Voters give seal of approval to retiring first minister

RHODRI Morgan can leave office this year knowing most voters think he has been a decent First Minister, a poll suggested today.

It found that after nine years in the job he had an approval rating of 65 per cent. A fifth - 21 per cent - thought he had done poorly.

Mr Morgan plans to stand down from the Welsh Labour leadership around the time of his 70th birthday in September.

The ICM poll for BBC Wales also found growing support for a full law-making Assembly.

For the first time, more than half - 52 per cent - said they would vote for primary powers in a referendum. Thirty-nine per cent would vote against and nine per cent did not know.

The same poll last year found 49 per cent for, 42 per cent against and nine per cent undecided.

It shows growing support for a Welsh parliament, but perhaps not the significant swing in favour that would encourage political leaders to call a referendum.

The results of the 2007 poll were 47 per cent for and 44 per cent against.

Mr Morgan's governing coalition with Plaid Cymru is trying to prepare the ground for a referendum in 2011.

It has appointed retired diplomat Sir Emyr Jones Parry to chair the All Wales Convention which is asking people what they think about the idea.

When asked how they would like Wales to be governed, a full law-making parliament with tax-raising powers, similar to that in Scotland, was the most popular choice - 34 per cent.

Almost a fifth - 19 per cent - wanted the Assembly scrapped.

The poll also found less than half knew a Labour-nationalist coalition was in charge in Cardiff Bay – 48 per cent answered correctly.

Plaid leader and Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said: "The people of Wales clearly believe that they want a Government which understands the needs of Welsh families, businesses and communities and is able to respond swiftly and effectively – particularly during a recession."

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams said the poll demonstrated an urgent need to set up a cross-party Yes campaign in a referendum on beefing up the Assembly.

She said: "Just because over half of the population said that they'd vote 'yes' in a potential referendum, it is not enough to guarantee a successful referendum if or when the Labour-Plaid Government decide to hold one."

In a joint statement, Tory Assembly leader Nick Bourne and shadow Welsh secretary Cheryl Gillan said: "Polls such as this must not divert attention away from the current challenges facing the National Assembly and Assembly members.

"People are more concerned about their jobs, paying their bills and getting access to first class public services."

ICM questioned 1,000 people this month for the survey.