The new First Minister appoints his top team
THE new Welsh Government Cabinet has been announced.
Hours after Mark Drakeford, pictured left, was sworn in as First Minister yesterday, he revealed the make-up of his top team.
As part of the reshuffle, party leadership contender Eluned 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.
There was speculation that the appointment of Mr Waters, an arch critic of the plans for a £1.3bn M4 relief road, meant Mr Drakeford was not going to back the new road.
Jane Hutt returns to government as chief whip with the rank of deputy minister, while Jeremy Miles stays as counsel general but also becomes the minister for Brexit.
Two members of former First Minister 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.
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 gender balanced – as the new First Minister pledged it would be in his
manifesto to become leader – with with eight women and six men.
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 ElisThomas
■ 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 Welsh Government also released a picture of the new Cabinet. Health Minister Mr Gething was not present as he had minor surgery at Llandough Hospital and tweeted his thanks to medics.
Mr Drakeford 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 Mr Irranca-Davies and Mr 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.”
According to a Liberal Democrat statement ahead of the official cabinet announcement, it was revealed Mr Drakeford had 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.
Mr Drakeford won a vote of Labour members to become the party’s new leader on December 6, 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.
Language campaigners welcomed the promotion of Baroness Morgan
to the Cabinet as minister for Welsh language and international relations.
Osian Rhys, chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, said: “It’s good to see the language get higher status at the cabinet table following the reshuffle.
“An important part of the Welsh language minister’s role now will be to ensure that every other minister takes their responsibility for the language as well.”
Leighton Jenkins, assistant director of CBI Wales, said: “We welcome Ken Skates AM continuing in his role as minister for the economy and transport, and Jeremy Miles AM appointment as Brexit minister.
“We look forward to working closely with the new Deputy Minister for Transport, Lee Waters AM, on a number of issues including automation and the fourth industrial revolution.”
He added: “We do not support his opposition to the M4 Relief Road Black Route and welcome the new First Minister’s manifesto commitment to tackle congestion on the M4.”