First Minister Mark Drakeford appoints new cabinet

Wales
Cardiff
North Wales
South Wales
Thursday 13 December 2018 at 5:06pm

The new First Minister has announced his cabinet team to lead Wales. Leadership rival Eluned Morgan has joined the cabinet for the first time while Secretary for Local Government and Public Services Alun Davies has been sacked.

Mark Drakeford had already said he planned for a 50/50 gender split cabinet and has named eight women and six men in his new ministerial team.

Wales' new First Minister was officially sworn in on Thursday afternoon.

Health Secretary Vaughan Gething, another contender in the Welsh Labour leadership election, remains in post. The AM for Cardiff South and Penarth missed Thursday's photo opportunity as he was undergoing surgery.

Notable absentees from the new cabinet are Alun Davies who had served as Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services. Junior minister Huw Irranca-Davies has also been sacked, he had been Minister for Children, Older People and Social Care.

Alun Davies originally nominated Eluned Morgan for leader ahead of the Welsh Labour leadership contest. He has faced criticism in the past for likening councils to "Oliver Twist, always asking for more".

In a statement the First Minister paid tribute to the work of both AMs. He said Alun Davies had been a "powerful voice" in "the heart of government" and described Huw Irranca-Davies' "dedication and expertise" to the role.

The new cabinet and deputy ministers:

Vaughan Gething - Minister for Health and Social Services
Julie Morgan - Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services
Eluned Morgan - Minister for International Relations and the Welsh Language
Dafydd Elis-Thomas - Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism
Ken Skates - Minister for Economy and Transport
Lee Waters - Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport
Julie James - Minister for Housing and Local Government
Hannah Blythyn - Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government
Rebecca Evans - Minister for Finance and Trefnydd
Kirsty Williams - Minister for Education
Lesley Griffiths - Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs
Jeremy Miles - Counsel General Designate and Brexit Minister
Jane Hutt - Deputy Minister and Chief Whip

The First Minister was confirmed after a vote in the Senedd on Wednesday.

Mark Drakeford was officially sworn in as First Minister of Wales on Thursday afternoon before the new cabinet was announced. In a statement he said he was "delighted" with the final cabinet.

It is an enormous privilege for me to be appointed First Minister of Wales. Every leader needs a strong team around them, and I am delighted to introduce my new cabinet which is a strong mix of experience, talent and passion. Brexit is our greatest challenge. In the extraordinary and regrettable circumstances created by the UK Government, it is vital that we prepare for all outcomes. I have retained Ministers in posts where their experience of Brexit preparation is key, while creating a new post to reflect the priority I attach to international relationships and trade. As a government we will continue to speak up for Wales, to fight our country’s corner and make sure the government in London is never in any doubt at all of what matters to the people of Wales.