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Eluned Morgan announces bid to become Wales’ first female First Minister

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ELUNED MORGAN has officially declared her candidacy to succeed Vaughan Gething as Wales’ First Minister. The current health secretary is aiming to become the next Welsh Labour leader, presenting a unified front with Huw Irranca-Davies as her prospective deputy.

Morgan’s bid is grounded on a “joint unity ticket” with Irranca-Davies, signalling a move towards consolidating party unity after a period of internal strife that culminated in Gething’s resignation. Addressing a press conference, Morgan emphasised the need for Welsh Labour to learn from recent acrimonious events, which saw Gething ousted following a spate of resignations.

The announcement was made a press conference (Image M Tierney/Herald)

As it stands, the likelihood of a contest appears slim, with no other Senedd politicians expected to enter the race. Should this remain unchanged by the 12:00 BST deadline on Wednesday, Morgan will automatically ascend as the new Welsh Labour leader. Her success would mark a historic moment, as she would become Wales’ first female First Minister.

During her press conference, Morgan underscored the lessons Welsh Labour must heed from the turmoil leading to Gething’s resignation. She introduced Irranca-Davies as her “right-hand man,” aiming to fortify their leadership. Notably, former First Minister Mark Drakeford lent his support, lauding Morgan as a “great campaigning leader.”

Morgan’s campaign has already garnered significant backing, with 15 of the 30 Welsh Labour Senedd members publicly endorsing her. This tally includes key figures like former minister Julie James, former counsel general Mick Antoniw, and Neath MS Jeremy Miles, all of whom were instrumental in Gething’s resignation.

Morgan and Irranca-Davies presented a united front at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show, pledging to restore public confidence in Welsh Labour. They eschewed party factionalism, aligning themselves with the broader Welsh Labour radical tradition that has shaped the party and the country since devolution.

Morgan said her bid is grounded on a “joint unity ticket” (Image M Tierney/Herald)

Morgan highlighted the importance of a female leader, stating, “It is high time Wales had a female leader.” Addressing the practicality of their leadership arrangement, she pointed out the necessity for shared leadership during crises, positioning Irranca-Davies as a key partner.

Drakeford’s endorsement adds weight to Morgan’s candidacy. He praised her potential as a “great campaigning leader,” poised to advance Welsh Labour’s message across Wales and work synergistically with the UK Labour government. Drakeford’s previous neutrality in leadership contests makes his current endorsement particularly notable.

The concept of a “joint” ticket is unprecedented in Welsh Labour leadership contests. Morgan’s strategy includes a promise to appoint Irranca-Davies as deputy, showcasing an effort to unify the party. This role, although existing in coalition arrangements, has not been a feature within the Labour party itself, marking a formalisation of leadership coverage during the First Minister’s absence.

The announcement has elicited varied reactions. Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Andrew RT Davies criticised Morgan’s tenure as health secretary, pointing to poor NHS waiting times. Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth accused Labour of prioritising party management over policy innovation, suggesting that continued Labour leadership would perpetuate existing issues in Wales’ economic, health, and educational sectors.

As the deadline approaches, all eyes are on whether any late challengers will emerge. Should Morgan remain unopposed, her leadership will mark a significant shift for Welsh Labour, potentially ushering in a new era with her at the helm as Wales’ first female First Minister. With backing from key party figures and a clear strategy for unity and leadership, Morgan stands poised to steer Welsh Labour through the coming months and into the next electoral cycle.

 

Crime

Milford Haven disturbance sees two women arrested

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TWO WOMEN were arrested following a disturbance at the Mount Estate in Milford Haven on Saturday night (May 9).

The Herald understands the arrests followed an altercation involving four people.

Video circulating on social media shows two women lying face down on the ground outside while handcuffed and restrained by police officers.

In the footage, officers can be heard telling one woman that she is being arrested on suspicion of assaulting police.

Both women were then taken away, each flanked by officers.

Other women can be seen speaking to those detained while they remain on the ground.

The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for further details, including confirmation of the number of arrests, the nature of the incident, and whether anyone was injured.

 

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Wales enters new political era after historic Senedd election

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WALES has entered a new political era after voters delivered the biggest political upheaval since devolution.

Plaid Cymru emerged as the largest party in the Senedd, Reform UK surged into second place, and Welsh Labour was reduced to its worst result since the creation of Welsh devolution in 1999.

The result ends Labour’s long dominance of Welsh politics and leaves Cardiff Bay facing weeks of negotiations over who will form the next Welsh Government.

Labour dominance ends

For the first time since the Senedd was created, Labour is no longer the largest party in Wales.

The party fell to just nine seats in the expanded 96-member chamber, a result which has sent shockwaves through Welsh politics.

First Minister Eluned Morgan also lost her own seat in Ceredigion Penfro before announcing that she would stand down as Welsh Labour leader.

