we will share the responsibility of taking direct action on behalf of the people of Wales. I very much look forward to this challenge.

Following the election, I said that I would participate in negotiations that would lead to the formulation of an innovative and stable Government that would serve the people of Wales for four years. The negotiations with the Labour Party and the content of the 'One Wales’ document have achieved those objectives. Following nine weeks of negotiations, it is time to deliver. That is the intention from today.

The Government will outline its priorities soon, focusing on the policy pledges made in the document 'One Wales’. These will include the health service, education, housing, the economy, the environment, the Welsh language, and so on. This will be a comprehensive programme with a clear strategy and an obvious aim, namely serving the people of Wales wherever they may live, wherever they come from, and whatever their background or race. Wales is a broad-minded and tolerant nation and these are the values that the Government will uphold.

The opposition parties also have an important role. Nick Bourne will take over as leader of the opposition, and I wish him well. I was in that office for almost seven years. It can be a frustrating role at times, and I am willing to acknowledge that now. However, there are important responsibilities: to call the Government to account and to scrutinise our actions.

The role of the opposition, of course, is vital in the situation in which we find ourselves. This Government, naturally, is a different kind of Government for the Assembly, namely one with a large majority. Having said that, we are very eager to see the new Government conducting itself in a mature way, with consensus being a central element of it. Given the post-election spirit, and the constructive negotiation among the parties, let us continue that throughout the third Assembly. Naturally, there will be occasions when there is a distinct difference of opinion between the Government and the opposition parties, but, following the negotiations, I hope that we can continue to collaborate in some areas. Each party in the Assembly has an important role to ensure that the Government of Wales works for the benefit of all the people of Wales.

I extend and open invitation to the people of Wales to take a prominent role in the new Government. We are the Government of the people of Wales, and it is the responsibility of any government here to act for the benefit of the people of Wales rather than on a selfish and party-political basis. I hope therefore that this Government will do its best to begin a new era and a new style of politics in Wales. The success of that depends on everyone in the Assembly collaborating in a constructive manner.

Every politician in the Assembly seeks office to serve our nation to the best of his or her ability. It is the greatest honour we face as representatives of the people. We want to make the Assembly Government work for Wales, and that requires stability. The historic 'One Wales’ agreement between Plaid Cymru and Labour offers a new hope for the people of Wales in the form of a progressive programme of Government that will make a difference in every part of our nation and will work in the pursuit of the common good.

Briefly, I will outline some of the exciting and forward looking policies that the 'One Wales’ Government will deliver.
Healthcare in Wales will follow a distinct public service delivery model. We will create a new national institute of health research, refocus dental services, and develop a rural health plan that considers the unique circumstances of our rural communities. We will review NHS reconfiguration, and changes to our district general hospitals will not be implemented until relevant associated community health services are in place.

The Government will introduce an all-Wales approach to economic development supported by an all-Wales green jobs strategy. Specific attention will be given to some of our poorest communities. We will explore options for public sector investment, and small businesses will be aided by enhancing the business rate relief scheme.
In education, the Government will continue to develop a distinctive curriculum that is appropriate for Wales. We will commit to progressing provision of universal, affordable childcare, prioritising areas of greatest need.

The Government will place the environment, and the future of the environment, at the heart of its agenda.

Across the range of devolved responsibilities, the Government will seek to safeguard and strengthen the Welsh language.

In housing, the Government will aim to increase the number of affordable homes and invest in new social housing. We will also seek legislative responsibility to suspend the right to buy in areas of housing pressure. 

We will look after the neediest in our communities by providing extra help for pensioners with council tax payments. We will refocus and reinstate the post office development fund.

In transport, the Government will invest to improve road links, and it will work to reduce rail travel times between north and south Wales—how proud I am of that commitment.
We will support new local bus and cycle routes, and we will work to promote safer routes to schools.

This third Assembly now brings together a new partnership based on the progressive traditions that have been at the heart of our nation’s politics for over a century, and will offer the best hope of stable governance over the next four years. It is the deepest honour for me to be appointed Deputy First Minister, and for Plaid Cymru, in partnership with Labour, to serve the people of Wales in Government. I am looking forward to it.