Eluned Morgan
Eluned Morgan stands at a historic crossroads in Welsh politics, having become the first woman and the first member of the House of Lords to serve as First Minister of Wales in 2024. Her journey spans decades in both European and Welsh legislatures, reflecting a deep commitment to public service and a distinctive vision for her nation. This story will delve into the remarkable career of a politician who has consistently shaped the political landscape, from Brussels to Cardiff. Eluned Morgan's political career features a rare progression from a Member of the European Parliament to the House of Lords, and ultimately to First Minister of Wales. As First Minister, she is championing a 'clear red water' strategy, aiming to differentiate Welsh Labour's policies from the UK Labour leadership. Her tenure as First Minister marks a significant barrier-breaking moment for women in Welsh politics, leading the nation during a period of complex challenges and strategic policy shifts.
AI Summary
Eluned Morgan stands at a historic crossroads in Welsh politics, having become the first woman and the first member of the House of Lords to serve as First Minister of Wales in 2024. Her journey spans decades in both European and Welsh legislatures, reflecting a deep commitment to public service and a distinctive vision for her nation. This story will delve into the remarkable career of a politician who has consistently shaped the political landscape, from Brussels to Cardiff.
- Eluned Morgan's political career features a rare progression from a Member of the European Parliament to the House of Lords, and ultimately to First Minister of Wales.
- As First Minister, she is championing a 'clear red water' strategy, aiming to differentiate Welsh Labour's policies from the UK Labour leadership.
- Her tenure as First Minister marks a significant barrier-breaking moment for women in Welsh politics, leading the nation during a period of complex challenges and strategic policy shifts.
A Historic First for Wales
In August 2024, Eluned Morgan made history by being sworn in as the First Minister of Wales. Her ascent to this pivotal role marks a significant milestone, as she became both the first woman and the first member of the House of Lords to hold the highest political office in Wales. The Senedd, Wales's parliament, was even recalled from its summer recess for this momentous occasion.
Roots and Education
Born Mair Eluned Morgan in February 1967, her roots lie in Ely, Cardiff. She attended Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, a Welsh-medium secondary school, fostering her fluency in the Welsh language early on. Her education continued with a scholarship to the prestigious United World College of the Atlantic, followed by a degree in European Studies from the University of Hull, laying the groundwork for her international political career.
Early Professional Ventures
Before stepping into elected office, Morgan honed her skills in media and energy. She worked as a researcher for prominent broadcasters like S4C and the BBC, gaining insights into communication and public affairs. Later, she served as the Director of National Development for SSE in Wales, playing a key role in establishing the SWALEC Smart Energy Centre.
The European Stage
Morgan's political journey began on the European stage. After a stint as an intern (a 'stagiaire') for the Socialist Group in the European Parliament in 1990, she was elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for Mid and West Wales in 1994. At just 27, she was the youngest MEP to take her seat at the time.
She served three terms as an MEP, representing Wales until 2009. During this period, her influence grew considerably. She was the budget control spokesperson for the 180-strong Socialist Group and the Labour Party's European spokesperson on Energy, Industry, and Science, drafting crucial responses and leading negotiations on energy directives.
A Seat in the House of Lords
In 2010, Morgan transitioned into the UK parliamentary system, being granted a life peerage as Baroness Morgan of Ely. Sitting on the Labour benches, she became a prominent voice, serving as Shadow Minister for Wales and later for Foreign Affairs, as well as a whip.
Notably, in 2018, she expressed a willingness to renounce her peerage if she ever became First Minister. Upon taking office in 2024, she chose instead to 'pause' her peerage, maintaining the option to revisit its status in the future. She has been on a leave of absence from the House of Lords since 2017.
Joining the Senedd
Morgan's focus shifted closer to home when she was elected as an Assembly Member to the Senedd for the Mid and West Wales regional list in the 2016 Welsh election. Her experience quickly led to ministerial appointments within the Welsh Government.
She served in various ministerial roles, including Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning, Minister for International Relations and the Welsh Language, and Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing and the Welsh Language. These roles showcased her commitment to both cultural preservation and public welfare.
Following her re-election in 2021, Morgan was appointed Minister for Health and Social Services. This was a challenging portfolio, and in March 2023, she faced a motion of no confidence from the Welsh Conservatives regarding her handling of the Betsi Cadwaladr health board crisis, which was ultimately defeated.
Ascending to Leadership
Morgan's path to the top of Welsh Labour began to crystallize in 2024. After endorsing Vaughan Gething in the previous leadership election, she herself announced her candidacy for the July 2024 Welsh Labour leadership election on a 'unity ticket' with Huw Irranca-Davies as her proposed deputy.
