# One Wales

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2007 Welsh government coalition

For the television channel of a similar name, see [BBC One Wales](/source/BBC_One_Wales).

See also: [Fourth Morgan government](/source/Fourth_Morgan_government) and [First Jones government](/source/First_Jones_government)

[Rhodri Morgan](/source/Rhodri_Morgan) (left) and [Ieuan Wyn Jones](/source/Ieuan_Wyn_Jones) (right) sign the One Wales coalition agreement

This article is part of a series about Rhodri Morgan MP for Cardiff West AM for Cardiff West Leader of Welsh Labour (2000–2009) 2000 leadership election First Minister of Wales (2000–2009) Premiership Clear red water Interim government First government Second government 2003 election Third government 2007 election Fourth government One Wales v t e

**One Wales** ([Welsh](/source/Welsh_language): *Cymru'n Un* [\[ˈkəmrɨn ˈɨn\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Welsh)) was the [coalition agreement](/source/Coalition_agreement) for the [National Assembly for Wales](/source/National_Assembly_for_Wales) between [Labour](/source/Welsh_Labour) and [Plaid Cymru](/source/Plaid_Cymru) agreed to by [Rhodri Morgan](/source/Rhodri_Morgan), [First Minister of Wales](/source/First_Minister_of_Wales) and leader of [Welsh Labour](/source/Welsh_Labour), and [Ieuan Wyn Jones](/source/Ieuan_Wyn_Jones), leader of Plaid Cymru, on 27 June 2007.[1] It was negotiated in the wake of the [preceding National Assembly election](/source/2007_National_Assembly_for_Wales_election) which resulted in a large Labour [plurality](/source/Plurality_(voting)), but no [majority](/source/Majority). Labour and Plaid Cymru approved the document in separate votes on 6 and 7 July, respectively.[2]

## History

On 3 May 2007, Labour won 26 of 60 seats in the 2007 [National Assembly for Wales](/source/National_Assembly_for_Wales) election, four short of an effective majority of 30 (see [Speaker Denison's rule](/source/Speaker_Denison's_rule) for an explanation of why this is so). Originally, commentators had predicted a Labour-[Welsh Liberal Democrats](/source/Welsh_Liberal_Democrats) coalition, after a previous coalition which had lasted from 2000 until 2003. Liberal Democrat leader [Mike German](/source/Mike_German), who had served as [Deputy First Minister of Wales](/source/Deputy_First_Minister_of_Wales) in the previous coalition, favoured the deal, which would have given the Government a majority of four. However, concerns within his party about propping up a weakened Labour party prevented such an agreement. An alternative option, the so-called "rainbow coalition" of [Plaid Cymru](/source/Plaid_Cymru), the Liberal Democrats and the [Conservatives](/source/Welsh_Conservative_Party), was negotiated between the leaders of those parties in mid-May, but was rejected at a Liberal Democrat special conference vote on 23 May.[3] The new Assembly formally opened two days later with no clear majority, and Rhodri Morgan was elected First Minister unopposed at the head of a [minority government](/source/Minority_government).

After one month of minority government, talks between Ieuan Wyn Jones and Rhodri Morgan resulted in the One Wales agreement between Labour and Plaid Cymru,[1] giving the Government a majority of 22. The agreement was criticised by some Labour members as too conciliatory towards Plaid Cymru's [nationalist](/source/Welsh_independence) leanings, especially in that it included a provision requiring a [referendum](/source/Referendum) on full law-making powers for the [National Assembly for Wales](/source/National_Assembly_for_Wales), in line with the [Scottish Parliament](/source/Scottish_Parliament).[4] However, the Labour party agreed to the plan by a wide margin on 6 July.[5] Plaid Cymru's membership approved the plan on 7 July.[2] Negotiations on cabinet posts in the new government were scheduled to take place starting 9 July, but Morgan fell ill the night before.[6] The next day, he had surgery to insert stents into on two partially blocked arteries. He was released from the hospital a few days later, and negotiations concluded on 19 July. Three Plaid Cymru AMs would serve as full ministers alongside six Labour members, with four deputy ministers from Labour and one from Plaid Cymru. The only Labour member to be struck from the government as a result of the deal was Deputy Economy and Transport Minister [Huw Lewis](/source/Huw_Lewis), who had previously opposed the One Wales deal.[7]

In March 2010 Labour and Plaid Cymru AMs refused to cross the [PCS union](/source/Public_and_Commercial_Services_Union) [picket line](/source/Strike_action). The [First Minister](/source/First_Minister_for_Wales) [Carwyn Jones](/source/Carwyn_Jones) stated that it was in the Welsh Labour party's political thinking not to cross a picket line. The [Welsh Conservative Party](/source/Welsh_Conservative_Party) and the [Welsh Liberal Democrats](/source/Welsh_Liberal_Democrats) condemned the One Wales government for not attending Assembly business.[8]

## Content

Further information: [2011 Welsh devolution referendum](/source/2011_Welsh_devolution_referendum)

Promotional logo for the One Wales coalition agreement

The first page of the agreement states that it "delivers a progressive, stable and ambitious programme for government over this Assembly term." Under its terms, Ieuan Wyn Jones became Deputy First Minister and Rhodri Morgan remained First Minister. Other posts were divided up among members of the two parties by Morgan in consultation with Jones.

