Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth named first minister of Wales after Labour humbled

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth is set to become the new first minister of Wales.

This is the first time there has ever been a non-Labour leader of the Senedd since it was established in 1999 as the National Assembly for Wales.

It follows Labour losing its majority in Wales in Thursday's elections, with the nationalists scooping 43 seats - making them the largest party, but leaving them short of a majority.

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Reform UK won 34 seats, while Labour fell to third place with only nine of a potential 96.

Mr ap Iorwerth succeeds Baroness Eluned Morgan, who lost her seat in the Senedd last week and subsequently resigned as Welsh Labour leader. Mr ap Iorwerth paid tribute to the "resilience and determination" of his predecessor after being elected as first minister.

Addressing the chamber in Welsh and English, he added: "Something has stirred in the soul of Wales.

"From this historic moment onwards, every person in every part of our nation can know that the government of Wales is their government, and they will know that their government does not and will not impose on itself, or on our citizens, any limits on what our nation can achieve.

"And my promise to everyone is that I will lead without prejudice or presumption. I'll never take this privilege for granted, nor will my principles be burdened by power."

In the newly expanded 96-seat Senedd, the process differs from Westminster. Each member of the Senedd (MS) was asked to name their choice for first minister.

Mr ap Iorwerth was backed by the entire Plaid Cymru group and two Green members, while Labour abstained and Reform nominated their leader Dan Thomas.

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The new first minister, one of three Plaid Cymru MSs for Bangor Conwy Môn, paid tribute to returning cross-party members and new parties, including the Greens and Reform.

The Reform group have replaced the Conservatives as the official opposition.

Mr ap Iorwerth said: "Let me congratulate Dan Thomas and the Reform UK group on securing what will no doubt prove to be a formidable presence in this chamber, and one that promises to keep the government on its toes."

He has said he will seek to form a minority government after his party secured the largest bloc in the election.

Before the Plaid Cymru leader is officially confirmed as first minister, the Senedd's presiding officer will write to the King recommending that he be officially appointed.

Labour's Welsh Secretary, Jo Stevens, said she looked forward to "working constructively with the new Welsh Government to deliver in the interests of the people of Wales".

Michelle O'Neil, the Sinn Fein First Minister of Northern Ireland, said it was a day of "historic change".

"For the first time ever, there will be three nationalist, pro-independence first ministers in office, here in the North of Ireland, in Wales and in Scotland," she said.

"I recently spoke with both Rhun and John Swinney, and we agreed to work together to stand up for the best interests of our people and for the right to self-determination."

Meanwhile, John Swinney of the SNP, said: "Huge congratulations to Rhun ap Iorwerth on his election as First Minister of Wales. I am looking forward to working closely with him to advance our shared priorities."

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Before the first minister was nominated, the Senedd also voted for its new Llywydd, the parliament's presiding officer, a role similar to that of the Speaker in Westminster.

Huw Irranca-Davies, the Labour MS for Afan Rhondda Ogwr, was nominated to the role. Mr Irranca-Davies said: "I spent nearly 15 years in Westminster, what I light-heartedly call my apprenticeship for the Senedd."

He added that he believed in the Senedd's ability to change people's lives. The Labour MS left Westminster in 2015 to stand for office in the Welsh parliament.

The new Llywydd hugged his predecessor, Elin Jones, as the two marked the handover. Plaid MS for Ceredigion Penfro, Kerry Ferguson, was elected Mr Irranca-Davies' deputy.

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