The scale of the defeat reflects deep public frustration over the NHS, public services, the cost of living, and the perception that Welsh Labour had run out of energy after decades in power.

Ken Skates has now been appointed interim Welsh Labour leader as the party begins what is likely to be a long and painful rebuilding process.

Plaid’s historic breakthrough

Plaid Cymru finished as the largest party with 43 seats, a landmark result for Rhun ap Iorwerth and his party.

It is the closest Plaid has ever come to forming a government in Wales, and gives the party the clear first opportunity to try to lead the next Welsh Government.

However, Plaid fell short of the 49 seats needed for an outright majority.

That means Rhun ap Iorwerth must now decide whether to seek a formal coalition, a confidence-and-supply arrangement, or attempt to govern as a minority administration.

The party campaigned strongly on the NHS, childcare, housing, rural Wales and economic renewal. It must now show that it can move from opposition into government and turn those promises into delivery.

Rhun ap Iorwerth after the election result was announced

Reform becomes major force

The other major story of the election was the dramatic rise of Reform UK.

The party won 34 seats, becoming the second-largest group in the Senedd and reshaping the political map across Wales.

Reform made major gains in former Labour heartlands, particularly in areas where voters have become disillusioned with Cardiff Bay politics and traditional party loyalties.

Dan Thomas, Reform Leader in Wales, after being elected (Image: BBC)

Its success means the next Senedd will be noisier, more confrontational, and far less predictable than before.

Reform will now have a large platform from which to challenge Plaid Cymru, Welsh Labour and the Conservatives on public services, immigration, the economy, and the future direction of Wales.

Dan Thomas, Reform Leader in Wales, talks to the BBC about Reforms impressive ‘trajectory’ into Wales

Smaller parties gain ground

The Conservatives were reduced to seven seats, leaving them much diminished after years of trying to present themselves as the main alternative to Labour.

The Wales Green Party won two seats, giving the party its first real foothold in the Senedd.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats won one seat, ensuring they remain represented in Cardiff Bay.

The new electoral system, which expanded the Senedd from 60 to 96 members and introduced 16 larger constituencies electing six MSs each, helped create a far more proportional result.

It has also produced a chamber in which smaller parties and tactical negotiations will matter more than ever.

Former First Minister Eluned Morgan arrives at the count in Ceredigion, accompanies by Labour candidate Cllr Marc Tierney

What happens next?

The key issue now is who can command enough support to govern.

Plaid Cymru, as the largest party, will be expected to lead the process of forming an administration.

But without a majority, every major vote will matter. Budgets, major laws, confidence votes and key policy decisions will all require careful negotiation.

A formal deal with another party may prove difficult. A minority Plaid government is possible, but it would need support from other MSs to survive.

That means the next few weeks could be decisive for the future of Wales.

A changed country

This was more than a bad night for Labour or a breakthrough for Plaid and Reform.

It was a clear sign that Welsh politics has changed.

Old loyalties have weakened. Voters who once backed the same party for generations have shown they are prepared to move. The next Senedd will be more divided, more unpredictable, and more difficult to control.

For Wales, the message is stark.

The Labour era is over. Plaid Cymru now has its greatest opportunity yet. Reform UK has arrived as a major force. And whoever forms the next Welsh Government will have to prove quickly that change means more than a different set of faces in Cardiff Bay.

 

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Haverfordwest Castle redevelopment on track for 2028 reopening

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Major project will create new visitor attraction, events space, museum and improved town links

HAVERFORDWEST Castle is on course to reopen in 2028 following a major redevelopment project aimed at transforming the historic site into a high-quality visitor attraction.

County Councillor Thomas Tudor, who represents the Castle Ward in Haverfordwest, recently visited the site to see the progress being made.

He said: “As County Councillor for the Castle Ward in Haverfordwest, it was lovely to visit the Haverfordwest Castle Redevelopment Project and see the progress that has been achieved.

“I am very much looking forward to the Castle reopening in 2028.”

The project will see the mediaeval castle conserved for future generations, while the Inner Bailey has been landscaped so it can host events for up to 500 people.

These could include concerts, plays, craft fairs, Christmas markets and other community events.

The wider castle grounds are also being improved, with new interpretation explaining the history of the site, as well as family-friendly activities.

The building which houses Haverfordwest Museum, the Governor’s House, is being conserved, while the museum exhibition inside will be completely refurbished and modernised.

The former gaol building will also be transformed into a visitor attraction telling the story of Pembrokeshire’s past and future in an interactive and family-friendly way.

The attraction will include a café, shop, community spaces and exhibition areas.

Work is also taking place to improve the physical route between the castle and the town centre at Castle Back, with better signage planned to help visitors find the castle and navigate Haverfordwest more easily.

The castle is expected to reopen in 2028.

 

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