Sources have disclosed to BBC Wales that the first minister of Wales has initiated her first cabinet reshuffle. Eluned Morgan will be deciding whether to reappoint the ministers, including Jeremy Miles, who forced Vaughan Gething’s resignation in the summer. Ministers have been directed to meet with Morgan on Wednesday, according to insider information. The former first minister Gething has already declined any return to the government.
Although it is unclear how comprehensive the reshuffle will be, sources assert it is expected to be announced on Wednesday. Morgan has not made any significant ministerial appointments since becoming the first minister in August. The exception is the interim health secretary which she assigned to former first minister Mark Drakeford to fill in her vacancy. This office is critical to the government, with over half of the Welsh government’s £20bn budget.
It has yet to be seen if the interim health secretary, Drakeford, will continue performing the role more permanently, whether in health or another job. In July, four members of the Welsh government cabinet resigned to force Gething’s resignation. The resignations included Julie James, climate change secretary; Lesley Griffiths, culture and social justice; counsel general Mick Antoniw, and Jeremy Miles, the former economy secretary.
Morgan won the Welsh Labour leadership position on the pledge that she would reunite the divided Labour Senedd politicians. Her election for leadership was uncontested after Miles declined to compete. The former economy minister was viewed unfavourably by supporters of Gething who held him accountable for the divisions among the group. Detractors of Gething attributed the disharmony to his acceptance of £200,000 campaign donation from a man previously convicted of illegal waste dumping
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