With no other candidate meeting the nomination threshold, Eluned Morgan was confirmed as the leader of Welsh Labour on July 24, 2024, paving the way for her historic appointment as First Minister of Wales just weeks later.
First Minister: Shaping Wales's Future
Upon taking office, one of the immediate challenges Morgan faced was the prospect of potential civil unrest, as the 2024 United Kingdom riots threatened to spread to Wales. She emphasized Wales as a welcoming society, determined to prevent destructive elements from taking hold.
Soon after, she met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Cardiff, initiating a 'reset' of the relationship between the UK and Welsh governments. Discussions focused on crucial issues like NHS funding, energy independence, and the future of jobs at Tata Steel in Wales, as well as the 'Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru' initiative for clean energy.
A key tenet of Morgan's leadership is the revival of Welsh Labour's 'clear red water' strategy. This approach aims to distinguish Welsh Labour's policies, shifting them further to the political left and creating a deliberate distance from the more centrist UK Labour leadership under Keir Starmer.
Beyond Politics: Personal Life
Morgan is a committed Christian and married to Rhys Jenkins, a GP who also serves as a non-stipendiary priest. Her family has deep roots in St David's, Pembrokeshire, further connecting her to the Welsh landscape and culture.
Throughout her career, she has also held numerous voluntary and honorary positions, including serving on the board of the International Baccalaureate Organisation and chairing Live Music Now in Wales, a charity dedicated to bringing music to care homes and special schools.
Looking Ahead
As First Minister, Morgan was sworn into the Privy Council in October 2024. Her focus is now firmly on leading Wales, and she is set to be a candidate in the Ceredigion Penfro constituency for the 2026 Senedd election, signaling her continued commitment to Welsh representation.
Even seasoned politicians have their human moments. In March 2022, Morgan faced a six-month driving ban due to accumulated speeding fines, reaching the 12-point limit after an infraction on a 30mph road in Wrexham. It's a reminder that public figures, too, navigate the everyday challenges of life.
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Eluned Morgan
Mair Eluned Morgan, Baroness Morgan of Ely, (born 16 February 1967) is a Welsh politician who has served as First Minister of Wales and Leader of Welsh Labour since 2024. Morgan is the first woman and the first member of the House of Lords to serve as First Minister. Before becoming First Minister, she served as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care from 2021 to 2024.
Morgan has been a member of the House of Lords since 2011, a member of the Senedd (MS) since 2016 and was a member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 1994 to 2009. She is currently on leave of absence from the House of Lords.
A Welsh speaker, Morgan served as Minister for the Welsh Language from 2017 to 2021 as well as Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing from 2020 to 2021.
As leader of Welsh Labour and First Minister, Morgan has revived Welsh Labour's clear red water strategy used by some of her predecessors, shifting Welsh Labour back to the political left and distancing it from the centrist UK Labour leadership of Keir Starmer, criticising some of the policies implemented by Starmer's government.
Personal life and education
Eluned Morgan
Morgan was born and brought up in Ely, Cardiff, the daughter of Bob Morgan and Elaine Morgan. She was educated at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, as well as, through a scholarship, the independent United World College of the Atlantic, and later gained a degree in European Studies from the University of Hull.
Morgan is married to Rhys Jenkins, who is a GP and also a non-stipendiary priest. Morgan's family hails from St David's in Pembrokeshire.
In March 2022, Morgan was banned from driving for six months following repeated speeding fines. The offence which took her over the 12-point limit was on a 30mph road in Wrexham.
She has been described as a "committed Christian".
Professional career and voluntary positions
Eluned Morgan
Morgan formerly worked as a researcher for S4C, Agenda TV and the BBC.
After leaving the European Parliament she worked as the Director of National Development for SSE in Wales (SWALEC) from 2009 to June 2013 where she was responsible for establishing the new SWALEC Smart Energy Centre in Treforest. She was appointed Chair of the Cardiff Business Partnership.
Morgan is a Fellow of Trinity College Carmarthen and is an Honorary-Distinguished Professor and Fellow of Cardiff University. She served on the board of the International Baccalaureate Organisation for three years. She was the Chair of the Cardiff Business Partnership. She was a member of the External Advisory Board to the Wales Governance Centre. She served on the Council of Atlantic College. She was Chair of Live Music Now in Wales, a charity which sends talented young musicians to care homes and special schools and demonstrates the transformational impact of music, from 2012 to 2016.