The key policy proposals of the deal focused on increasing the amount of affordable housing in Wales through various incentives and schemes; investing in a comprehensive rail programme to link [North Wales](/source/North_Wales) and [South Wales](/source/South_Wales) more effectively; instituting a moratorium on community hospital reforms and promising to "agree and implement a new approach to health service reconfiguration" when "there is a local agreement on the way forward"; a new commission to tackle [climate change](/source/Climate_change) problems and [alternative energy](/source/Alternative_energy) questions; and, most controversially, an agreement to hold a referendum on new [law-making powers](/source/Contemporary_Welsh_Law) for the National Assembly in the vein of those previously granted to the Scottish Parliament. The text also stated that Plaid Cymru and Labour had agreed "in good faith to campaign for a successful outcome to such a referendum."[9]

This last section was criticised by Welsh Labour MPs [Paul Murphy](/source/Paul_Murphy_(UK_politician)), [Don Touhig](/source/Don_Touhig), and [Kim Howells](/source/Kim_Howells), Minister of State at the [Foreign and Commonwealth Office](/source/Foreign_and_Commonwealth_Office), who claimed it would lead "nationalists to the gates of independence."[9]

The referendum was held on 3 March 2011. The outcome was 'yes', with 63.49% of the participants for and 36.51% against; 35.2% of the electorate participated.

## Analysis

The agreement was seen variously as a first step towards independence,[9] a sell-out on Plaid's part that propped up a Labour government,[10] and part of a wider shift towards [nationalism](/source/Nationalism) in the [British Isles](/source/British_Isles).[11] According to polling by the [BBC](/source/BBC) in January 2007, only 20% of Welsh voters favoured independence,[12] but 22.4% of Welsh voters supported Plaid Cymru — just one of a number of nationalist parties and candidates in the 2007 Assembly election. This was put down to more general dissatisfaction with Labour's [Tony Blair](/source/Tony_Blair) in the media,[13] suggesting that any growth in nationalist sentiment might have been less important to the electorate's shift away from Labour than [Westminster](/source/Parliament_of_the_United_Kingdom) political scandals.

## One Wales Delivery Plan 2007–2011

The [Welsh Government](/source/Welsh_Government) published the *One Wales Delivery Plan 2007-2011*, setting out 228 specific commitments in *One Wales* to be delivered by April 2011. Each section of the plan included a vision statement and success criteria.[14]

## See also

- [Politics of the United Kingdom](/source/Politics_of_the_United_Kingdom)

- [Nick Bourne](/source/Nick_Bourne), Leader of the Welsh Conservatives and [Leader of the Opposition](/source/Opposition_(parliamentary)) designate in the Assembly at the time of the One Wales agreement

- [2007 Scottish Parliament election](/source/2007_Scottish_Parliament_election) on the same day as the Welsh one, resulting in a [Scottish National Party](/source/Scottish_National_Party) minority [government](/source/Scottish_Government).

- [2021 Welsh Labour–Plaid Cymru agreement](/source/2021_Welsh_Labour%E2%80%93Plaid_Cymru_agreement) (a non-[coalition](/source/Coalition_agreement) agreement after the [2021 Senedd election](/source/2021_Senedd_election))

