Shadow Cabinet of Dafydd Wigley

{{Infobox government cabinet

|cabinet_name=Wigley Shadow Cabinet

|cabinet_type=Shadow Cabinet

|jurisdiction=Wales

|flag=Flag of Wales 2.svg

|flag_border=true

|incumbent=1999–2000

|image=Official portrait of Dafydd Wigley AM.jpg

|date_formed=18 May 1999

|date_dissolved=4 August 2000

|government_head_title=Leader of the Opposition and Shadow First Secretary

|government_head=Dafydd Wigley{{Efn|name=Delegation|Wigley delegated his responsibilities to Ieuan Wyn Jones from December 1999 to February 2000 due to ill health.}}

|state_head_title=Monarch

|state_head=Elizabeth II

|cabinet_number=

|total_number=

|former_members_number=

|political_party={{ubl|{{Color box|{{party color|Plaid Cymru}}|border=darkgray}} Plaid Cymru}}

|legislature_status=Official Opposition {{Composition bar|17|60|{{party color|Plaid Cymru}}

|background-color=|border border-color=darkgray|width=|per=1}}

|opposition_cabinet=

|opposition_party=

|opposition_leader=

|election=

|last_election=

|legislature_term=1st National Assembly for Wales

|budget=

|incoming_formation=

|outgoing_formation=

|previous=Assembly established

|successor=Shadow Cabinet of Ieuan Wyn Jones

}}

Dafydd Wigley became Leader of the Opposition and Shadow First Secretary of Wales after the creation of the National Assembly for Wales on 12 May 1999, following the first assembly election held on 6 May. Members of his shadow cabinet were elected by Plaid Cymru's assembly members and announced on 18 May.

In December 1999, Wigley temporarily delegated his responsibilities to Ieuan Wyn Jones due to ill health, who became acting leader of the opposition and Plaid Cymru. He resumed his responsibilities in February 2000 but later announced his resignation in May 2000 to focus on his health. In August 2000, Jones was elected to succeed him as Plaid Cymru's leader, becoming the new Leader of the Opposition and forming a new shadow cabinet.

Background

Dafydd Wigley was elected unopposed as President of Plaid Cymru in the 1991 Plaid Cymru presidential election, having previously served as the president of the party from 1981 to 1984.{{Cite news |date=3 December 2005 |title=Wigley set for Assembly comeback |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/wigley-set-for-assembly-comeback-2361707 |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=WalesOnline}} Plaid Cymru, a party traditionally supportive of Welsh independence, campaigned for the establishment of a devolved Welsh legislature in the 1990s with the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats.{{Cite book |last=Schrijver |first=Frans |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u8gZklxHTMUC&pg=PA295 |title=Regionalism After Regionalisation: Spain, France and the United Kingdom |publisher=Amsterdam University Press |year=2006 |isbn=978-90-5629-428-1 |page=295 |language=en |access-date=16 May 2024}} After UK Labour formed a government following the 1997 UK general election, it held a referendum in Wales on establishing a devolved Welsh assembly, which returned a narrow majority in favour of establishing an assembly.{{Cite news |date=27 October 1998 |title=The man who would have been leader |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/202477.stm |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=BBC News}}{{Cite news |date=6 May 2024 |title=Welsh devolution at 25: Reflecting on 25 years since the first Senedd election |url=https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2024-05-06/welsh-devolution-at-25-reflecting-on-25-years-since-the-first-senedd-election |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=ITV News}} The first election to the National Assembly for Wales was held on 6 May 1999, and it met for the first time on 12 May 1999.

At the election in May 1999, Plaid Cymru made gains against Labour, which had traditionally dominated Welsh politics, winning 17 seats and causing Labour to unexpectedly fall short of an overall majority.{{Cite book |last1=Hassan |first1=Gerry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C9eVDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT133 |title=The People's Flag and the Union Jack: An Alternative History of Britain and the Labour Party |last2=Shaw |first2=Eric |date=7 May 2019 |publisher=Biteback Publishing |isbn=978-1-78590-387-8 |page=133 |language=en |access-date=17 May 2024}} Labour became the largest party in the assembly with 28 assembly members (AMs) and formed a minority administration with its leader Alun Michael elected as the inaugural First Secretary of Wales at the first plenary session of the National Assembly on 12 May.{{Cite news |date=13 May 1999 |title=A cloudy dawn |url=https://www.economist.com/britain/1999/05/13/a-cloudy-dawn |access-date=17 May 2024 |newspaper=The Economist}}{{Cite book |last=Rawlings |first=Richard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zlshAQAAIAAJ |title=Delineating Wales: Constitutional, Legal and Administrative Aspects of National Devolution |date=2003 |publisher=University of Wales Press |isbn=978-0-7083-1739-6 |pages=92–94, 124 |language=en |access-date=17 May 2024}} Michael announced his cabinet at the same session, appointing nine Labour AMs to serve as ministers, officially known as assembly secretaries, in the devolved government of Wales.{{Cite news |date=12 May 1999 |title=No place in Welsh Cabinet for Ron Davies |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/1999/may/12/wales.devolution1 |access-date=17 May 2024 |work=The Guardian}}

