A politician who represents Powys will form part of the top team in the Welsh Government, it was revealed today.

Eluned Morgan, who was returned as a Mid and West Wales MS in last week's Senedd elections, has been appointed Health Minister in the post-vote reshuffle by First Minister Mark Drakeford.

She replaces Vaughan Gething, who has moved on to become Economy Minister having become one of the most recognisable figures in the Welsh Government during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ken Skates, himself a recognisable figure, makes way and returns to the back benches.

Ms Morgan's role will see her given the specific brief of focusing on NHS recovery and the pandemic response.

While in the last Government there was room for one Liberal Democrat MS – Brecon and Radnorshire's Kirsty Williams – this time Labour will be hoping to be effective with 30 seats, half of the total in the Senedd.

Jeremy Miles will replace Ms Williams as Education Minister.

Jane Dodds, another Mid and West Wales MS, will not form part of the Government, and the other Labour regional MS, Joyce Watson, remains on the back benches.

The new climate change ministry will bring together the environment, energy housing, planning and transport portfolios, led by Julie James. Lee Waters becomes Deputy Minister for Climate Change.

Two-thirds of the new cabinet are women.

Mr Drakeford said: “The environment will be at the heart of our decision-making. The climate change emergency has not gone away while we have been dealing with the pandemic.

“Wales is a beautiful country with immense natural assets, which will help power our recovery and create the jobs of the future.

“In my new government, the environment doesn’t just have a seat at the Cabinet table, it will be a consideration in all we do.”

Dawn Bowden joins the government as Deputy Minister for the Arts and Sport in the economy portfolio. She also becomes the Chief Whip.

Lesley Griffiths becomes Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales and Trefnydd.

Mr Drakeford added: The new cabinet is ready to get to work to set Wales on the path to recovery out of this long pandemic, which has cast such a shadow over all our lives.

“There will be challenges ahead of us – the pandemic is a public health and economic emergency with long-lasting impacts on all our lives – but this is a talented and committed team, determined to make a positive difference to Wales and for Wales.

“We will use all our efforts and energies to create a stronger, fairer and greener Wales, where no one is held back or left behind.”

The new Welsh Labour Government

  • Mark Drakeford - First Minister
  • Mick Antoniw - Counsel General designate and Minister for the Constitution
  • Rebecca Evans - Minister for Finance and Local Government
  • Vaughan Gething - Economy Minister
  • Dawn Bowden - Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, and Chief Whip
  • Lesley Griffiths - Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd
  • Jane Hutt - Minister for Social Justice
  • Hannah Blythyn - Deputy Minister for Social Partnership
  • Julie James - Minister for Climate Change
  • Lee Waters - Deputy Minister for Climate Change
  • Jeremy Miles - Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
  • Eluned Morgan - Minister for Health and Social Services
  • Julie Morgan - Deputy Minister for Social Services
  • Lynne Neagle - Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing