Deputy First Minister of Wales explained

Insignia:Royal Badge of Wales.svg
Insigniacaption:Royal Badge of Wales
Flag:Flag of Wales.svg
Flagsize:120px
Flagborder:yes
Flagcaption:Flag of Wales
Post:Deputy First Minister of Wales
Incumbent:Huw Irranca-Davies
Incumbentsince:6 August 2024
Inaugural:Mike German
Formation:16 October 2000

The deputy first minister of Wales (Welsh: dirprwy brif weinidog Cymru) is the deputy leader of the Welsh Government. The post was created in October 2000 when Mike German of the Welsh Liberal Democrats was appointed Deputy First Minister as part of a coalition government with Welsh Labour. Since the office was created, the holder has traditionally been the party leader of the junior partner in coalition with Welsh Labour, though this changed in 2024 with the appointment of Labour's Huw Irranca-Davies in the Labour government of Eluned Morgan.[1]

The last holder was Ieuan Wyn Jones of Plaid Cymru who was also the minister for the Economy and Transport. Ieuan Wyn Jones served in the office as part of the One Wales agreement between Plaid Cymru and Welsh Labour between 2007 and 2011.

During the July 2024 Welsh Labour leadership election, Eluned Morgan stated that she was running on a joint ticket, with the role of Deputy First Minister to be resurrected under her government, and the position to be granted to Huw Irranca-Davies.[2] This would mark the first time that a Deputy First Member was not the member of a junior partner in a coalition, and the first time that it would be held by a member of Welsh Labour.

Morgan confirmed Irranca-Davies as deputy in her government on 6 August 2024.[3]

List of Deputy First Ministers

NameTime in officePolitical partyFirst MinisterGovernmentOther office held
Michael German16 October 2000 – 8 May 2003
Acting: Jenny Randerson
(6 July 2001  - 13 June 2002)
Liberal DemocratsRhodri MorganLabour – Liberal Democrat CoalitionMinister for Economic Development 2000–2001
Minister for Rural Affairs and Wales Abroad 2002–2003
Office not in use 8 May 2003 – 11 July 2007
Ieuan Wyn Jones11 July 2007  - 13 May 2011Plaid CymruRhodri Morgan
Carwyn Jones
Labour – Plaid Cymru CoalitionMinister for the Economy and Transport
Office not in use 13 May 2011 – 6 August 2024
Huw Irranca-Davies 6 August 2024  - presentWelsh LabourEluned MorganEluned Morgan governmentCabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Deans . David . 22 July 2024 . Eluned Morgan confirms bid to be first minister . 22 July 2024 . BBC News.
  2. Web site: 2024-07-22 . Eluned Morgan confirms bid to be next Welsh first minister . 2024-07-23 . BBC News . en-GB.
  3. Web site: Eluned Morgan: Wales' new first minister confirmed. BBC News.