First Minister appoints his Ministerial team

First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth has appointed his Cabinet, including two roles for local MS's

Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg MS Mark Hooper will take on the role of Deputy Minister for Transport, whilst Caerdydd Penarth MS Anna Brychan takes on the role of Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language.

Speaking following the announcement, Rhun ap Iorwerth said the Cabinet will have a "relentless focus on doing what's best for Wales."

The First Minister said “This Cabinet will bring new energy, new ideas and a new direction to the way our nation is led. United and filled with talent and experience ready to serve, my government will believe in the art of the possible, working as one team every day to improve the lives of the people of Wales.

“Our principles will be our guide as we seek practical solutions to the issues faced by communities the length and breadth of our country – and we will pursue our missions with the energy and urgency they demand.“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.”

The Welsh Government Cabinet in full:

• First Minister – Rhun ap Iorwerth
• Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality – Sioned Williams
• Cabinet Minister for Finance – Elin Jones
• Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport – Heledd Fychan
• Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness & the Constitution – Dafydd Trystan Davies
• Cabinet Minister for Health and Care – Mabon ap Gwynfor
• Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy – Adam Price
• Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language – Anna Brychan
• Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability – Llyr Gruffydd
• Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning – Siân Gwenllian
• Deputy Minister for Public and Preventive Health – Nerys Evans
• Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health – Delyth Jewell
• Deputy Minister for Transport – Mark Hooper
• Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education – Cefin Campbell
• Counsel General Designate – Elfyn Llwyd

Commenting on First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth announcing his cabinet, a Welsh Labour spokesperson said: "We look forward to being an effective opposition, scrutinising and holding the new Welsh Government to account. We're living in a world with much uncertainty and all governments face challenges. No one knows better than our party that it is a privilege to govern and that immense responsibility now rests on different shoulders."

Dan Thomas MS, Leader of Reform Wales, said “The people of Wales need this Cabinet to deliver. Our NHS, our schools and our economy need urgent change, and while I may disagree with Plaid, we all need them to succeed. 

“We will scrutinise their actions and work to ensure that their attention is on our public services and not Welsh independence.”

Commenting, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Darren Millar MS, said “People in Wales did not vote for a change in personnel, they voted for a change in direction. We need new ideas and new governance, not the same old politics of the past 27 years.”

“This new Plaid Cymru Government has a monumental task ahead of it, and for the sake of the people of Wales, I want it to succeed where Labour fell short. My magnificent seven Welsh Conservative team will do everything in our power to hold them to account and ensure they deliver for Wales.”