Eluned Morgan elected Welsh Labour leader unopposed

Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed confirmation of Eluned Morgan as leader of Welsh Labour and the country’s next first minister.

The 57-year-old Welsh health secretary will be the first woman to do either job after no one else in the Senedd group of Labour politicians stood against her.

The contest was triggered by the resignation of Vaughan Gething, who was forced out by the resignations of four senior politicians in his government.

Ms Morgan – who will be the third first minister in Wales this year – promised to unify Welsh Labour which has been beset with splits since Mr Gething was elected in March.

In her first interview with the BBC she said Labour owed Wales an “apology” for the weeks of turmoil.

The Welsh Conservatives said Ms Morgan had been coronated, while Plaid Cymru said the election showed the “turmoil” in Labour.

Her leadership was confirmed by the party on Wednesday – she was the only nominee.

The Cardiff-born politician is a former Member of the European Parliament and a life peer who has been MS for Mid and West Wales since 2016.

Ms Morgan, who has overseen the Welsh health service since the last Senedd election, has promised to unify the split Welsh Labour group, which has been beset by rows since the election of Mr Gething last March.

Huw Irranca-Davies, who supported Mr Gething’s opponent Jeremy Miles in the last leadership contest, is expected to be her deputy.

Vaughan Gething had succeeded Mark Drakeford, who had been first minister since 2018.

Ms Morgan said she was “truly honoured” to be elected.

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

Speaking to BBC Wales, Ms Morgan said it was “important to apologise to the Welsh public”.

“We have not made a good fist of things in the past few weeks,” she said.

“But this is about turning a new page.”

With no contest, Ms Morgan has not set out what she will do as first minister.

She promised to listen to the public: “Rather than us set the agenda, we’ll let the people of Wales set the agenda for us.

“I imagine that they would want a much stronger economy than we’ve got at the moment, focusing on good quality, ideally, green jobs.

“I imagine that they would like an NHS that works better, better education standards, better buses and transport.”

She said are people coming in “I hope from outside of Wales” to look at what the NHS is doing on its high waiting lists.

Asked if she would give up her peerage, she said she had not been to the House of Lords “for many years”.

“I’m hoping I will be able to pause that relationship and have that opportunity if necessary to think about what happens in the future.

Prime minister Keir Starmer said: “Eluned’s election as Welsh Labour leader and candidacy for first minister is fantastic news for Wales and for the Labour Party.

“Eluned brings with her a wealth of experience and track-record of delivery, and as the first woman to lead Welsh Labour, she is already making history.”

Plaid Cymru’s Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “The fact that she is the third leader in three months speaks volumes about the turmoil at the heart of the governing party.”

He attacked her record as health minister: “The direct legacy of Eluned Morgan’s time in government so far is record high waiting lists and an inability to get to grips with the significant challenges with the NHS.”

Andrew RT Davies, Welsh Conservative leader in the Senedd, added: “I firstly congratulate Eluned Morgan on becoming the first female leader of Welsh Labour and, if supported by the Senedd, Wales’ first ever female first minister.”

He said she has presided over the “worst Welsh NHS waiting lists on record”.

“The baroness has picked up the crown at the coronation, with Prince Charming as her deputy,” he added.

While her role as Welsh Labour leader is confirmed, a formal roll call vote is required of all 60 MSs before the first minister job is officially passed to her.

With only one candidate in the race it became apparent that Mr Gething may quit earlier than planned – requiring the Senedd to be recalled.

BBC Wales was told earlier in the week that discussions have happened between the first minister’s office, Welsh Labour and the Senedd.

The Senedd would require a request from the Welsh government to bring the parliament back from recess.

While it is expected such a request would be granted, full plans are not being made yet and there is no date for a recall.

The fact that some MSs are abroad on holiday would be an added complication.

How a vote would work – a roll call of the 60 MSs – if those circumstances did not change is unclear.

The vote requires every MS to say out loud who they think should be first minister.

In theory, the opposition – with exactly half the numbers in the Senedd – could prevent Ms Morgan from being confirmed by getting behind a single candidate.

But that is not going to happen and Labour will have the numbers to get their new first minister confirmed.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Jane Dodds plans to abstain, while Conservatives and Plaid Cymru plan to nominate their own leaders.