'It is the honour of my life': Eluned Morgan becomes First Minister of Wales
"The grey suits are out": Eluned Morgan becomes the first woman to lead the Welsh Government
Eluned Morgan has become the new First Minister of Wales.
She is the first woman to lead the Welsh government in its 25-year history and takes over from Vaughan Gething, who resigned after a turbulent four months in charge.
Baroness Morgan had been confirmed as leader of the Welsh Labour Party in July, but could not take over as first minister without a vote in the Senedd.
She received the vote of 28 Senedd members, with the opposition parties, the Conservatives and Plaid Cymru voting for their own leaders.
Their votes totalled 27 but with the sole Lib Dem Senedd member Jane Dodds choosing to abstain from the vote, Baroness Morgan's leadership was confirmed.
Speaking to the Siambr, the new first minister acknowledged the difficulty her party had faced in recent months.
She told the Senedd: “The last few weeks have been difficult and we have been through some turmoil. But we know that we are at our best when we work in unity as a party and as a nation.”
Eluned Morgan said her Government’s “focus will be firmly on Wales and its people, listening to what people want and delivering in every corner of this great nation”.
She also confirmed Huw Irranca-Davies would be her deputy first minister, describing him as “impressive”, adding: “I couldn’t ask for a more capable political partner.”
After the vote, Baroness Morgan stepped out of the Senedd's debating chamber to the song 'Girl on Fire' by Alicia Keys.
Referencing her role as the first woman to lead the Welsh Parliament, she described it as "the honour of my life", telling women watching "you need to know your potential is limitless."
On Tuesday, the Prime Minister Keir Starmer offered Eluned Morgan his congratulations, saying on X: "I know Eluned will lead a unified and ambitious Welsh government."
Keir Starmer had previously defended former first minister Vaughan Gething against criticism as they made a number of appearances together on the General Election campaign trail.
At one campaign event, Keir Starmer thanked Vaughan Gething for his “leadership here in Wales”, saying: “It’s been really good to work with you so far in my position as leader of the opposition. I’m really looking forward to a new partnership where we can both deliver together for Wales."
He had also said that it was “absolutely clear” that Mr Gething had broken no rules following criticism that he had accepted a £200,000 donation from a company owned by a convicted criminal.
He previously told GB News: “Vaughan Gething has answered all the questions that are put to him."
Scotland’s First Minister has also congratulated his new Welsh counterpart on her election, calling it a "historic moment for Wales.“Leader of the Scottish National Party, John Swinney, said: "I have no doubt she will lead her Government with passion and determination, steadfastly standing up for the people of Wales.
"I look forward to working together with her on common challenges and building on the strong relationship between Scotland and Wales."
Welsh opposition party leaders welcomed Eluned Morgan to the role but questioned about the future of the Welsh Government.
Welsh Tory leader Andrew RT Davies urged the new first minister to act quickly, saying: “You are the third first minister in this year and ultimately that obviously has had a very corrosive effect in the delivery of Government and the delivery of initiatives that the Government has brought forward here in Wales.”
Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said his party would “wish her well today”.
But referencing the demises of Liz Truss and Humza Yousaf, he added: “We also remind her and her Government that in similar circumstances elsewhere the Labour hierarchy argued that multiple changes in leadership in Westminster and in Scotland undermines the democratic legitimacy of Government and demanded fresh elections.
“It is for Labour to explain why different rules should apply in Wales.”
Family and friends welcomed Eluned Morgan as the First Minister of Wales and credited her for smashing the glass ceiling
Eluned Morgan's brother Rhys Morgan was proud of his sister. He said: " My big sister is leader of Wales. She was born to rule. She has always bossed me around, so this is just a progression to that."
The First Minister's niece Martha Morgan called her aunt an inspiration. She said: " A woman at such a position of power is just inspirational."
Eluned Morgan's daughter said: " It has been quite overwhelming and seeing everyone support her is nice actually.
"In her speech she mentioned that this should be a new opening for women in politics."
Debbie Wilcox, Baroness Wilcox of Newport and Member of the House of Lords said: "I am absolutely delighted. It is the smashing of the glass ceiling in the best possible way."
Baroness Anita Gale added: " It has been a very long journey for a woman to get to this position.
"When I think back to when the assembly started and the first elections we had and Labour was so determined that we'd get equal number of male and female candidates, I can't tell you the struggle it was but we achieved it."
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