The former government minister is taking over as interim leader
Welsh Labour has appointed an interim leader, less than 24 hours after Eluned Morgan quit when she lost her seat in the Senedd Election 2026.
Ken Skates, the Senedd member for Fflint Wrecsam has taken on the role. The party slumped to an historic defeat in the election, ending up with just nine of the 96 seats. A number of candidates lost their seats, the most high profile of which was Eluned Morgan, the first ever sitting First Minister to fail in a re-election bid.
Welsh Labour has confirmed that following meetings of the Welsh Labour’s Executive Committee and the Welsh Labour group, Mr Skates will be interim leader.
First elected in 2011, he has held several Welsh Government roles including the transport brief and the economy portfolio.
He received unanimous support from the new Welsh Labour group, the statement said.
Mr Skates said: “Today is just the beginning of a process that will help us to understand what we got wrong. Because we did get it wrong.
“There is no reading of this result that endorses every action we have taken as a party, and our task now is to take the time needed and to work out what has happened. It is a task that will require every single one of us to take part in – every member, every councillor, every MS, MP, Lord and all roles in between but it is not a task that is beyond us.
“I believe today, as I always have, that Welsh Labour is at its best when we are the champions of the people of Wales, our role is to serve, to fight for the issues that matter most.
“We are the party that first sent Keir Hardie to Parliament, that created the NHS. We are the Party of devolution, the Party of free prescriptions, universal free school meals, social partnership and the future generations act.
“We are a party with an incredible history of serving Wales and her people, and we have so much more to give.”
Paying tribute to Eluned Morgan, he said: “I would like to thank Eluned for everything she has done over the past two years as our First Minister, and in her 30 years of service to Wales and the Labour Party.
2Her grit and determination in the face of true challenge is something we as a Party will always be proud of. She broke the glass ceiling, and her role in history as the first woman to lead our Party and country is an achievement second to none.”
He will serve as leader until a timetable is set for a full leadership election in line with Welsh Labour rules.

































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