Morgan reveals assembly cabinet

Rhodri Morgan has been drawing up the new team for the past week

Welsh First Minister Rhodri Morgan has made big changes to his Labour cabinet.

Ex-social justice minister Edwina Hart takes health from Brian Gibbons and Carwyn Jones becomes the new education, culture and Welsh language minister.

Dr Gibbons is now economy and transport minister and former education minister Jane Davidson takes charge of "sustainability and rural development".

Mr Morgan said the changes were "a major refresh" but Plaid Cymru said it was "the same old tired faces".

Meanwhile, some opposition Assembly Members have warned that the minority administration could soon be ousted.

Among the changes, former economic and transport minister Andrew Davies takes over Ms Hart's social justice portfolio and will also be responsible for improving the standard of public services.

No north Wales cabinet members were announced but Alyn and Deeside AM Carl Sargeant becomes chief whip and deputy business minister and will attend all cabinet meetings.

New Labour cabinet First Minister: Rhodri Morgan Health and social services: Edwina Hart Education, culture and Welsh language: Carwyn Jones Economy and transport: Brian Gibbons Sustainability and rural development: Jane Davidson Social justice and public service delivery: Andrew Davies Budget and business: Jane Hutt

Mr Morgan said his new team represented "a major refresh of almost every portfolio, with roles occupied by ministers completely new to those roles".

"They will bring a new impetus and energy to driving forward our policy programme in co-operation with others across the assembly where we are of like mind," he added.

"I am confident that this approach will receive a positive response from parties who have expressed a need for greater co-operation because it is in the interests of Wales." Plaid Cymru deputy assembly leader Rhodri Glyn Thomas was unimpressed.

"Rhodri Morgan's latest cabinet has no change of personnel and therefore there has to be a change of policy and a new sense of urgency if this government is going to make a real difference to lives across Wales," he said.

"We have here the same old tired faces. It is unlikely this cabinet will contain renewed ambition for Wales to go with the new powers of the assembly."

Rhodri Morgan's M4 corridor Cabinet shows no new faces and risks having few new ideas Lib Dem group leader Mike German

Conservative assembly group leader Nick Bourne said: "Today's announcement is proof that Rhodri Morgan is more interested in the day-to-day survival of his government than the delivery of dynamic, radical policies that will benefit every community in every part of the country.

"That is hardly encouraging for the credibility of the national assembly, the stability of government, or in the interests of the people of Wales."

And Liberal Democrat assembly group leader Mike German suggested that "perhaps Rhodri has been conscious that the cabinet's work is likely to be time limited".

"Rhodri Morgan's M4 corridor Cabinet shows no new faces and risks having few new ideas," he added.

Minority administration

Cabinet changes became inevitable after the 3 May assembly election.

Previous culture minister Alun Pugh lost his Clwyd West seat to the Conservatives and finance minister Sue Essex stood down in Cardiff North, a seat also captured by the Tories.

Mr Morgan is expected to announce his deputy ministers later.

Labour is ruling as a minority administration after winning 26 of the 60 seats in the assembly election.

Plaid has 15 AMs, the Tories 12, Lib Dems six, and there is one independent.

Mr Morgan was re-appointed first minister last Friday after a coalition agreement between the three other parties appeared to collapse when it was rejected by senior Liberal Democrats.

But the following day, Lib Dems voted to go ahead with the alliance at a special conference. The Welsh Conservative's management board has also backed the plans and Plaid Cymru's national council will meet in July to makes its decision.

Later on Thursday Rhodri Morgan appointed four deputy ministers. They are: Gwenda Thomas, health and social services; Huw Lewis, economy and transport; Leighton Andrews, social justice and public service delivery; John Griffiths, education, culture and Welsh language.