Rhodri Morgan

Morgan led Wales from 2000 to 2009 and gave devolution a distinct identity with his 'clear red water' between Welsh Labour and New Labour: no foundation hospitals or academies, free prescriptions from 2007 and free bus travel for older people. He renamed the executive the Welsh Assembly Government and formed the first coalitions, with the Liberal Democrats and then Plaid Cymru. His folksy, unspun style helped make the institution feel Welsh rather than an outpost of Whitehall.