Rhodri Morgan uses the internet for the first time...

Former Welsh First Minister Rhodri Morgan has been targeted by online fraudsters, MPs were told today.

Skills Minister Kevin Brennan said Mr Morgan, who stood down last year, was sent an email from a woman saying he was “exactly the kind of man she was looking for”.

During Commons question time, Mr Brennan – MP for Cardiff West – joked that the message had not come from Mr Morgan’s wife Julie, the MP for Cardiff North.

After setting out measures being taken to combat online fraud – particularly among vulnerable and older people – Mr Brennan revealed that 70-year-old Mr Morgan raised the alarm after receiving the email.

He said: “The former first minister of Wales, Rhodri Morgan, has just taken up the internet and he recently in the office received an email which he showed to me from someone – from a woman – who said she was exactly the kind of man she was looking for.

“I did point out that it was not from the Hon Member for Cardiff North, his wife.”

P.S. More amusing news comes from Jonathan Morgan AM "Rhodri Morgan's mutterings from the back of the Senedd make him sound like Fr Jack, the old priest in BBC's Father Ted series!

What if...

Following on from Senedd Whip's earlier post speculating on Eluned Morgan MEP's gap two-years, my mind started to wonder or even wander over a glass or two of wine.

What if... Welsh Labour have designs on Eluned Morgan becoming leader in Wales. She is a woman and we all know that they prefer equal representation in Welsh democracy (and even in the civil service, moving on to Dame Gillian Morgan from Sir Jon Shortridge).

What if... Jane Davidson AM was persuaded to 'resign' her seat in the National Assembly, after all, it could be for personal reasons and she hasn't got to disclose them if she leaves sooner than expected. No scandal over an unnecessary by-election. She's already forewarned us about her intention to stand down in 2011.

What if... First Minister Rhodri Morgan considers it a good idea to prolong the leadership contest, after all he's feeling better and healthier than he has done for years; and is known for supporting Labour-friends above and beyond the call of duty, as seen with Ministers Jane and Jane.

What if... a by-election was called in Pontypridd before 2011 and a certain leading figure in Welsh Labour and constituent friend of Rhodri's was 'convinced' to stand for the good of the party, and won.

What if... the leadership contest of the Welsh Labour party was then held after a reasonable and respectable amount of time post by-election, and certain 'said constituency friend' of Rhodri Morgan had the backing of the man himself, the Welsh Labour party, and the unions.

This would - of course - annoy quite a few members in the process.

They say that 'What if...' is a game for scholars, of which I am not... but... what if...

The old chestnut of all-women shortlists

What would happen if Labour continued with their old plan of introducing all-women shortlists? It failed to work when attempted previously in a true Labour heartland.

Would it work in Cardiff West? Would an 'intended incumbent' be happy with this if she was already told?

But what if...

[Hat-tip to Mr Anonymous]

Eluned Morgan MEP: Open parachute

The plane is flying over from Brussels and the cargo door is clearly open. Everything depends on how good the pilot's skills are, and the need to take into account his vision. The parachute is also visible and open. It's all down to how safely she can land in either Cardiff West or Pontypridd.

Born in 1967, she was educated at Atlantic College and the University of Hull. Eluned formerly worked as a researcher for S4C, and the BBC, and in 1990 worked as a Stagiaire in the European Parliament. She was the youngest MEP when she took up her seat in 1994 as the Labour member for Mid & West Wales and was subsequently re-elected in 1999 and 2004 as MEP for Wales.

Update:

In her letter to the Labour party on standing down to spend time with her family, Ms Morgan correctly refers to the party in saying "The Labour Party is my family" and remembered to thank the unions, "I would also like to thank the trade unions with whom I have cooperated with over the years to ensure that the voice of the worker has been heard in the corridors of Brussels where more has been done to further social rights than anywhere else."

In the bag, just not in time to take the leadership as well... unless....

Just saying!