Alun Michael

Labour MP Cardiff South and Penarth

Date of birth

22 August 1943

Political profile

Alun Michael is a Blairite loyalist whose political career came close to destruction as a result of being the focus of the leadership's machinations.

An MP since 1987, he had gained a reputation for quiet competence and a non-partisan persuasive style, which served him well as a minister of state at the Home Office.

However, he was catapulted into the cabinet in 1998 as Welsh Secretary following Ron Davies' resignation.

Tony Blair strongly supported his campaign for the leadership of the Welsh Labour Party against the more widely popular Rhodri Morgan.

He won only with the help of some union block votes awarded without membership ballots.

He was put at the last moment on to the Welsh Assembly top-up lists - he had not previously intended to stand for the body.

Widespread dissatisfaction with the manner in which his leadership had been won led to a poor performance by Labour in the inaugural Assembly election and he was forced to form a minority administration.

After a vote of no confidence he resigned as an AM and returned to the Westminster backbenches.

After the 2001 election, he was surprisingly re-promoted to a middle ranking ministerial position in the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Contact

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