Rhun ap Iorwerth reveals new Welsh government ministers

Rhun ap Iorwerth reveals new Welsh government ministers

First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth has revealed his ministerial team in Wales' first ever Plaid Cymru government.

Sioned Williams will be his deputy first minister, and finance cabinet minister will be former presiding officer Elin Jones.

Introducing his ministers on the steps of the government's headquarters in Cardiff, ap Iorwerth said it was not just a change to the administration but a "wholesale" change of approach, promising a government "for all of the people of Wales".

Ap Iorwerth was confirmed as first minister on Tuesday, after Plaid became the largest party in the Senedd in an historic election that saw Labour's 27-year long rule in Wales come to an end.

Wales' new health minister is Mabon ap Gwynfor, education and Welsh language minister and new MS is Anna Brychan, while Heledd Fychan becomes cabinet minister for culture and sport, as well as trefnydd - which involves organising government business in the Senedd.

Former Plaid leader Adam Price becomes cabinet minister for enterprise, connectivity and energy.

Ap Iorwerth said: "We will begin the government in earnest as a united team, of energy, talent and experience, ready to serve."

Cabinet member for rural resilience, responsible for farming, is Llŷr Gruffydd, while Sian Gwenllian becomes responsible for local government.

Former Westminster MP for Plaid Elfyn Llwyd becomes counsel general, the government's chief legal adviser, in a post that will need to be signed off by the Senedd.

The full list of ap Iorwerth's cabinet ministers includes:

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 – Llŷr Gruffydd

Local government, housing and planning – Siân 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

Responding to the announcement, Reform UK's Welsh leader Dan Thomas said the people of Wales "need this cabinet to succeed".

"Our NHS, our schools and our economy need urgent change, and while I may disagree with Plaid, we all need them to succeed," he said.

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