Eluned Morgan on course to be next First Minister as she becomes Welsh Labour leader

Eluned Morgan has been confirmed as the new leader of Welsh Labour, and is now on course to become the next First Minister of Wales.

Baroness Morgan won the support of nearly all Labour Senedd Members to become the party’s new leader without a contest.

It comes after First Minister Vaughan Gething was forced to stand down just four months into the job, amid controversy over his campaign donations, a controversial ministerial sacking, and a lost confidence vote.

Baroness Morgan, who represents the Mid and West Wales region in the Senedd, becomes the first female leader of her party – and is set to become the first woman to serve as First Minister of Wales.

Jeremy Miles, who was beaten to the leadership by Mr Gething in March, had been tipped to stand again following his resignation from the cabinet, but instead threw his support behind Baroness Morgan.

A former Member of European Parliament and the House of Lords, she previously campaigned for the party leadership in 2018, alongside Mr Gething – but they were both beaten by Mark Drakeford.

Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney MS Dawn Bowden, who currently serves as minister for social care, is among the Labour MSs to have backed Baroness Morgan, alongside Caerphilly MS Hefin David, Islwyn MS Rhianon Passmore, and former First Minister Mr Drakeford.

Climate change and rural affairs secretary Huw Irranca-Davies, who represents the Ogmore constituency, is set to be named deputy First Minister under Baroness Morgan’s leadership.

Following her appointment as party leader, Baroness Morgan said she was “truly honoured to become the first woman to lead Welsh Labour and to be put forward as our party’s nominee to become the next First Minister of Wales”.

She continued: “At this pivotal time for our country, strength, stability, and unity will be my guiding principles. I want to ensure that everyone in Wales has the opportunity and ability to fulfil their potential.

“Huw Irranca-Davies and I stood proudly as a partnership, and we are delighted to have received the overwhelming support of Welsh Labour MSs and support from across Wales and the wider Labour movement.”

She added: “When we pledged unity, we meant it – and that is how we will lead.”

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the appointment as “fantastic news”.

Referring to this month’s general election results, he said: “We have a been given a strong mandate to deliver change for working people, and I look forward to working hand-in-hand with Eluned to deliver on our promises to Wales and Britain.”

Opposition reaction

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies congratulated Baroness Morgan on becoming the first female leader of Welsh Labour.

However, he attacked her record as health minister, and asked if she was “the best that Labour can do?”.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth also congratulated Baroness Morgan on her appointment, but hit out at “turmoil at the heart of” the Welsh Government – calling for a snap Senedd election.

When will Eluned Morgan become First Minister?

The Senedd is currently on recess for the summer, which means Baroness Morgan’s official appointment isn’t straightforward.

The Senedd will likely be recalled to allow the appointment to take place, but a date for this is yet to be confirmed.

A new First Minister has to be officially chosen by a vote in the Senedd, which has 60 members, 30 of which are Labour.

It is not uncommon for opposition parties to put their own leader up for the top job. When this happens, every MS will have to vote by roll call, with a nominee needing a simple majority to assume the role of First Minister.

The Llywydd will recommend the Welsh Parliament’s nominee to the King and the First Minister-elect will address the Senedd.

The First Minister will be appointed by Royal Warrant, a legal document authorised by the King, before being sworn in at the Welsh Government’s Cathays Park headquarters.

Mark Drakeford was the only nominee after the 2021 election but when he was first appointed in 2018, Plaid Cymru and the Tories put forward their leaders as a symbolic gesture, as was the case again in March when Vaughan Gething became First Minister.

However, after the 2016 election, the vote for First Minister between Carwyn Jones and Leanne Wood was tied until the deadlock was broken a week later.

The current parliamentary arithmetic means a tied vote is a possibility but it remains unlikely as it would require agreement between the Tories, Plaid Cymru and Lib Dems.