Senedd to be recalled to allow Eluned Morgan to be made Welsh first minister

The Senedd will be recalled early next month to allow Eluned Morgan to take over as Welsh first minister from Vaughan Gething, who quit after just four months in the job.

Baroness Morgan, 57, became the Welsh Labour leader on Wednesday after being elected unopposed but must be confirmed as first minister in a vote in the Senedd.

The Welsh Parliament is on recess and was not due to return until September.

Outgoing First Minister Mr Gething announced on Thursday that he had asked for the Senedd to be recalled on Tuesday August 6, a request that had been agreed by the Llywydd (Presiding Officer).

Under normal rules, members would not be able to vote while overseas, but the Senedd has confirmed arrangements are being made to enable this to happen.

While the recall has been welcomed by opposition groups, the Conservatives have argued it should happen sooner.

In a statement, Mr Gething said: “I have today written to the Llywydd (Presiding Officer), in accordance with Standing Order 12.3, to request arrangements are made to recall the Senedd on August 6 to nominate a new first minister.

“This is subject to receiving His Majesty the King’s acceptance of my formal offer of resignation.”

The Conservative and Plaid Cymru groups are expected to put forward their leaders as nominees for first minister, neither party is expected to have enough support to beat Baroness Morgan.

Reacting to the announcement, Andrew RT Davies MS, leader of the Senedd Tories, said: “I am grateful to the First Minister for heeding Welsh Conservative calls to recall the Senedd to give Wales some much-needed stability.

We understand how important it is that we deliver for our communities, it's what we're elected to do and what we are enthusiastic about cracking on with

“Considering the chaos that has engulfed the Labour government in Cardiff Bay, you would have thought they would have brought this decision forward by bringing in an earlier recall to give Wales that stability.

“Given that Eluned Morgan’s delivery as health minister was questionable, you would have also thought that she would want to get going straight away by being elected by the Senedd as first minister.”

Once she is confirmed, Baroness Morgan will be the first woman to lead the Welsh government in its 25-year history, something she has said she is extremely proud of.

She is also the third leader of Welsh Labour this year, after a difficult few months since Mr Gething took over from Mark Drakeford in March.

Mr Gething announced his intention to resign after four members of his government quit last week, criticising his leadership.

During the last leadership race, Mr Gething took a £200,000 donation for his campaign from a company owned by a man twice convicted of environmental offences, which led to some members of his own party criticising his judgment.

Last month, Mr Gething lost a vote of no confidence in the Senedd, after rows over the donation, and his decision to sack Delyn MS Hannah Blythyn as a minister.

Baroness Morgan ran on a “unity ticket”, promising to bring the Labour group back together.

The Senedd Labour group has now said it is time to “move on from recent events” and to get on with delivering for communities, following a meeting on Wednesday evening.

Buffy Williams, MS for Rhondda, said: “There was a real excitement around Eluned being the first woman Welsh Labour leader, and an immense sense of pride that she is set to be the first woman first minister of Wales.

“The message was clear from members, we need to move on from recent events.

“There’s a real determination in our group to turn our focus towards the needs of the people of Wales.

“We understand how important it is that we deliver for our communities, it’s what we’re elected to do and what we are enthusiastic about cracking on with.”