Rhodri Morgan has called on Labour to deliver its promises

In a victory speech to the party's post-election conference in County Hall, Cardiff, Mr Morgan hailed Labour's "astonishing victory" and said it must now deliver on its promises.

Labour won a small working majority in the assembly after winning 30 seats in the election - a gain of two.

We will make a reality of the healthier, wealthier, smarter Wales we talked about Rhodri Morgan

Mr Morgan told delegates that his all-Labour government's highest priority was to help the least well off in society.

He said: "We have to spread prosperity and create social justice and that sense that we are bringing home the bacon for all parts of Wales and all types of communities as well.

"We will make a reality of the healthier, wealthier, smarter Wales we talked about in the election campaign and which the people of Wales have trusted us to deliver.

"It is our job to make that agenda happen over the next four years."

Mr Morgan contrasted the fortunes of his own party with that of Plaid Cymru, whose leader Ieuan Wyn Jones resigned after Plaid lost five of their 17 assembly seats in the election.

Timetable

His speech came as Plaid bosses met in Aberystwyth to set out the timetable for a summer leadership election after Ieuan Wyn Jones announced his decision to stand down.

Mr Morgan said: "Plaid Cymru are fighting like cats in a sack.

"They don't have the maturity to cope with their downslide."

Mr Morgan also praised the gender balance of the Assembly with 30 women and 30 men as a "role model" for legislatures across the world.

But there was anger at the conference over the victory of rebel AM John Marek.

Independent

The former Labour AM held on to his Wrexham seat after standing as an independent.

This week he was re-elected assembly deputy presiding officer with the reluctant support of Labour AMs.

Mr Marek's reappointment ensured Labour's working majority as he will not vote when he presides over sessions.