**Public Perceptions of Wales’ First Minister Revealed in Cardiff Street Poll**
As political landscapes shift across the UK, questions are being raised about the public’s awareness of their political leaders in Wales. A recent survey conducted in Cardiff has spotlighted an intriguing lack of recognition for Eluned Morgan, the current First Minister of Wales—a position pivotal to the nation’s governance.
On a Thursday morning in late July, journalists took to the streets of the Welsh capital to assess how much the general public knew about leading Welsh politicians. Participants were asked a variety of questions, ranging from the date of the next Senedd election to their preferences for the forthcoming government, and even to identify political figures from their photographs.
Perhaps most notably, the majority of those approached failed to correctly identify Eluned Morgan, with some confusing her for high-profile Westminster politicians such as Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. One individual admitted, “She looks familiar, that’s all I can say,” while another remarked, “Is that Rachel… the lady who is supposed to be running the country with the money?” Such comments highlight the enduring challenge that Welsh devolution faces: a significant proportion of people in Wales remain more conversant with London-based politicians than their devolved government leaders.
Despite Labour’s historical dominance in Wales—having led the devolved administration since its inception in 1999, and often being synonymous with Welsh politics since the early 20th century—there is a palpable uncertainty among the public about the party’s future at the next Senedd election, scheduled for May 2026. Most respondents struggled to recall basic facts, such as the election date or the current leader of the opposition. Notably, not a single person surveyed could name Darren Millar, the head of the Welsh Conservatives.
Opinions gathered on the future of Labour’s leadership were as varied as they were impassioned. Some Cardiff residents argued that Labour’s stronghold would likely continue, with one reasoning, “They have consistently [been in power], haven’t they? So I don’t see why the public would change their mind all of a sudden.” Others, however, referenced recent polling data, which has suggested that Reform UK and Plaid Cymru are making significant gains, casting doubt on Labour’s prospects in 2026.
The presence of Reform UK as a growing force in Welsh politics has not gone unnoticed. “People think Reform care and that’s the problem. So they might go for Reform,” one local commented. The most recent poll by More in Common for Sky News placed Labour’s support at just 5% above a previous low, and predicted that Reform UK could potentially become the largest party in the Senedd next year. Plaid Cymru was also highlighted as a credible contender, especially with the possibility of coalition scenarios being openly discussed.
Amongst those who do follow politics closely, there was a consensus that winds of change may be blowing. “It is likely that Plaid will get in and possible that Labour will get enough seats to form some sort of coalition with Plaid,” observed one respondent from Cwmbran, reflecting the increasingly complex political calculations in the Senedd.
There was equal variation in how people viewed the prospect of Reform UK entering government. A retired lawyer noted, “I don’t particularly like Farage… but some of his ideas are probably going to sway a lot of people,” while also expressing concerns about the party’s apparent inexperience among potential new Members of the Senedd.
Interestingly, some individuals did recognise First Minister Eluned Morgan immediately, demonstrating that while public knowledge might be patchy, pockets of political awareness do exist. Yet for every correct answer, there were several more admissions of unfamiliarity with key figures and events in Welsh politics. One participant confessed, “No, I wouldn’t recognise her. I thought she was the one up in parliament. See, I don’t watch the news and I don’t read the papers,” echoing a wider theme of political disengagement.
With the next Welsh election approaching and party loyalties being tested as never before, these street interviews suggest a nation at a crossroads not only politically, but in its relationship with devolution and its own democratic processes. Whether knowledge of the country’s leaders will catch up with political shifts remains to be seen, but what is clear is that Wales’ political future is far from certain—and that public engagement may play an increasingly critical role in the months to come.