Eluned Morgan Shatters Glass Ceiling as Welsh Labour’s First Female Leader Amidst Political Upheaval

Eluned Morgan has been named the first female leader of Welsh Labour, emerging as the only candidate in the succession for Vaughan Gething, who stepped down amidst controversy.

Political correspondent Alix Culbertson

Wednesday, July 24, 2024, 3:

Eluned Morgan has been appointed as the new leader of Welsh Labour, facing no challengers in the contest.

Baroness Morgan, aged 57, has taken over as the leader of Welsh Labour, succeeding Vaughan Gething who resigned last Tuesday. Gething's departure came in the wake of the resignation of four government members who protested his leadership.

She is the first woman to lead Welsh Labour and is poised to be the inaugural female First Minister of Wales.

The deadline for nominations ended at noon on Wednesday, setting the stage for an anticipated nearly two-month-long campaign. Yet, Baroness Morgan emerged as the sole candidate listed.

The Welsh Parliament is now required to cast their votes to determine the next First Minister.

The Welsh Conservatives have requested that the Senedd reconvene from its summer break to hold a vote, prompted by the accelerated schedule following Baroness Morgan's emergence as the only candidate for the leadership of Welsh Labour.

Given that Welsh Labour commands the majority in the Senedd, Baroness Morgan is anticipated to be confirmed as the first minister.

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Mr. Gething has announced his intention to remain in his position until a new successor is selected.

Who is Baroness Morgan?

At the age of 27, Baroness Morgan began her political career as the youngest person to serve as a Member of the

She subsequently held the position of director of national development at the electricity firm SWALEc for a period of four years, during which she was awarded a life peerage.

In 2016, she made a comeback to politics by becoming a Member of the Senedd (MS), taking on roles as the minister for both the Welsh language and mental health. Later, in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she was appointed as the health secretary.

In 2023, she encountered a vote of no confidence due to severe backlash regarding her management of a major issue within Betsi Cadwaladr, the largest health board in Wales, which had to be put back under special measures.

She narrowly escaped the motion of no confidence, winning by three votes.

Controversy involving Vaughan Gething

In March, Mr. Gething broke new ground by becoming the first black leader of a European nation.

He was repeatedly questioned about a £200,000 contribution to his leadership campaign from a business owned by an individual with two prior convictions for environmental violations.

Commentators have argued that Mr. Gething's campaign for leadership should have refused the donation. However, the first minister defended the acceptance of the funds, stating that it complied with the regulations and was reported according to the party's guidelines.

Controversy erupted when he dismissed Minister Hannah Blythyn, who was accused of leaking text messages, a claim she refuted. Subsequently, a newspaper clarified that she was not the informant.

Plaid Cymru subsequently withdrew from its collaboration pact with the government led by Mr. Gething.

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Upon resigning, Mr. Gething released documents supporting his choice to dismiss Ms. Blythyn, highlighting that a screenshot of the leaked information lacked her initials, indicating it likely originated from her phone.

This occurred following the departure of several ministers, rendering his role unsustainable.

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