politics
Plaid Cymru's Rhun ap Iorwerth to Stand for First Minister on Tuesday
Plaid Cymru secured the largest number of seats in the Senedd election with 43, ending Labour's long dominance in Wales. Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth plans to form a minority government and hopes to be confirmed as first minister as early as Tuesday. In Scotland, Anas Sarwar said he will remain as Scottish Labour leader despite the party's worst ever result.
May 9, 9:53 AM·3m read4 sources
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Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has said he hopes to be elected first minister of Wales as early as Tuesday. The party won 43 seats in last week's Senedd election and intends to form a minority government on its own after falling six seats short of a majority in the 96-member parliament.
Ap Iorwerth told BBC Radio Wales: “We’re ready to go as quickly as we can. We hope for it to be Tuesday.
The Senedd's presiding officer must give 24 hours' notice before a confirmation vote can take place. Ap Iorwerth said he will seek support from members across the Senedd and has spoken to all party leaders except Nigel Farage. He has put a clear programme for government on the table.
Plaid Cymru outlined plans at its February conference for its first 100 days in office, including an independent review of NHS performance to tackle waiting lists. The party has ruled out holding an independence referendum in its first term but plans to fund a commission to build the case for it.
Labour was reduced to nine seats. Its interim leader Ken Skates said his party's members would meet on Monday to discuss their approach to the first minister vote. Skates described any cooperation with Reform UK to block ap Iorwerth as “deeply unpleasant” and said Welsh Labour would maintain a mature relationship with Plaid while serving the people of Wales.
Money is tight and Labour criticised Plaid's spending pledges during the campaign as unaffordable. Ap Iorwerth plans to make the case to the UK government for more financial support.
In Scotland, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said he will “absolutely” stay on as leader despite the party recording its worst ever result at the Scottish Parliament election. Labour lost four seats and returned 17 of 129 available, tying with Reform UK.
