**First Minister Eluned Morgan Faces Tough Questions Amid Mounting Political Pressure**
Wales’ First Minister, Eluned Morgan, is set to be put under intense scrutiny as she faces a cross-party committee grilling on the Welsh Government’s progress across four vital areas. On Friday, Morgan, marking nearly a year in the role after succeeding her predecessor, finds herself at a critical juncture with her leadership experiencing significant pressure and public confidence appearing to wane.
As polling figures show troubling signs for Welsh Labour ahead of the 2026 Senedd elections, Morgan will appear before the Senedd’s dedicated cross-party scrutiny committee, chaired by David Rees MS. The gathering, which sits thrice annually, features committee chairs from all political backgrounds, offering a broad spectrum of representation in its questioning of the First Minister. The session is widely anticipated, given Labour’s current slump in the polls and the rise of both Plaid Cymru and Reform UK, who recent surveys suggest may overtake Labour in the next election cycle.
Polling results released this week by Sky News painted a sobering picture for the governing party, with Labour support at just 23%—trailing both Plaid Cymru and Reform UK. This follows a trend observed in three successive polls, each placing Labour behind its competitors. This decline in support raises the stakes for Morgan, who must defend her administration’s record and provide assurances to voters seeking effective government.
The focus of the questioning will centre on four priority areas the Welsh Government highlighted in September, shortly after Morgan assumed the First Minister’s chair. These priorities include ambitious targets for the health service, the creation of green jobs, enhanced opportunities for families, and improving connectivity in Welsh communities.
One of the headline issues is the state of Wales’ National Health Service, particularly the extended waiting lists for crucial treatments and mental health services. Questions are expected regarding the government’s handling of NHS backlogs, strategies for reducing patient waiting times, and steps taken to improve access to social care and women’s health services. The ongoing strain on the Welsh NHS has been a constant concern, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and budgetary pressures, making this a challenging aspect for Morgan to defend.
Alongside health, economic growth and job creation are also under the spotlight. Morgan is anticipated to detail the government’s plans to generate sustainable, green jobs that will both tackle the climate crisis and support working families. The government’s ambition to accelerate planning procedures is particularly relevant as Wales aims to attract investment and foster robust economic growth. These economic priorities are seen as pivotal not just for short-term recovery, but for the wider prosperity of Welsh communities.
Opportunities for families—spanning from raising educational standards in schools and colleges to increasing the availability of affordable social housing—form another pillar of the government’s agenda. Morgan will likely face probing questions on progress in these areas and how policies are being implemented to ensure equal access to opportunity for every Welsh household.
Transport and connectivity initiatives will not escape scrutiny either. Wales has embarked on an ambitious programme to improve rail and bus services across the nation, while the government’s divisive 20mph speed limit in residential areas continues to generate debate. Local communities’ powers to shape transport policy will be a central topic as the government responds to concerns about road infrastructure and the quality of transport links.
Throughout the session, Morgan is expected to set out her government’s achievements and challenges, while responding to forthright questioning from opposition members. The grilling serves as a vital democratic tool, offering the public insight into government performance and holding power to account as the next Senedd election draws closer.
With just under a year until the 2026 election, the outcome of today’s session could prove crucial—not only for Eluned Morgan’s personal standing as First Minister but for the future direction of Welsh Labour as a whole. The Welsh public, as ever, will be watching closely to see whether the current government can address their concerns and restore faith in its leadership at a pivotal moment in the nation’s political life.