Politics
Wales’ First Minister: What happens next?

THIS WEEK will see Mark Drakeford formally step down, with his successor as Wales’ new first minister set to be appointed and a cabinet reshuffle on the horizon.
Following Vaughan Gething’s victory in the Welsh Labour leadership contest, here’s what you can expect as the formal resignation and nomination process gets under way.
Mark Drakeford announced he would be stepping down on 13 December, exactly five years to the day since he was appointed Wales’ first minister in 2018.
He will take his final first minister’s questions on Tuesday, 19 March from 1.30pm.
The outgoing First Minister will be quizzed about his record in office, with questions tabled on the 20mph limit, disused mines and Wales’ place in the world.
Mr Drakeford will then formally tender his resignation to King Charles III.
He is scheduled to give a 30-minute resignation statement in the Senedd at about 3.45pm, with party leaders and MSs expected to take this opportunity to pay tribute.
On Wednesday March 20, the Welsh Government will inform Elin Jones, the Senedd’s speaker or Llywydd, as soon as the Palace confirms the resignation has been accepted.
Ms Jones will then make a written statement to notify the Senedd that this has been received, which marks the point at which Mark Drakeford has formally resigned.
Nominations for the next First Minister will then take place in the Senedd’s chamber or Siambr during the afternoon’s plenary session.
Exact timings are to be confirmed on Wednesday morning but it will either be the first item on the agenda at 1.30pm or after climate change and health questions at nearer 3pm.
If only Vaughan Gething is nominated, he will be declared the First Minister-elect.
But if more than one nomination is made, every Senedd member – except Ms Jones and her deputy, David Rees – will vote by roll call with the nominee requiring a simple majority.
The Llywydd will recommend the Welsh Parliament’s nominee to the King and the First Minister-elect will address the Senedd.
The First Minister will be appointed by Royal Warrant, a legal document authorised by the King, before being sworn in at the Welsh Government’s Cathays Park headquarters.
Mr Drakeford was the only nominee after the 2021 election but when he was first appointed in 2018, Plaid Cymru and the Tories put forward their leaders as a symbolic gesture.
However, after the 2016 election, the vote for First Minister between Carwyn Jones and Leanne Wood was tied until the deadlock was broken a week later.
The current parliamentary arithmetic means a tied vote is a possibility but it remains unlikely as it would require agreement between the Tories, Plaid Cymru and Lib Dems.
Vaughan Gething is expected to reshuffle the cabinet in the first week of the Senedd’s Easter recess, which begins on Monday, March 25.
Ministers remain in post in the interim but the counsel general, the Welsh Government’s chief legal adviser, will cease to hold office when the First Minister is appointed.
While Mr Gething will want to put his own stamp on the government, most of the Labour group backed his opponent, Jeremy Miles, so he will need to build some bridges.
Mr Miles, who is education minister, is likely to be offered a ministerial post as a result.
However, a handful of MSs could leave the frontbenches, with Lee Waters already having confirmed he is set to leave his post as deputy minister for transport.
Eluned Morgan and Rebecca Evans, Wales’ health and finance ministers respectively, both backed Mr Gething for leader and will likely stay in the cabinet.
Lynne Neagle and Dawn Bowden, deputy ministers for mental health and culture respectively, also supported his leadership bid and could be promoted.
Jayne Bryant and Ken Skates, who ran Mr Gething’s campaign, could be set for new roles.
Mr Skates stood down as economy minister in 2021 after eight years in government to spend more time in his Clwyd South constituency.
Alyn and Deeside MS Jack Sargeant, and Cynon Valley MS Vikki Howells, could be among the fresh faces in the running – as could Caerphilly MS Hefin David.
The new First Minister can appoint a temporary counsel general with Mick Antoniw, the incumbent, seen as the frontrunner.
Uniquely, this role can be filled by a non-Senedd member but Theodore Huckle, a barrister, was the first, and so far only, independent professional counsel general from 2011 to 2016.
In the days following the Welsh Government reshuffle, the Conservatives are expected to rearrange their own frontbench team in the Senedd.
Wales’ new First Minister will take their first FMQs following the Easter recess on April 16.
That week is likely to see changes to Senedd committee memberships and a motion to formally recommend a new counsel general to the King.
News
Hundreds of Pembrokeshire Council Tax defaulters in court next week

HAVERFORDWEST Magistrates’ Court will hear cases against hundreds of defendants next week as Pembrokeshire County Council seeks liability orders for unpaid council tax and non-domestic rates.
The session, scheduled for Monday (Mar 17) at 10:00am, will see a block of cases between 12:00pm and 1:00pm dedicated to council tax disputes. The council is applying for liability orders under regulation 34 of the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992.
A total of 341 defendants are listed for non-payment of council tax, while a further 18 cases relate to unpaid non-domestic rates under Regulation 12 of the Non-Domestic Rating (Collection and Enforcement) (Local Lists) Regulations 1989.
Liability orders allow the council to take further enforcement action, which may include deductions from wages or benefits, bailiff action, or bankruptcy proceedings.
The Herald will provide further updates following the hearing.
News
Reimburse charities for NI rise, say Welsh Conservatives

