“`html
First Minister Eluned Morgan acknowledges feeling the pressure as she prepares her party for the upcoming Senedd election, marking her first year in office.
Recent polling data suggests that Labour may relinquish its lead in a Welsh parliamentary election for the first time since the 1920s.
Commemorating her first year as leader, the Welsh Labour leader recognized her “historic responsibility,” acknowledging the “tough time” her party faces.
Furthermore, she indicated that the UK government was “probably” not attentive to her remarks during a notable speech where she critiqued Sir Keir Starmer’s government.
Opposition parties have criticized Morgan’s first year, citing “drift,” “dithering,” and “failure,” while claiming that “the same old problems remain.”
Morgan assumed leadership following a period of turmoil, succeeding Vaughan Gething’s ousting by senior Welsh government figures.
Gething’s brief tenure as first minister was largely defined by a £200,000 donation from an individual previously convicted of illegal waste disposal, which supported his leadership campaign.
Morgan’s installation occurred uncontested after other potential candidates withdrew.
Since then, the first minister has prioritized a focused agenda, with particular emphasis on reducing prolonged NHS waiting times.
Speaking on the BBC Wales podcast Walescast on Wednesday, Morgan stated that progress was being made, noting that “the longest waits are definitely heading in the right direction”.
When confronted with the recent increase in two-year wait times, she acknowledged a “particular problem” within the north Wales health board, Betsi Cadwaladr.
She said: “I am pulling my hair out.
“But, look, we’re all over them.”
Morgan noted the health board was outsourcing some treatments “out into the independent sector, because you know what you’re getting there”, alongside the opening of a new orthopaedic hub.
Figures released in July indicated a 6.5% increase in those waiting more than two years compared to the previous month, totaling just under 10,300 individuals.
Morgan emphasized the need for Labour to address the challenges facing the party with seriousness.
“I think we’ve got to remind people of what’s at stake, things that they see every day in their lives, free prescriptions, free bus passes, free school meals.
“Every time you win an election, it gets more difficult for the time after and of course, there’s a historic responsibility, and there’s a responsibility as the first woman leader as well.
“So yeah, of course, I’m feeling the pressure.”
A key moment during her term occurred in May, when Morgan delivered a speech at Cardiff Bay’s Norwegian Church, offering pointed criticism of UK government policy.
Framing it as the Red Welsh Way, Morgan vowed to “call out” Labour in Westminster if ministers “got it wrong for Wales.”
The first minister acknowledged that the Welsh government had received increased funding from the UK government for coal tips and rail projects.
“So is it enough? No, I want more. I’ll always want more, and I’m not going to apologise for that.”
Morgan stated her belief that the UK government had “started sitting up and paying a bit more attention to us since I made the Red Welsh Way speech.”
Asked if the speech was prompted by a perceived lack of attention, Morgan responded: “I think that that was probably the case at that time, but that is no longer the case. Since then the engagement has been transformed.”
Morgan affirmed that she speaks with Sir Keir “at least once a month… probably more than any other first ministers had in the past.”
The Welsh Labour leader also defended her party’s selection procedures, amid scrutiny regarding the duration of the process.
Morgan attributed the slowness to the party’s commitment to “trying to make sure we do due diligence well.”
The first minister assumed leadership following months of internal discord within her party.
Speaking to BBC Radio Cymru podcast Gwleidydda with Vaughan Roderick, she said: “I think it’s important that we concentrate on what’s important to the people of Wales.”
Morgan admitted to feeling “hesitant” upon taking the reins, but affirmed that the situation had “calmed down a lot” since then.
“I was confident I could fix that and quite quickly that’s what happened,” she said.
She emphasized that Labour must prioritize voters’ concerns over “internal political nonsense.”
In response to suggestions of internal Welsh Labour infighting, she stated her “hate” for such politics.
“I think we should rise above that, and I don’t think there’s a political split in the party,” she added.
Darren Millar, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, stated: “One year on and nothing has changed.
“Whether it’s 20mph speed limits slowing Wales down, or Labour’s plans to waste £120m on more politicians in the Senedd, the same old problems remain.”
Heledd Fychan, Plaid Cymru Senedd member, commented: “Eluned Morgan’s first year as first minister is encapsulated by a record of failure: from missing her own target to eliminate two-year NHS treatment waits, to faltering educational outcomes and rising levels of poverty in our communities.”
Reform, which aims to secure its first Senedd seats next May, asserted: “From day one, she promised leadership and delivery. What we got was drift, dithering, and distraction.
“Public services are buckling, the economy is stagnant, and the people of Wales are being let down by a first minister more interested in headline-chasing than hard graft.”
Jane Dodds, Welsh Liberal Democrat leader, acknowledged that it was “fantastic” Wales had a female first minister and that leading a party “was harder when you’re a woman”.
“But the thing I’ve been thinking about a lot is that she doesn’t stand up to Keir Starmer,” she said.
“She promised to do that. She promised to make sure Wales’ voice was strong and I don’t see that.”
Eluned Morgan backs a high-profile Welsh Labour member who failed to win Senedd election selection.
Less than a fifth of Welsh government staff use the office, as the vast majority work from home.
Sir Wayne David quits for health reasons, saying there is “no political reason” for his departure.
Morgan broke Senedd’s rules by failing to declare she had money from a trade union, watchdog finds.
Sir Keir Starmer uses his Welsh Labour conference speech to attack the leader of Reform UK.
“`