Eluned Morgan ‘really proud’ to become first female Welsh leader

The new leader of the Labour Party in Wales expressed her happiness at being close to becoming the first female leader of her party in the UK. She also pledged to unite the divisions within the Welsh government.

Eluned Morgan, a member of the House of Lords, acknowledged that it was unusual for a female aristocrat to be leading Welsh Labour. However, she believes that her relationships within both the UK House of Commons and House of Lords will benefit the people of Wales.

Lady Morgan, the current health secretary in Wales, is now the leader as no one else stepped up for the position following Vaughan Gething's resignation due to a scandal involving donations.

The Welsh parliament, known as the Senedd, is likely to be brought back from its break in the coming weeks for a vote to appoint Morgan as the new first minister.

After Morgan was appointed, she visited a community center in western Cardiff where she was raised. A musical group from her father's church performed folk songs.

During her address, she referred to it as a significant moment in history and expressed her deep sense of pride in being the first female leader of Welsh Labour.

In an interview with the Guardian, she expressed the importance of having inspirational figures to look up to. She believes it is time for change and for women to take on leadership roles in all areas of society, especially within the Labour party. She hopes to meet the high expectations placed upon her and be a role model for others.

Morgan mentioned that she planned to visit the residents of Wales this summer to inquire about their main concerns. "I will be attentive to their feedback so they can express their desires to us," she explained. "This approach is about shifting the power dynamic and embracing new methods. Stay tuned in the coming weeks and months to see how things will evolve under female leadership."

She mentioned that her upbringing in the area had a significant impact on her. She explained that the lack of opportunities for talented and bright individuals in her community motivated her to work harder and strive for success.

Morgan expressed her desire for the Welsh government and Keir Starmer's administration to work together in order to bring about important changes.

When asked about her title, she mentioned that she called herself the Baroness of Ely, which represents the council housing estate she grew up in. She emphasized the importance of collaborating with Westminster and acknowledged the benefits of having connections in the House of Lords.

Morgan expressed her commitment to bringing together the divided Welsh Labour party, following the controversy surrounding Gething. She acknowledged the recent turmoil within the party, stating that it is important to be honest about the current situation.

There is a possibility that the Senedd will be called back into session next week. The process of choosing a first minister involves each member declaring their vote one by one. A challenge arises because members currently outside of the UK are not permitted to vote, posing an issue for those on holiday abroad.

It is possible that other groups have nominated their leaders for the position as well. However, since the Labour party holds half of the seats, with 30 out of 60, it is likely that Morgan will be officially appointed. This is further supported by the fact that the only Liberal Democrat member in parliament, Jane Dodds, has stated that she will not vote either way.

Andrew RT Davies, who leads the Welsh Conservatives, commented: “Baroness Morgan has taken on a leadership role. Eluned Morgan has overseen the highest Welsh NHS waiting lists ever recorded, so we have to wonder, is this truly the top choice for the Labour party?”

Plaid Cymru's leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, urged for a Senedd election to be held. He remarked, "The constant turnover of leaders within the party indicates significant upheaval within the government."

Gething stated that he would be stepping down from his position after four high-ranking members of the Welsh government resigned last week.