Drakeford unveils his new cabinet
THE new Welsh Government cabinet has been announced.
Hours after Mark Drakeford was sworn in as First Minister, he revealed the makeup of his top team.
Two members of Carwyn Jones’ cabinet have been axed: children, older people and social care deputy minister Huw Irranca-Davies and local government and public services minister Alun Davies.
Both men had backed Eluned Morgan for the leadership of Welsh Labour.
As part of the reshuffle, Ms Morgan has been promoted from deputy minister to full minister and given responsibility for “international relations”.
Gower AM Rebecca Evans, who was a minister for housing, is also promoted and takes on Mr Drakeford’s previous position as Finance Minister.
There are also two new members of the government: Llanelli AM Lee Waters becomes Deputy Transport Minister and Cardiff North AM Julie Morgan becomes Deputy Minister for Health.
The old title of cabinet secretary has also been ditched and they will simply be known as ministers and deputy ministers.
The new cabinet is:
■ Minister for Health and Social Services – Vaughan Gething.
■ Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services – Julie Morgan.
■ Minister for International Relations and the Welsh Language – Eluned Morgan.
■ Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism – Dafydd Elis-Thomas.
■ Minister for Economy and Transport – Ken Skates.
■ Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport – Lee Waters.
■ Minister for Housing and Local Government – Julie James.
■ Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government – Hannah Blythyn.
■ Minister for Finance and Trefnydd – Rebecca Evans.
■ Minister for Education – Kirsty Williams.
■ Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs – Lesley Griffiths.
■ Counsel General Designate and Brexit Minister – Jeremy Miles.
■ Deputy Minister and Chief Whip – Jane Hutt.
The First Minister said: “It is an enormous privilege for me to be appointed First Minister of Wales.
“Every leader needs a strong team around them and I am delighted to introduce my new cabinet which is a strong mix of experience, talent and passion.
“Brexit is our greatest challenge. In the extraordinary and regrettable circumstances created by the UK Government, it is vital that we prepare for all outcomes.
“I have retained ministers in posts where their experience of Brexit preparation is key, while creating a new post to reflect the priority I attach to international relationships and trade.
“As a government we will continue to speak up for Wales, to fight our country’s corner and make sure the government in London is never in any doubt at all of what matters to the people of Wales.”
Mr Drakeford first announced that Huw Irranca-Davies and Alun Davies would not remain in government.
Speaking about Ogmore AM Mr Irranca-Davies, he said: “I’d like to pay tribute to Huw’s dedication and expertise over the last year in driving forward the Welsh Government’s agenda for children, older people and social care.”
Speaking about Mr Davies, former cabinet secretary for local government and public services, Mr Drakeford said: “Alun has been at the heart of government for many years and has been instrumental in driving forward many important areas of policy during that time.
“He has been a powerful voice for communities within government, most recently driving forward our agenda to revitalise our Valley communities.”
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 on Wednesday 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.