Senedd to be recalled in August to appoint new Welsh First Minister
Vaughan Gething's asked for the sitting as Eluned Morgan gets ready to replace him in the job
Last updated 25th Jul 2024
The Senedd is going to be recalled on Tuesday 6th August to allow Eluned Morgan to take over as leader of the Welsh government.
Baroness Morgan was named Welsh Labour leader on Wednesday but needs to be confirmed as first minister in a vote in the Senedd, which is currently on recess.
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 6 August to nominate a new first minister.
"This is subject to receiving His Majesty the King's acceptance of my formal offer of resignation."
The Llywydd (Presiding Officer) of the Senedd Elin Jones MS, said: "I received a request from the First Minister to recall the Senedd for Members to nominate the next person to take on the role of first minister of Wales.
"I have agreed to the request and I have written to Members of the Senedd to inform them of the recall."
The Welsh Conservatives have welcomed the recall of the Welsh Parliament to allow for a new first minister to take over but say it should be done sooner.
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.
"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."
Buffy Williams MS has released a statement on the appointment of Eluned Morgan MS as Welsh Labour leader on behalf of the Senedd Labour Group:
"Last night, we held our first Senedd Labour Group meeting following the announcement of our new leader, Eluned Morgan. 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.
“Over the summer, we will be listening to residents across our constituencies and regions to get a real feel for the priorities of our communities beyond what, at times, has looked like a distracting Senedd bubble."