the personalities behind the portfolios (part one)
Vaughan Gething has announced his new cabinet, with some surprises. In the first of two posts, I take a lighter look at some of the personalities behind the portfolios.
March 21, 2024
Jeremy Miles takes the economy and energy brief and keeps responsibility for the Welsh language. The future of Welsh steel will be an urgent priority, but given his leadership manifesto - he’ll be keen to tackle some of the longer-term economic challenges that are constraining the Welsh economy. Expect no slowdown in the push towards Cymraeg 2050.
Eluned Morgan retains health to the surprise of many, herself probably included. Once a coveted job, these days the brief is something of a poisoned chalice. But with an uphill battle on waiting times and looming strikes - she’ll have little time to dwell.
Rebecca Evans gained a big promotion early in her ministerial career when she was made finance minister. She’s shown she has a sharp eye for detail but doesn’t get lost in the weeds - a useful quality when running the nation’s finances. Her expanded role will mean more responsibility around negotiating a better funding settlement for Wales. And her cabinet office responsibilities might see her take on a cross-government enforcer role.
Whilst she’s no single-issue politician, there are few Senedd Members who can match Lynne Neagle’s laser focus on improving early life chances. The education brief will be a unique opportunity for her to advance this cause.
If the Richter Scale measures the force of earthquakes, and Celsius helps us track temperature, then perhaps charm should be measured using the Irranca Scale. Huw Irranca-Davies takes on a recast Climate Change & Rural Affairs brief. An experienced hand on the topics he’ll be dealing with, no doubt his ability to build relationships will come in handy when talks resume with farming unions.
Lesley Griffiths is the new minister for fun and fairness* taking on a role that includes social justice, equality, culture and sport. She’ll be responsible for funding both the arts and the third sector - two areas that have taken a particular budget hit. Her experience means she knows her way around government, having handled much trickier portfolios in the past. (* not her official title).
And finally…
Cool Cymru, Mr Blobby, and the Millennium Bug were all the rage when Jane Hutt first became a Welsh Minister in 1999. Her staying power is down to the fact that she’s very skilled at building consensus and reaching across the aisle to other parties in the Senedd. As chief whip and “leader of the house” in a government without an absolute majority - this skill is essential.