First Minister of Wales

Eluned Morgan was born in 1967 in Ely, Cardiff. She was educated at Glantaf Welsh  language comprehensive school. She won a scholarship to the United World College  of the Atlantic and gained a degree in European Studies from the University of Hull.  She formerly worked as a researcher for S4C, Agenda TV and the BBC. 

Eluned’s political career started at the age of 27 when she was elected as the  youngest Member of the European Parliament in 1994. She was only the fifth woman  elected to a full time political position in the history of Wales, and the first full time  politician in Wales to have a baby whilst in office. She represented Wales for the  Labour Party from 1994-2009. In this role she became the Labour spokesperson on  industry, science and energy and spokesperson for the 200 strong Socialist Group  on Budget Control matters. She authored the Green Paper on energy on behalf of  the EP and led the Parliament’s discussions on the Electricity Directive where she  ensured new rights for consumers and demanded that Member States of the EU  addressed the issue of fuel poverty. 

From late 2009 until July 2013, she worked as the Director of National Business  Development in Wales for SSE (SWALEC) one of the UK’s largest energy  companies. During 2013 -2016, Eluned Morgan served as the Shadow Minister for  Wales in the House of Lords, and from 2014-2016 she served as Shadow Minister  for Foreign Affairs. She was granted a peerage in 2011 and is formally known as  Baroness Morgan of Ely. 

Eluned Morgan was elected to the National Assembly in May 2016 as regional  member for Mid & West Wales. In November 2017 Eluned was appointed Minister  for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning. On 13 December 2018 she was  appointed Minister for International Relations and the Welsh Language which she  held until becoming Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing and the Welsh Language  on 8 October 2020. Eluned was appointed Minister for Health and Social Services on  13 May 2021, and re-appointed as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care on  21 March 2024. 

Eluned Morgan became First Minister of Wales on 6 August 2024.