As the second largest party in the assembly with 17 AMs, Plaid Cymru formed the official opposition to the Labour administration,{{Cite book |last1=Rees |first1=Huw |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G8yUEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT154 |title=Wales on This Day |last2=Kilcoyne |first2=Sian |date=20 October 2022 |publisher=University of Wales Press |isbn=978-1-915279-12-5 |page=154 |language=en |access-date=16 May 2024}}{{Cite news |date=15 April 2003 |title=Four years of Welsh devolution (page 2) |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/bbc_parliament/2949391.stm |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=BBC News}}{{Cite news |date=11 May 1999 |title=Michael rules out coalition |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/340924.stm |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=BBC News}} enabling it to act as a government-in-waiting in accordance with the Westminster system of government traditionally practiced across the United Kingdom.{{Cite book |last1=Colin |first1=Copus |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y0lgEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA240 |title=A Modern Guide to Local and Regional Politics |last2=Richard |first2=Kerley |last3=Alistair |first3=Jones |date=4 February 2022 |publisher=Edward Elgar Publishing |isbn=978-1-83910-345-2 |page=240 |language=en |access-date=16 May 2024}}{{Cite book |last=Vlahos |first=Nick |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tVjuDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA208 |title=The Political Economy of Devolution in Britain from the Postwar Era to Brexit |date=29 June 2020 |publisher=Springer Nature |isbn=978-3-030-48729-4 |page=208 |language=en |access-date=16 May 2024}} Wigley was elected as AM for Caernarfon and became the first Leader of the Opposition of Wales as the leader of Plaid Cymru in the assembly.{{Cite news |date=31 May 2000 |title=A passion for politics |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/771559.stm |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=BBC News}}{{Cite news |date=31 August 2023 |title=Former Plaid Cymru MP to celebrate 50 years since election |url=https://nation.cymru/news/former-plaid-cymru-mp-to-celebrate-50-years-since-election/ |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=Nation.Cymru}} As the official opposition in the assembly, Plaid Cymru was expected to scrutinise the policies and governance of the devolved administration, propose alternative policies and lead assembly debates. To fulfill these duties, Wigley was expected to form and lead a shadow cabinet made up of shadow ministers who would mirror the roles of devolved ministers in the Welsh Cabinet and lead the party in scrutinising the Labour administration and its ministers.{{Cite book |last=Deacon |first=Russell |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nOxJEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA99 |title=Government and Politics of Wales |date=20 December 2017 |publisher=Edinburgh University Press |isbn=978-0-7486-9974-2 |pages=99–100 |access-date=16 May 2024}}{{Cite news |last=Lyons |first=Jamie |date=18 May 1999 |title=Assembly code of conduct drawn up |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/924203997 |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=South Wales Echo}} The two other opposition parties, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, announced their frontbench teams on 13 May 1999.{{Cite news |date=13 May 1999 |title=How the opposition cabinets line up |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/924200265 |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=South Wales Echo}} Wigley said he would announce his shadow cabinet on 18 May, at the second plenary session of the National Assembly. He did not personally appoint the members of the shadow cabinet like other party leaders; members were instead elected to their positions by Plaid Cymru's seventeen AMs.

History

On 18 May, the members of the Shadow Cabinet were announced. Wigley was elected as Shadow First Secretary and Shadow Assembly Secretary for Finance.{{Cite news |date=19 May 1999 |title=Plaid is 'ready to take reigns' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/924204415 |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=South Wales Echo}}{{Cite news |date=1 September 1999 |title=People in the Assembly: Dafydd Wigley |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/uk/wales/13123.stm |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=BBC News}} Other elections to the Shadow Cabinet included Ynys Môn AM Ieuan Wyn Jones as Shadow Trefnydd/Business Manager and Opposition Chief Whip, Llanelli AM Helen Mary Jones as Shadow Assembly Secretary for Social Inclusion and Equal Opportunity, Mid and West Wales AM Cynog Dafis as Plaid Cymru Policy Co-ordinator in the Welsh Assembly, South Wales East AM Phil Williams as Shadow Assembly Secretary for Economic Development, Conwy AM Gareth Jones as Shadow Assembly Secretary for Education and Childcare, Ceredigion AM Elin Jones as Shadow Assembly Secretary for Education and Training, Carmarthen East and Dinefwr AM Rhodri Glyn Thomas as Shadow Assembly Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, North Wales AM Janet Ryder as Shadow Assembly Secretary for the Environment, Local Government and Planning, and South Wales West AM Dai Lloyd as Shadow Assembly Secretary for Health and Social Services.{{Cite news |last=Walters |first=Brian |date=20 May 1999 |title=Wigley names dream team – 'ready to govern Wales' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/1006730691 |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=South Wales Evening Post}}{{Cite journal |year=2000 |title=Assembly spokespeople |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qbKHAAAAMAAJ |journal=Vacher's Parliamentary Companion |publisher=A.S. Kerswill Limited |issue=1,097 |page=236 |isbn=9780953066469 |access-date=16 May 2024}} Unlike the nine-member Labour cabinet led by First Secretary Alun Michael, the Shadow Cabinet had ten members; Helen Mary Jones took on a shadow portfolio for social inclusion and equal opportunity, which did not have an equivalent in Michael's administration.

