Rhun ap Iorwerth to become Wales' new first minister within days

Wales is set to be led by its first Plaid Cymru first minister, after three other Senedd parties indicated they would either back Rhun ap Iorwerth's nomination or not oppose him.

Plaid, with 43 seats, and Reform, with 34, are now the only big parties in Cardiff Bay.

In the Senedd vote, which could be as soon as Tuesday, ap Iorwerth needs more votes than any other candidate, rather than a majority of all Members of the Senedd (MSs), to be the winner.

Ken Skates, interim Labour leader after Eluned Morgan lost her seat, has indicated that his group will abstain, as will sole Liberal Democrat MS Jane Dodds.

But the Green Party, with two MSs, will back ap Iorwerth, meaning he cannot now be blocked.

Over the weekend, ap Iorwerth said he wanted Plaid Cymru to govern on its own rather than seeking to bring another party or parties into his administration.

He said he was seeking cross-party cooperation and wanted support from across the Senedd for his programme.

During a tour of broadcast studios on Sunday, he said he would "call out" the Labour UK government if it fails to "do the right thing for Wales", and "take the fight" to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer if that is what is needed.

On Sunday, Skates said Labour Senedd members would meet on Monday to formally decide their position, but "the idea of teaming up with Reform is deeply unpleasant for all of the members of my group".

Dodds said "we are not going to back any Reform UK first minster", adding: "I am going to abstain if it's Rhun's name that goes forward."

The Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter said backing ap Iorwerth was a "no-brainer", as Plaid Cymru has "such a clear mandate" and "we need to send a clear message that it is time for progressive politics in Wales".

Reform MS Llŷr Powell told BBC Wales that Reform Senedd members would nominate their leader, Dan Thomas, to be first minister.

The Conservatives are expected to meet on Monday or early Tuesday to decide the position they will take.

Before the vote for first minister can take place, a new Llywydd, or speaker of the Senedd, must be in place, as Plaid MS Elin Jones is stepping down from the position.

Ex-Conservative Senedd group leader Paul Davies has said he would like the role, but will need backing from the either the Plaid Cymru or Reform groups to get the job.