Former Wales first minister Carwyn Jones to get peerage

Former first minister Carwyn Jones is to be made a life peer by Downing Street.

Also set for elevation to the House of Lords is ex-Cardiff West MP Kevin Brennan.

Mr Jones was first minister from 2009 to 2018, until he quit in the wake of the death of sacked Welsh government minister Carl Sargeant.

He was on the then Welsh Assembly’s political scene since the start of devolution in 1999, when he was elected to become AM for Bridgend at 32.

He served in a range of cabinet jobs under predecessor Rhodri Morgan, including as minister for agriculture and counsel general.

He succeeded Mr Morgan as party leader and first minister in 2009, keeping his party in government after elections in 2011 and 2016, albeit with a minority administration.

Mr Jones was called to the Bar in 1989, is a master of the bench at Gray’s Inn and law professor at Aberystwyth University. He is a member of the Privy Council.

Labour politician Mr Brennan was a member of Parliament from 2001 until he stood down at this year’s election.

He served as a whip and in three different ministerial positions under two Labour prime ministers, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

Former MEP, MP and Wales Office Minister Sir Wayne David will replace Mr Brennan as the first minister’s chief special adviser in the new year.

First Minister Eluned Morgan thanked Mr Brennan for his work saying: “I know that he will continue to serve the interests of Wales in his new position.”