Wales’s First Minister Eluned Morgan has announced her new cabinet days after her predecessor announced he would quit the Senedd.
Baroness Morgan had appointed an interim cabinet during the summer, including a surprise return for former first minister Mark Drakeford as health secretary.
On Wednesday, Mr Drakeford was confirmed to be staying on in government as finance and Welsh language secretary.
Her immediate predecessor as first minister, Vaughan Gething, officially stepped down last month after four months in the role.
Mr Gething’s time in office came to an end after several ministers quit his government, calling for him to go.
He had only succeeded Mr Drakeford as first minister in March.
Two of those ministers have returned to government as part of the latest reshuffle, including Mr Gething’s former leadership rival Jeremy Miles.
Mr Miles becomes health secretary, while Julie James returns as counsel general – the government’s top legal job – and minister for delivery.
Mr Gething announced on Saturday that he would quit the Welsh parliament entirely at the next election in 2026.
In a statement, he said he would not seek a role in Baroness Morgan’s government and would instead show his support from the backbenches.
The first minister said her new top team represented “all of Wales” and would “offer stability, draw on experience, and bring our collective talents together”.
The Welsh Conservatives, the largest opposition group in the Senedd, said it was “still the same old Labour” after the reshuffle and claimed the party would focus on “pointless pet projects”.
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Huw Irranca Davies, who stood on a joint ticket with Eluned Morgan in the Welsh Labour leadership contest, remains deputy first minister and secretary for climate change and rural affairs.
Ken Skates keeps the transport and North Wales briefs, while Rebecca Evans becomes economy secretary.
Lynne Neagle and Jayne Bryant stay on as education and housing secretaries, while Jane Hutt remains social justice secretary, as well as the government’s chief whip and Trefnydd (leader of the house).
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The only new face to join the government as part of the reshuffle is Vikki Howells, who becomes minister for further and higher education.
Sarah Murphy and Dawn Bowden stay on as ministers for mental health and social care, respectively.
Jack Sergeant remains minister for social partnership, but with culture and skills added to his brief.
Baroness Morgan is expected to face her first session of first minister’s questions next week.
Source Agencies