In December 1999, Wigley had to undergo a minor heart surgery operation due to a heart condition and ill health.{{Cite news |date=8 December 1999 |title=Plaid choose stop-gap leader |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/555229.stm |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=BBC News}} In response, he introduced a new deputy leadership role, although an officeholder was never appointed to actually fill the position.{{Cite book |last=Hannan |first=Patrick |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vV0nAQAAMAAJ |title=When Arthur Met Maggie |publisher=Seren |year=2006 |isbn=978-1-85411-422-8 |pages=156–159 |access-date=16 May 2024}}{{Cite news |date=14 May 2003 |title=Plaid appoints its first deputy chief |url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/plaid-appoints-first-deputy-chief-2942993?int_source=amp_continue_reading&int_medium=amp&int_campaign=continue_reading_button |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=North Wales Live}} He temporarily resigned from his duties while he recovered, delegating his responsibilities to Ieuan Wyn Jones, who was elected unopposed by the Plaid Cymru assembly group to serve as the acting leader of the party during his absence.{{Cite news |date=7 December 1999 |title=Wigley illness leaves Plaid power gap |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/554408.stm |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=BBC News}} Wigley returned to his duties in February 2000 after being granted permission to return to work from his doctors, leading his party into the premiership of Labour's Rhodri Morgan.{{Cite news |date=11 February 2000 |title=Wigley back at helm of Plaid Cymru |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/639572.stm |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=BBC News}}{{Cite news |date=14 February 2000 |title=Plaid's 'consensus' policy hope |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/642840.stm |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=BBC News}} In May 2000, Wigley announced his decision to resign as President of Plaid Cymru after recovering slower than he had expected and being told to reduce his workload by medical advisers.{{Cite news |date=31 May 2000 |title=Plaid Cymru leader steps down |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/770799.stm |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=BBC News}} Jones was elected to succeed him in a leadership election held in August, becoming the new Leader of the Opposition and forming a new shadow cabinet.{{Cite journal |date=September 2000 |title=Devolution: Wales |url=https://www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/sites/constitution_unit/files/monitor-12.pdf |journal=Monitor: The Constitution Unit Bulletin |publisher=The Constitution Unit, University College London |issue=12 |issn=1465-4377 |access-date=16 May 2024}} Jones offered Wigley a place in the new shadow cabinet, but Wigley refused so he could continue to focus on his recovering health.{{Cite news |date=9 August 2000 |title=Plaid leader reshuffles cabinet |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/871450.stm |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=BBC News}}

Members

class="wikitable"

! colspan="1" |Portfolio

! colspan="3" |Shadow Minister

! colspan="1" |Constituency

! colspan="1" |Term

Leader of the Opposition
President of Plaid Cymru
Shadow First Secretary
Shadow Assembly Secretary for Finance

| style="background: {{party color|Plaid Cymru}}; width: 1px" |

|100px

| Dafydd Wigley AM{{Efn|name=Delegation}}

| Caernarfon

|May 1999–August 2000

|Shadow Trefnydd/Business Manager
Opposition Chief Whip

! style= "background: {{party color|Plaid Cymru}}; width: 1px" |

| 100px

| Ieuan Wyn Jones AM{{Efn|Jones also temporarily served in Wigley's portfolios from December 1999 to February 2000 in an acting capacity while Wigley withdrew from his duties due to ill health.}}

|Ynys Môn

|May 1999–August 2000

Shadow Assembly Secretary for Social Inclusion and Equal Opportunity

! style="background-color: {{party color|Plaid Cymru}}; width: 1px" |

|File:Official portrait of Helen Mary Jones AM.jpg

|Helen Mary Jones AM

|Llanelli

|May 1999–August 2000

Plaid Cymru Policy Co-ordinator in the Welsh Assembly

! style="background-color: {{party color|Plaid Cymru}}; width: 1px" |

|100px

|Cynog Dafis AM