Ken Skates appointed permanent Welsh Labour leader

Ken Skates has been appointed Welsh Labour’s leader after receiving the backing of the party’s Senedd group.

He has been interim leader since May’s Senedd election left his party with nine Members of the Senedd (MSs).

All nine nominated him, confirming the appointment.

Skates said “I am deeply honoured to have the unanimous backing of my colleagues in the Senedd”.

Labour had run the Welsh government for 27 years prior to Plaid Cymru taking control, after an election which saw former Labour leader Eluned Morgan lose her seat.

The appointment comes the day after Plaid Cymru lost a Senedd vote on extra spending plans after Labour refused to support changes to the budget.

Skates said: “I joined the party as a 14-year-old, and my belief still stands that no child’s future should be determined by their background.

“That no young person should be judged on anything other than the efforts they make and the decency they show to others.

“The Labour movement for me is a movement for fairness, justice, security and liberty.

“It is a movement that seeks to empower people and communities, to fight against injustice, intolerance, nepotism and cruelty.”

Deputy leader of Welsh Labour, Carolyn Harris MP, offered her congratulations.

She said, “He has my full backing as he undertakes the big task ahead of him – listening, learning, rebuilding and doing that crucial job of holding Plaid Cymru, and Reform UK, to account in the Senedd.

“I have no doubt he has the energy, thoughtfulness and optimism to take us forward and I look forward to working alongside him.”