Welsh Labour set to appoint first-ever woman First Minister – but 'coronation' sparks fury

Eluned Morgan is set to become the new leader of Welsh Labour and the likely first minister of Wales, after no other candidates entered the race.

She will replace Vaughan Gething, who announced his resignation last week after a torrid four months in office, featuring rows over donations and sacked ministers.

Baroness Morgan, 57, the current Welsh health minister, was the only contender to be the Welsh Labour Party’s new leader as nominations closed at midday on Wednesday.

Once confirmed she will be the first woman to lead the Welsh Government.

Baroness Morgan does not automatically become Welsh Labour leader, with the party’s procedures committee to meet first. A decision from the committee is expected later today.

While she is expected to be formally announced as party leader, she would not immediately become first minister, with that requiring a confirmation vote in the Senedd.

The Welsh Parliament is currently on recess until September, and it would need to be recalled for her to take over sooner.

That will not happen until the conclusion of the Labour leadership contest and current First Minister Mr Gething tenders his resignation to the King.

The Llywydd (presiding officer) Elin Jones, can then recall the Senedd, providing adequate notice for members to attend.

Members can vote remotely, providing they are in the UK.

Responding to the announcement, Sir Keir Starmer said she "brings a wealth of experience and track-record of delivery — as the first woman to lead Welsh Labour, she is already making history".

"I look forward to working with Eluned to deliver change for Wales."

Welsh Conservatives have already said they will be asking the Llywydd for a recall if Baroness Morgan wins, with party leader Andrew RT Davies saying this would “give Wales greater stability”.

He said: “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.

“The Baroness has picked up the crown at the coronation, with Prince Charming as her deputy. Eluned Morgan has presided over the worst Welsh NHS waiting lists on record, so the question must be asked, is this really the best that Labour can do?

“If her lack of delivery in Wales’ NHS is replicated across the Welsh economy and education system then Wales is going to be a lot worse off in the future.

“The 2026 Senedd election can’t come soon enough to give Wales the change it desperately needs to unlock the hope and opportunity that will build a new and stronger Wales.”

Plaid Cymru has repeatedly called for a snap election with party leader Rhun ap Iorwerth insisting that Baroness Morgan’s leadership will be “more of the same”.

He said: “Eluned Morgan will today become the third Labour leader in Wales in three months.

“She knows that for Welsh Government to have legitimacy in such circumstances, a fresh election is needed, as Labour themselves called for when both UK and Scottish governments went through successive leadership changes.

“But they won’t allow an election, and will do all they can, including teaming up with the Conservatives, to stop that happening, it seems.”

The race to replace the First Minister began after four members of his government quit en masse last week, criticising his leadership.

Mr Gething then announced he was standing down having only taken over as leader in March.

During the last leadership race, Mr Gething took a £200,000 donation for his leadership 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 Ms Blythyn as a minister.