First Minister of Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids First Minister of Wales |
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.jpg) Eluned Morgan, Baroness Morgan of Ely since 6 August 2024 |
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| Welsh Government Welsh Cabinet Senedd |
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| Style | First Minister (informal) The Right Honourable (UK and Commonwealth) Her Excellency (international) |
| Abbreviation | FM |
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| Reports to | Senedd |
| Seat | Crown Buildings, Cathays Park, Cardiff |
| Nominator | Senedd |
| Appointer | The Monarch |
| Term length | Five years |
| 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 (Welsh: Prif Weinidog Cymru) is the main leader of the Welsh Government. Think of them as the head teacher of the Welsh Government team! They are in charge of making sure Wales is run well.
The First Minister leads the Welsh Cabinet, which is like a team of top ministers. Their main job is to create and share the Welsh Government's plans and ideas. They also promote Wales to other countries and handle important matters about how Wales is governed.
To become First Minister, a person must be a Member of the Senedd. The Senedd (which is the Welsh Parliament) chooses who they want as First Minister. After the Senedd picks someone, the King or Queen officially appoints them. The First Minister also chooses other ministers and law officers for the Welsh Government.
The First Minister is responsible to the Senedd for everything the Welsh Government does. Their main office is in Tŷ Hywel in Cardiff Bay. There is also another office at the Crown Buildings in Cardiff.
Currently, the First Minister of Wales is Eluned Morgan, Baroness Morgan of Ely. She started this role in August 2024. The Senedd nominated her on August 6, 2024, and King Charles III appointed her on the same day.
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What is the First Minister called?
When the job was first created in 1999, it was called the Assembly First Secretary. This was because Wales had a less powerful government than Northern Ireland or Scotland. Also, the Welsh words for "First Minister" could sound like "Prime Minister," so a different name was chosen to avoid confusion with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
In 2000, the name changed to "First Minister." This became official with the Government of Wales Act 2006. This law also made the First Minister the Keeper of the Welsh Seal. This seal is used to make official Welsh Government documents valid.
How is the First Minister chosen?
Members of the Senedd choose who they want to be the First Minister. They vote, and the person with the most votes wins. If no one gets a majority on the first try, they keep voting until someone does.
Once the Senedd has chosen someone, the presiding officer (who leads the Senedd meetings) writes to the King or Queen. The King or Queen then officially appoints that person as First Minister.
In December 2023, Mark Drakeford said he would step down. Vaughan Gething took over on March 20, 2024. Then, on July 16, 2024, Gething announced he would resign. Eluned Morgan was chosen as the new Welsh Labour leader on July 24, 2024. She became First Minister on August 6, 2024, after the Senedd nominated her and King Charles III approved.
Who has been nominated for First Minister?
Here's a look at some of the times the Senedd has voted for a First Minister:
| Party key | Welsh Labour | |
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| Plaid Cymru | ||
| Welsh Conservatives |
| Parliamentary term | Date | Candidates | Votes received |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5th Assembly | 11 May 2016 | Carwyn Jones | 29 |
| Leanne Wood | 29 | ||
| 12 December 2018 | Mark Drakeford | 30 | |
| Paul Davies | 12 | ||
| Adam Price | 9 | ||
| 6th Senedd | 20 March 2024 | Vaughan Gething | 27 |
| Andrew RT Davies | 13 | ||
| Rhun ap Iorwerth | 11 | ||
| 6 August 2024 | Eluned Morgan | 28 | |
| Andrew RT Davies | 15 | ||
| Rhun ap Iorwerth | 12 | ||
| Abstentions | 1 |
What does the First Minister do?
The First Minister has many important jobs. They appoint other Welsh Ministers and the Counsel General for Wales. Together, these people form the Welsh Government. The King or Queen must approve these appointments.
Before 2007, the Welsh Government's powers came from the UK government. But since the Government of Wales Act 2006, the First Minister is appointed by the King or Queen. This means the First Minister now represents the Crown in Wales. This was a big change, showing that the head of government in Wales is chosen by the Welsh people's elected representatives.
The First Minister is responsible for:
- Making sure the Welsh Government's cabinet does its job.
- Creating and organizing new policies and plans for Wales.
- Managing relationships with the rest of the United Kingdom, Europe, and other countries.
- Looking after the staff who work for the Welsh Government.
See also
- 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
