SCOTLAND’S First Minister has congratulated his new counterpart in Wales after a “historic moment” saw the country’s first female leader take office.
Labour’s Eluned Morgan was sworn in as the new First Minister of Wales on Tuesday, becoming the third leader of the country this year.
She has taken over from Vaughan Gething, who lasted less than 140 days as first minister having presided over a turbulent period in office, beset by rows over donations and sacked ministers.
Morgan, who has a life peerage in the House of Lords and is known as “Baroness Morgan of Ely”, was confirmed as leader of the Welsh Labour Party on July 24, but could not take over as First Minister without a vote in the Senedd.
The Welsh Parliament, which would normally be on summer break, was recalled on Tuesday to allow Morgan, who had been health secretary, to take over as leader of the Welsh Government.
SNP leader John Swinney congratulated Morgan on her appointment, saying that her confirmation as “the first female First Minister of the Welsh Government is a historic moment for Wales”.
The Scottish First Minister went on: “I have no doubt she will lead her government with passion and determination, steadfastly standing up for the people of Wales.
“I look forward to working together with her on common challenges and building on the strong relationship between Scotland and Wales.
“Llongyfarchiadau [congratulations] Eluned!”
Before she is officially confirmed as First Minister, Morgan must write to the King to seek his approval.
She had the support of the Labour members of the Senedd, while Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives voted for their respective party leaders.
Jane Dodds, the sole Liberal Democrat, abstained from endorsing a candidate, despite having supported Gething earlier in the year.
In total, Morgan received 28 votes, one more than her predecessor Gething.
The Conservatives’ Andrew RT Davies won 15 votes and Plaid Cymru’s Rhun ap Iorwerth 12 votes.
If Dodds had voted for an alternative candidate, there would have been 28 members voting for a different first minister.
Giving a speech in both English and Welsh, Morgan said: “It is the honour of my life to stand before you today as the first woman to become the First Minister of Wales.”
She paid tribute to her predecessor Gething as “another true trailblazer” in the journey of devolution, as well as her predecessors Alun Michael, Rhodri Morgan, Carwyn Jones, and Mark Drakeford.
The new First Minister said she hoped to “add my own distinctive contribution to this legacy”, adding: “Perhaps with a vibrant splash of colour. The grey suits are out.”
Morgan also acknowledged the difficulties Welsh Labour has faced in recent months.
She told the Senedd: “The last few weeks have been difficult and we have been through some turmoil.
“But we know that we are at our best when we work in unity as a party and as a nation.”
The new First Minister said her government’s “focus will be firmly on Wales and its people, listening to what people want and delivering in every corner of this great nation”.
She also confirmed Huw Irranca-Davies would be her deputy first minister, describing him as “impressive”, adding: “I couldn’t ask for a more capable political partner.”
Plaid Cymru leader ap Iorwerth said his party would “wish her well today”.
But referencing the demises of Liz Truss and Humza Yousaf, he added: “We also remind her and her government that in similar circumstances elsewhere the Labour hierarchy argued that multiple changes in leadership in Westminster and in Scotland undermines the democratic legitimacy of government and demanded fresh elections.
“It is for Labour to explain why different rules should apply in Wales.”
