Ex-minister quits ahead of Wales' 2026 election

Former Welsh government minister Lesley Griffiths has announced she will not be standing at the next Senedd election.

She becomes the ninth Labour MS to announce their intention to step down in 2026.

In a statement on Friday, the Wrexham MS said it had been "an absolute privilege" to represent the constituency.

Meanwhile the cabinet secretary for transport, Ken Skates, announced he was hoping to be selected as a Labour candidate in the new, enlarged constituency of Wrexham.

First elected to Cardiff Bay in 2007, Griffiths has served as the Welsh government's minister for rural affairs, health, local government and culture, as well as business manager and minister for north Wales.

Last July, she was one of four cabinet members who resigned from government, prompting the resignation of First Minister Vaughan Gething.

In her Facebook statement on Friday, Griffiths said: "I have today informed Wrexham Constituency Labour Party that I will not be seeking re-election at the 2026 Senedd election.

"To the electorate of Wrexham, it has been an absolute privilege to represent you as the Welsh Labour Member of the Senedd since 2007 and I look forward to continuing to do so to the best of my ability until the next election."

Skates has represented Clwyd South in the Senedd since 2011, however that constituency will no longer exist at the next election.

"It's been a massive honour to have served Clwyd South and it saddens me deeply that the constituency will cease to exist from next year," he said.

Announcing his intention to stand in Wrexham, he said: "It would be the thrill of a lifetime to serve the newest and greatest city in our country."