First Minister of Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids First Minister of Wales |
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 Rhun ap Iorwerth since 12 May 2026 |
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| Welsh Government Welsh Cabinet Senedd |
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| Style | First Minister (informal) The Right Honourable (UK and Commonwealth) His Excellency (international) |
| Abbreviation | FM |
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| Reports to | Senedd |
| Seat | Crown Buildings, Cathays Park, Cardiff |
| Nominator | Senedd |
| Appointer | The Monarch |
| Term length | At His Majesty's pleasure, unless removed by Senedd or resignation |
| Formation | 12 May 1999 |
| First holder | Alun Michael AM |
| Salary | £148,575 per annum (2022) (including £67,920 MS salary) |
The First Minister of Wales (called Prif Weinidog Cymru in Welsh) is the main leader of the Welsh Government. This important job started in 1999. It was created when Wales gained more power to make its own decisions, a process called Welsh devolution.
The First Minister is the most senior political person in Wales. They lead the Welsh Cabinet, which is like a team of ministers. This team makes and carries out government plans for Wales. The First Minister also speaks for Wales both inside the UK and with other countries.
To become First Minister, a person must be a member of the Senedd. The Senedd (which is the Welsh Parliament) chooses a candidate. Then, the King or Queen officially appoints them. The First Minister then picks other ministers and is responsible to the Senedd for their actions.
The First Minister manages important areas for Wales. These include health, education, creating jobs, transport, and housing. They also support the Welsh language. All of this happens within the rules of the United Kingdom.
The First Minister has offices in Tŷ Hywel and the Crown Buildings in Cardiff. These are the main places where the Welsh Government works. Currently, Rhun ap Iorwerth is the First Minister. He has been in this role since 12 May 2026.
Contents
The Story of the First Minister
The job of First Minister started with the creation of the National Assembly for Wales in 1998. At first, the leader was called the "Assembly First Secretary." This was a big step for Wales to manage its own affairs.
People in Wales had wanted more control over their country for a long time. In 1997, a special vote, called a referendum, was held. People voted to create the Assembly, which meant Wales could make more of its own decisions.
The very first person to hold this top job was Alun Michael. He became the Assembly First Secretary on 12 May 1999. He later stepped down in February 2000.
How the Title Changed
After Alun Michael, Rhodri Morgan took over in February 2000. He decided he wanted to be called "First Minister" instead of "First Secretary." He also changed the title of "Assembly Secretaries" to "Ministers."
Later, in 2006, a new law officially made the title "First Minister." This law also made the First Minister the official "Keeper of the Welsh Seal." This seal is a special symbol of the Welsh Government.
How the First Minister is Chosen
To become First Minister, a person must first be a Member of the Senedd. Other Senedd Members suggest candidates for the job. Then, the Senedd Members vote. The person who gets the most votes becomes the First Minister.
If no one gets a clear majority in the first vote, they keep voting. This continues until one candidate wins with more than half of the votes.
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After the Senedd chooses someone, the leader of the Senedd tells the King or Queen. The King or Queen then officially appoints the chosen person as First Minister. For example, Vaughan Gething was appointed in March 2024, and Eluned Morgan in August 2024.
What the First Minister Does
The First Minister is in charge of the Welsh Government. They guide the government's main plans and goals. They make sure that the government runs smoothly.
The First Minister works with the Permanent Secretary to manage the Welsh civil service. This is a team of people who help the government do its work. The First Minister also chooses other Welsh Ministers and their deputies. These choices need to be approved by the King or Queen.
Areas of Responsibility
The First Minister and the Welsh Government make laws for Wales. They can make laws on many topics. These include health, education, and creating jobs. They also cover transport, housing, and the Welsh language.
Other areas they manage are farming, fishing, and protecting the environment. They also look after social services, culture, sports, and tourism. The Welsh Government can also borrow money for big projects, with permission from the UK government.
Being Accountable to the Senedd
The First Minister must answer to the Senedd for everything they do. This means the Senedd can ask questions and discuss the government's actions. Committees in the Senedd also check the government's work.
If the Senedd is not happy with the First Minister, they can hold a "vote of no confidence." If this vote passes, the First Minister must step down. This shows how important it is for the First Minister to have the Senedd's trust.
Working with Other Governments
The First Minister works with leaders from other parts of the UK and Ireland. They attend meetings like the British-Irish Council. These meetings help different governments talk and work together.
Sometimes, there are disagreements between the Welsh Government and the UK Government. The Welsh Government wants to make sure its voice is heard. They want to be treated as an equal partner when decisions are made.
The Secretary of State for Wales is a special link person. This person helps the UK Government and the Welsh Government communicate. Their job is to make sure things run smoothly between them.
How the First Minister Works
Where the First Minister Works
The First Minister has two main offices in Cardiff. One is in Tŷ Hywel, next to the Senedd building. This is where they work when dealing with the Welsh Parliament. The other office is at the Crown Buildings. This is the main headquarters for the Welsh Government.
The Welsh Government also has offices in other towns across Wales. These include Carmarthen, Caernarfon, and Aberystwyth. These offices help the First Minister connect with people all over the country.
Asking the First Minister Questions
The First Minister regularly answers questions from Members of the Senedd. This is called First Minister's Questions. It happens every week in the Senedd. Members can ask about anything the Welsh Government is responsible for.
These sessions are shown live on Senedd.tv. This means everyone can watch and see how the First Minister answers. It helps keep the government open and accountable to the public.
Support and Security
The First Minister has a team of civil servants who help them. These are people who work for the Welsh Government. They help with planning and carrying out government policies.
For safety reasons, details about the First Minister's security are kept private. This is normal for important government leaders. The First Minister also uses official transport for work. Rules are in place to make sure this transport is used properly and efficiently.
See also
In Spanish: Ministro principal de Gales para niños
- List of First Ministers of Wales
- List of current heads of government in the United Kingdom and dependencies
- Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
- Deputy First Minister of Wales
- Welsh Government