CHARITIES not-for-profits, and voluntary organisations in Wales face mounting financial strain due to an increase in employer National Insurance (NI) contributions, prompting calls for government intervention.
The UK Labour Government’s decision to raise employer NI contributions has drawn sharp criticism from the Welsh Conservatives, who warn that the move will place an undue burden on charities and voluntary groups. While public sector bodies such as the NHS and local councils will receive compensation for the additional costs, charities providing essential services under local authority contracts will not be reimbursed.
A survey by the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) found that 84% of voluntary organisations are concerned about how they will manage the NI increase.
Senedd debate on reimbursement
Next week, the Welsh Conservatives will bring forward a Senedd debate urging the Welsh Labour Government to press Westminster for financial support for Welsh charities, not-for-profits, and voluntary organisations. The motion argues these groups should be classified under the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) definition of public sector employees to qualify for reimbursement.
Welsh Conservative Shadow Secretary for Economy, Energy, and Welsh Language, Samuel Kurtz MS, said:
“Welsh charities, not-for-profits, and voluntary organisations play a vital role in delivering public services that the most vulnerable in society depend upon.
“Labour’s decision to increase employer National Insurance contributions will have a detrimental impact on the future and viability of these organisations.
“The Welsh Conservatives are clear: Labour must ensure that Welsh charities, not-for-profits, and voluntary organisations are reimbursed for this rise in employer National Insurance contributions.”
Sector voices concern
The WCVA has also warned that the NI increase could put crucial community services at risk.
A WCVA spokesperson said: “WCVA is deeply concerned about the impact of increased Employers’ National Insurance contributions on voluntary sector organisations across Wales. Many of these organisations already face significant financial pressures, and this increase threatens to put additional strain on their resources and potentially jeopardise vital services delivered to communities.
“We have strongly urged both the UK and Welsh Governments to recognise the invaluable role the voluntary sector plays, especially in partnership with public services. We believe it is critical for voluntary organisations delivering public services to be treated equitably and included in any financial support measures, ensuring they are not disproportionately disadvantaged by these policy changes.
“WCVA welcomes the debate in the Senedd and hopes it will lead to productive discussions and practical solutions to protect the voluntary sector’s essential contribution to Welsh society.”
Motion to be debated
The Senedd motion, set for debate next week, states:
- Notes the UK Government’s increase to employer National Insurance contributions, coming into effect for the 2025-26 tax year.
- Recognises the detrimental impact the increase will have on Welsh charities, not-for-profits, and voluntary organisations.
- Calls on the Welsh Government to make urgent representations to the UK Government to ensure that these organisations delivering public services are included in the ONS-defined public sector category and are reimbursed for the rise in employer National Insurance contributions.
The debate will determine whether Welsh Labour will push for financial support to shield the voluntary sector from these additional costs.
News
Local Authority is ‘hoarding cash’ as Council Tax rises by 9.35%, says MS

DEMANDS FOR REFORM AS COUNCIL’S £83 MILLION RESERVES REVEALED
PEMBROKESHIRE residents are bracing for a 9.35% council tax rise, despite local authorities across Wales holding more than £2 billion in reserves. The increase, among the highest in Wales, comes as families struggle with soaring living costs and a series of consecutive tax hikes.

Local Senedd Member Paul Davies has called for urgent reform, criticising the Welsh Government’s Local Government Funding Formula and urging councils to use their reserves to ease the burden on taxpayers.
‘UNFAIR AND UNSUSTAINABLE’
Mr Davies said: “Under the Welsh Government, the Local Government Funding Formula remains broken.
“It cannot be right that people in Pembrokeshire face such a huge increase in their council tax while councils across Wales are sitting on over £2 billion in usable reserves.
“The Welsh Government must do more to keep council tax as low as possible by encouraging the use of reserves, improving efficiency within councils, and promoting the sharing of resources across council boundaries.”

CALLS FOR CHANGE
The Welsh Conservatives have consistently opposed large council tax increases, calling for an independent review of the Local Government Funding Formula. They argue that councils should:
- Use reserves to reduce tax rises.
- Improve efficiency by cutting unnecessary spending.
- Increase cooperation between councils to share services and lower costs.
RISING RESERVES, RISING BILLS
For years, Pembrokeshire had the lowest council tax in Wales, but after a 12.5% rise in 2024-25, it has surged significantly. Despite this, Pembrokeshire County Council holds £82.6 million in usable reserves, equivalent to 28.4% of its annual service expenditure.
In 2016-17, the council held just £47 million in reserves, rising to £83 million in 2021-22. Critics argue that this surplus should be used to relieve financial pressures rather than imposing further tax hikes.
With councils under fire for hoarding cash while demanding more from residents, pressure is mounting on the Welsh Government to overhaul funding and prevent further unaffordable rises.
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