First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth has announced his cabinet team, marking Wales’ inaugural Plaid Cymru-led government. Sioned Williams serves as deputy first minister, while Elin Jones takes on the finance portfolio.
Ap Iorwerth introduced the ministers on the steps of the government headquarters in Cardiff, describing the shift as a complete overhaul in approach. He pledged a government dedicated to serving all Welsh people.
Confirmed as first minister on Tuesday following Plaid Cymru’s victory as the largest party in the Senedd, ap Iorwerth ended Labour’s 27-year dominance. “We will begin the government in earnest as a united team, of energy, talent and experience, ready to serve,” he stated.
Key Cabinet Appointments
The lineup features targeted roles to address pressing needs:
- Deputy first minister and minister for social justice and equality: Sioned Williams
- Finance: Elin Jones
- Trefnydd, chief whip and minister for culture and sport: Heledd Fychan
- Government effectiveness and the constitution: Dafydd Trystan Davies
- Health and care: Mabon ap Gwynfor
- Enterprise, connectivity and energy: Adam Price
- Education and the Welsh language: Anna Brychan
- Rural resilience and sustainability: Llyr Gruffydd
- Local government, housing and planning: Sian Gwenllian
- Public and preventative health: Nerys Evans
- Social care, mental health and women’s health: Delyth Jewell
- Transport: Mark Hooper
- Skills and tertiary education: Cefin Campbell
- Counsel general designate: Elfyn Llwyd
In a post-announcement statement, ap Iorwerth emphasized a “relentless focus on doing what’s best for Wales.” He added, “Our pledge is simple – to repay people’s trust in us as quickly as we can, bringing the nation together. A new era of leadership starts today.”
Reactions from Opposition Leaders
Reform UK’s Welsh leader Dan Thomas expressed hope for the cabinet’s success. “Our NHS, our schools and our economy need urgent change, and while I may disagree with Plaid, we all need them to succeed,” Thomas said. He committed to scrutiny focused on public services over independence debates.
Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Darren Millar described the government’s challenge as monumental. “We need new ideas and new governance, not the same old politics of the past 27 years,” Millar stated, voicing a desire for success where predecessors fell short.