Political career
Welsh Labour and Yes for Wales
Morgan served on the Welsh Labour Party Executive for ten years and was appointed to the Welsh Assembly Advisory Group, which was responsible for developing the standing orders of the Senedd. She was a founding member of the Yes for Wales Cross-party group, which campaigned for the Assembly to be established.
European Parliament
Morgan as an MEP at a meeting of the European Parliament in Strasbourg in 1995
In 1990, Morgan worked as a stagiaire in the European Parliament for the Socialist Group.
In 1994, Morgan was elected as a Member of the European Parliament representing Mid and West Wales. At the time she was the youngest MEP when she took up her seat. She continued as an MEP representing the Wales constituency, being elected at both the 1999 and 2004 elections, before standing down at the 2009 elections.
Morgan served as the budget control spokesperson for the 180 strong Socialist Group. She was also the Labour Party's European spokesperson on Energy, Industry and Science. She was responsible for drafting the European Parliament's response to the Energy Green Paper and also took the lead role in negotiating on behalf of the Parliament the revision of the Electricity Directive.
House of Lords
On 19 November 2010 it was announced that Morgan had been granted a life peerage and would sit on the Labour benches of the House of Lords, and was gazetted on 27 January 2011 as Baroness Morgan of Ely, in the City of Cardiff. From 2013–2016, Morgan served as the Shadow Minister for Wales in the House of Lords, and from 2014 to 2016 she served as Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and also as a whip. She was responsible for leading for Labour in the House of Lords on the EU Referendum Bill and led for Labour on two Wales Bills.
Morgan is currently on a leave of absence from the House of Lords, and has been since 2017. In 2018, Morgan stated that if she were to become First Minister, she would renounce her peerage. In 2024, when Morgan became First Minister, she instead stated she wanted to 'pause' her peerage, and 'have that opportunity if necessary to think about what happens in the future.'
Senedd and Welsh Government
A video of Morgan taking the daily COVID-19 press conference in November 2020
In 2015 Morgan was selected as a candidate for the 2016 Welsh election on the Mid and West Wales regional list. On 5 May 2016 she was elected from the regional list as an Assembly Member in the Senedd.
In November 2017 she was appointed Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning. She contested the 2018 Welsh Labour leadership election, but was not successful, coming third. She was then appointed by First Minister Mark Drakeford as Minister for International Relations and the Welsh Language in December 2018 before being moved to Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing and the Welsh Language in October 2020.
Morgan was re-elected at the 2021 Senedd election, and a week later was appointed Minister for Health and Social Services. In March 2023, the Welsh Conservatives submitted a motion of no confidence in her, following mounting criticism of Morgan's handling of the Betsi Cadwaladr crisis. The motion was defeated, with 26 votes in favor and 29 against.
Morgan endorsed Vaughan Gething in the February–March 2024 Welsh Labour leadership election. She retained her role as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care in the Gething government.
Leader of Welsh Labour
In July 2024, Morgan announced that she would be standing in the July 2024 Welsh Labour leadership election on a unity ticket with Huw Irranca-Davies, who would serve as her deputy First Minister if she was elected leader. On 24 July 2024, she was confirmed to be the only candidate that met the 5 nomination threshold, and was therefore elected as leader of Welsh Labour.
First Minister of Wales (2024–present)
Morgan being sworn in as First Minister on 6 August 2024
Morgan meeting Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Cardiff
On 6 August 2024, Morgan was officially sworn in as the First Minister of Wales, following her nomination by the Senedd, which was recalled from its summer recess for this purpose. As the leader of the largest party in the Senedd, Morgan secured the position with 28 votes, marking the beginning of her tenure as Wales' first female First Minister.
Upon entering government as the First Minister, one of the first issues to face Morgan was the prospect of the 2024 United Kingdom riots beginning in Wales. In a statement, Morgan said that she was "not complacent", further adding that Wales was a "society and a nation that should be welcoming people... we cannot let those people who are determined to be destructive within our communities to get a hold".
Shortly after taking office, Morgan met with Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Cardiff during his visit to Wales. The meeting focused on "resetting the relationship" between the UK and Welsh governments. Key topics included NHS funding, energy independence, and the future of Tata Steel jobs in Wales. They also discussed the development of renewable energy through the Welsh Government's initiative, Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru, aimed at producing clean energy and creating skilled jobs in Wales.
On 2 October 2024, she was sworn into the Privy Council.
2026 election
In the 2026 Senedd election, she will be a candidate in the Ceredigion Penfro constituency. She will be the lead candidate on the party list. Eluned Morgan was alleged to have intervened in the controversial Labour selection in Cardiff, after would-be candidate Owain Williams was initially ruled out on an administrative issue.