Drakeford is voted in as Wales’ new First Minister
MARK DRAKEFORD has become Wales’ new First Minister. Mr Drakeford won a vote of Labour members to become the party’s new leader last Thursday, which was followed by a vote of all AMs.
A vote took place in the Senedd yesterday to select the new First Minister after Carwyn Jones submitted his resignation to the Queen on Tuesday after leading his final First Minister’s Questions. Plaid Cymru’s leader Adam Price and Welsh Conservative leader Paul Davies both put their names forward for the vote.
Labour has 29 members, but both Kirsty Williams and Dafydd Elis-Thomas gave Mr Drakeford their vote. Carwyn Jones, who has taken a seat on the backbench in the chamber next to Julie Morgan and Jane Hutt, also voted for his Labour colleague.
Neither presiding officer Elin Jones nor deputy presiding officer Ann Jones can take part in the vote. Ukip members abstained, Mandy Jones was absent, and Independent Neil McEvoy voted for Plaid leader Adam Price.
As he received half of the votes cast, Mr Drakeford won the ballot and the presiding officer now puts his name forward to the Queen. He will also need to be sworn in by a judge.
Mr Drakeford said he wants to be a “beacon of hope in darkening skies”.
He said “the skies around us have darkened even further in the days since”.
Mr Drakeford thanked his predecessor Carwyn Jones and paid tribute to his friend and first First Minister, the late Rhodri Morgan.
He now needs to select a cabinet, something he is expected to do quickly.
According to a Lib Dem statement, he has already selected Kirsty Williams to continue with the education brief, carrying on the role she has been in since a deal was drawn up after the 2016 election.
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