Deputy First Minister of Wales

The deputy first minister of Wales () 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. The current deputy first minister is Sioned Williams of Plaid Cymru, who has served as part of the Ap Iorwerth government since 2026.

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. 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. 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.

List of Deputy First Ministers

NamePolitical partyTerm of officeOther office heldFirst MinisterGovernment Start End Duration Mike GermanLiberal Democrats 2000 2001 Minister for Economic DevelopmentRhodri MorganRh. Morgan I Jenny Randerson ActingLiberal Democrats 2001 2002 Minister for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language Mike GermanLiberal Democrats 2002 2003 Minister for Rural Affairs and Wales Abroad Office not in use 8 May 2003 – 11 July 2007Ieuan Wyn JonesPlaid Cymru20072011Minister for the Economy and Transport Rhodri MorganRh. Morgan IV Carwyn JonesJones I Office not in use 13 May 2011 – 6 August 2024 Huw Irranca-DaviesLabour 2024 2026 Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs Eluned MorganE. Morgan Sioned WilliamsPlaid Cymru 2026 Incumbent Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality Rhun ap Iorwerthap Iorwerth

See also

First Minister of Wales

References