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-BBC1_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-BBC1_1-1) ["Historic Labour-Plaid deal agreed"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/6245040.stm). 27 June 2007 – via news.bbc.co.uk.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-BBC4_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-BBC4_2-1) ["Labour-Plaid coalition is sealed"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/6278848.stm). 7 July 2007 – via news.bbc.co.uk.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Labour minority rule for Wales"](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2007/may/25/wales.devolution). *the Guardian*. 25 May 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-BBC2_4-0)** ["Labour MPs worried by Plaid deal"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6248724.stm). 29 June 2007 – via news.bbc.co.uk.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-BBC3_5-0)** ["Labour agrees historic coalition"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/6275036.stm). 6 July 2007 – via news.bbc.co.uk.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-BBC6_6-0)** ["Rhodri Morgan has artery surgery"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/6282468.stm). 9 July 2007 – via news.bbc.co.uk.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-BBC10_7-0)** ["Labour assembly minister sacked"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6905218.stm). 18 July 2007 – via news.bbc.co.uk.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Parties miss debate due to picket"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/8583591.stm). 24 March 2010 – via news.bbc.co.uk.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-BBC7_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-BBC7_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-BBC7_9-2) ["Senior MPs condemn Plaid deal"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/6272280.stm). 5 July 2007 – via news.bbc.co.uk.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-BBC8_10-0)** Powys, Betsan (9 July 2007). ["On the move"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/betsanpowys/2007/07/on_the_move.html). *Betsan's Blog*. BBC.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Guardian2_11-0)** ["Michael White: Momentous day for nationalists"](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2007/jul/11/uk.politics). *the Guardian*. 10 July 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Huw, Alwyn ap. ["Creating our Own Agenda"](http://www.welshindependence.net/2007/03/creating-our-own-agenda.html).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Guardian3_13-0)** Owen, Paul (2 February 2007). ["Blair not an issue in Wales, says first minister"](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2007/feb/02/wales.devolution). *The Guardian*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [Welsh Assembly Government | One Wales Delivery Plan 2007-2011](http://new.wales.gov.uk/about/strategy/strategypublications/strategypubs/1walesdeliveryplan/?lang=en)[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

## External links

- [Complete text of the One Wales agreement](https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/27_06_07_onewales.pdf)

v t e Welsh Labour Labour Party Political parties in Wales in the United Kingdom Leaders Ron Davies (Sep 1998–Oct 1998) Alun Michael (1999–2000) Rhodri Morgan (2000–2009) Carwyn Jones (2009–2018) Mark Drakeford (2018–2024) Vaughan Gething (Mar 2024–Jul 2024) Eluned Morgan (2024–2026) Ken Skates (Interim, May 2026–present) Deputy Leaders Carolyn Harris (2018–present) General Secretaries Cliff Prothero (1947) Emrys Jones (1965) Hubert Morgan (1979) Anita Gale (1984) Jessica Morden (1999) Chris Roberts (2005) David Hagendyk (2010) Louise Magee (2017) Jo McIntyre (2022) Current MSs Jayne Bryant Mike Hedges Vikki Howells Huw Irranca-Davies Sarah Murphy Lynne Neagle Ken Skates Shav Taj Huw Thomas Current MPs Tonia Antoniazzi Alex Barros-Curtis Torsten Bell Chris Bryant Wayne David Geraint Davies Alex Davies-Jones Stephen Doughty Chris Elmore Gill German Becky Gittins Nia Griffith Carolyn Harris Claire Hughes Gerald Jones Ruth Jones Stephen Kinnock Anna McMorrin Jessica Morden Kanishka Narayan Andrew Ranger Nick Smith Jo Stevens Mark Tami Nick Thomas-Symonds Henry Tufnell Steve Witherden Beth Winter Structure Welsh Executive Committee Welsh Labour Students Welsh Young Labour History Clear red water Factions Labour for an Independent Wales Labour and Co-operative (electoral pact) In Government Michael (1999–2000) Interim Rhodri Morgan (2000) First Rhodri Morgan (2000–2003) Second Rhodri Morgan (2003–2007) Third Rhodri Morgan (2007–2007) Fourth Rhodri Morgan (2007–2009; Coalition under One Wales with Plaid Cymru) First Jones (2009–2011; Coalition under One Wales with Plaid Cymru) Second Jones (2011–2016) Third Jones (2016–2018) First Drakeford (2018–2021) Second Drakeford (2021–2024; agreement with Plaid Cymru) Gething (2024) Eluned Morgan (2024–2026) Leadership elections 1998 Davies 1999 Michael 2000 Rhodri Morgan 2009 Jones 2018 Drakeford Feb–Mar 2024 Gething Jul 2024 Eluned Morgan 2026 TBD Deputy leadership elections 2018 Harris Category

