Ken Skates has been appointed as the new leader of Welsh Labour following the party’s recent defeat in the Senedd election. Skates, 50, who had been serving as interim leader since Eluned Morgan stepped down in May, will now lead the party into a period of rebuilding.

Labour, which had governed Wales continuously since the establishment of the National Assembly for Wales (now known as the Senedd) in 1999, experienced a setback when it lost its majority in the latest election. Morgan resigned as leader after losing her own seat.

Skates has represented his constituency since 2011 and has held several key positions within the Welsh government, including roles as transport secretary and economy and infrastructure secretary. Prior to his political career, he worked as a journalist for the Wrexham Leader newspaper and BBC Wales.

In accepting the leadership role, Skates emphasized his longstanding commitment to the party’s values, noting that he joined Labour as a teenager and remains motivated by a belief that a child’s future should not be defined by their background. His leadership marks a new chapter for Welsh Labour as it seeks to regain influence in the Senedd and reconnect with voters across Wales.