Eluned Morgan has made history by becoming Welsh Labour’s first female leader, stepping into the role amid political turmoil and controversy—here’s the full story.
From Scandal to Crisis
In sharp contrast to the UK Labour Party, which, following its landslide victory in the recent general election, is riding high on a period of new-found confidence and optimism in a country that was rapidly growing tired of Conservative rule, the Welsh Labour Party in the Welsh Parliament, the Senedd, is stumbling from crisis to scandal and back to crisis.
New Leader Hoped
Following the resignation of Vaughan Gething, many in Welsh Labour are hoping that the new leader of the party, Eluned Morgan, whose confirmation will make her the first female First Minister of Wales, will help reset the party’s recent run of bad fortune. However, some have criticised the coronation of Morgan, who ran unopposed in the leadership race.
Not Her Predecessor
However, Morgan’s reputation will be greatly helped simply because she is not her predecessor. Gething’s tenure as First Minister was marred by numerous controversies, which led to his eventual resignation. Gething, who made history as the first black leader of any European country, faced intense scrutiny over a £200,000 donation to his leadership campaign.
Questionable Donation
The sizable donation was made by a company owned by an individual previously convicted of several environmental offences. It has also been claimed that Gething attempted to lobby the Welsh government on behalf of the donor. Despite Gething’s repeated attempts to defend the donation as being within the rules, the controversy never really left him, casting a long shadow over his entire tenure as First Minister.
Minister Sacking Fallout
Following hot on the heels of the donation scandal, Gething further angered his party’s Members of the Senedd (MSs) when he sacked Minister Hannah Blythyn for allegedly leaking text messages, an allegation which she strenuously denied. The culmination of these issues led to a carefully orchestrated series of resignations of members of his government, which made his position untenable.
Immediate Hurdles
As Morgan prepares to take over from the disgraced Gething, she faces several immediate hurdles. The first will be attempting to unify the deeply divided Welsh Labour Party, which has been beset by internal conflicts since Gething’s election.
Stability and Cohesion
Though Morgan has pledged to bring stability and cohesion to her fractious party, she is facing other serious problems. The Welsh Health Service is in a dire state, and the Welsh electorate is rapidly growing tired of the constant scandals within the party and its management of the country more generally.
Senedd Vote Required
A formal vote by the Senedd is required before Morgan can officially take office as First Minister. This process involves a roll call of all 60 Members of the Senedd, where each member publicly declares their support for the new leader.
Opposition Plans
While the opposition parties, including the Welsh Conservatives and Plaid Cymru, plan to nominate their leaders, Welsh Labour’s numerical advantage is expected to secure Morgan’s confirmation. However, the logistics of recalling the Senedd from its summer recess and ensuring all MSs are present for the vote mean that no one is entirely sure when this changeover might happen.
Varied Responses
The political landscape in Wales has reacted to Morgan’s impending leadership with varied responses. The Welsh Liberal Democrats, represented by Jane Dodds, plan to abstain from the vote. Meanwhile, the Welsh Conservatives and Plaid Cymru have expressed their intention to nominate their respective leaders, albeit acknowledging the likely outcome.
A New Chapter
Many in Welsh Labour will be hoping that Morgan’s leadership will represent a new chapter for the party and that, under her leadership, it can be restored to the position of authority it once enjoyed. As the first female leader of Welsh Labour and the likely first female First Minister, Morgan’s tenure is poised to be historic, regardless of the outcome.
Crucial Months Ahead
The coming months will be crucial in determining how effectively she can navigate the challenges ahead and implement her vision for Wales.
Meaningful Change
Eluned Morgan’s unopposed ascension to the leadership of Welsh Labour and her expected confirmation as First Minister signifies a meaningful change in Welsh politics, the recent history of which has been devastating for her party.
Weeks Will Be Crucial
As Wales prepares for a second First Minister in just under six months, her first few weeks on the job will be crucial in determining how effectively she can navigate the challenges ahead and implement her vision for Wales.
Future Uncertain
With the party unlikely to enjoy the same levels of goodwill and support offered to the UK Labour Party, it remains to be seen whether Morgan will be up to the task and what her tenure might mean for the country’s future.
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Jane Rix.