v t e Plaid Cymru Leadership Leaders Ieuan Wyn Jones (2006–2012) Leanne Wood (2012–2018) Adam Price (2018–2023) Llŷr Gruffydd (acting, 2023) Rhun ap Iorwerth (2023–present) Senedd Group Leaders party leader since 2006 Dafydd Wigley (1999–2000) Ieuan Wyn Jones (2000–2012) Leanne Wood (2012–2018) Adam Price (2018–2023) Llŷr Gruffydd (acting, 2023) Rhun ap Iorwerth (2023–present) Presidents party leader pre-2003 abolished 2013 Lewis Valentine (1925–1926) Saunders Lewis (1926–1939) John Edward Daniel (1939–1943) Abi Williams (1943–1945) Gwynfor Evans (1945–1981) Dafydd Wigley (1981–1984) Dafydd Elis-Thomas (1984–1991) Dafydd Wigley (1991–2000) Ieuan Wyn Jones (2000–2003) Dafydd Iwan (2003–2010) Jill Evans (2010–2013) Vice-Presidents abolished 2013 Saunders Lewis (1925–1926) John Edward Daniel (1931–1939) Gwynfor Evans (1943–1945) Waldo Williams R. E. Holland W. R. P. George R. Tudur Jones (1957–1962) Wynne Samuel (1962–1964) Chris Rees (1964–1966) Edward Millward (1966–1968) Phil Williams (1968–1970) Robyn Léwis (1970–1976) Phil Williams (1976–1978) Dafydd Elis-Thomas (1979–1981) Phil Williams (1982–1984) Dafydd Iwan (1984–2003) Jill Evans (2003–2010) Chris Franks (2010–2013) Chairs Chris Rees (1966–1970) Phil Williams (1970–1976) Eurfyl ap Gwilym (1976–1980) Ieuan Wyn Jones (1980–1982) Dafydd Iwan (1982–1984) Syd Morgan (1984–1990) Ieuan Wyn Jones (1990–1992) John Dixon (1992–1994) Jill Evans (1994–1996) Marc Phillips (1996–2000) Elin Jones (2000–2002) John Dixon (2002–2010) Gwenllian Lansdown (2010–2011) Rhuanedd Richards (2011–2012) Helen Mary Jones (2012–2013) Dafydd Trystan Davies (2013–2018) Alun Ffred Jones (2018–2022) Marc Jones (2022–present) Honorary Presidents Gwynfor Evans (1982–2005) Dafydd Wigley (2005–present) Leadership elections 1945 1981 1984 1991 2000 2003 2012 2018 2023 Parliamentarians European Parliament (MEPs) Eurig Wyn (1999–2004) Jill Evans (1999–2020) Senedd (MSs) Welsh Assembly (AMs) Former Rhys ab Owen Mohammad Asghar Cynog Dafis Geraint Davies Jocelyn Davies Dafydd Elis-Thomas Nerys Evans Luke Fletcher Chris Franks Brian Hancock Pauline Jarman Alun Jones Gareth Jones Helen Mary Jones Ieuan Wyn Jones Steffan Lewis David Lloyd Neil McEvoy Janet Ryder Bethan Sayed Owen Thomas Rhodri Thomas Simon Thomas Dafydd Wigley Phil Williams Leanne Wood Current Lyn Ackerman Zaynub Akbar Mabon ap Gwynfor Rhun ap Iorwerth (leader) Beca Brown Anna Brychan Cefin Campbell Nick Carter Alun Cox Sara Crowley Donna Cushing John Davies Safa Elhassan Nerys Evans Sera Evans Kerry Ferguson Heledd Fychan Leticia Gonzalez Peredur Owen Griffiths Llŷr Gruffydd Siân Gwenllian Carrie Harper Mark Hooper Delyth Jewell Elin Jones Marc Jones Matthew Jones Kiera Marshall Becca Martin Lis McLean Anna Nicholl Rebeca Phillips Adam Price Sarah Rees Mair Rowlands Niamh Salkeld Elyn Stephens Dafydd Trystan Elwyn Vaughan Lindsay Whittle Elfed Williams Gwyn Williams Sioned Williams United Kingdom Parliament House of Commons (MPs) Former Cynog Dafis (1992–2000) Jonathan Edwards (2010–2020, 2022) Dafydd Elis-Thomas (1974–1992) Gwynfor Evans (1966–1970, 1974–1979) Ieuan Wyn Jones (1987–2001) Elfyn Llwyd (1992–2015) Adam Price (2001–2010) Simon Thomas (2000–2005) Dafydd Wigley (1974–2001) Hywel Williams (2001–2024) Current Ann Davies Ben Lake Llinos Medi Liz Saville Roberts House of Lords Peers Lord Elis-Thomas (2012–2016) Baroness Smith of Llanfaes Lord Wigley Organisation History History Election results Co-operation with the Wales Green Party Founders Byddin Ymreolwyr Cymru (Welsh Home Rule Army) Moses Gruffydd Huw Robert Jones Lewis Valentine Y Mudiad Cymreig (Welsh Movement) Fred Jones Saunders Lewis Others Ambrose Bebb David James Davies D. J. Williams Related organisations Plaid Ifanc International affiliations European Free Alliance Greens–European Free Alliance Category

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [One Wales](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Wales) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Wales?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.