Huw Irranca-davies wins 85 votes to become new Llywydd

Huw Irranca-davies was elected new Llywydd of the Senedd on Tuesday, May 12, winning 85 votes from Senedd Members. He beat Welsh Conservative Senedd Member Paul Davies and took the chair after the result was announced.

The vote produced nine against and one abstention. Irranca-Davies told the chamber he had the knowledge of standing orders and Senedd procedures needed to be the Welsh Parliament’s official referee.

Senedd chamber vote

The result came as members of the seventh Senedd met for their first Plenary session since election results were announced last week. The Llywydd chairs Plenary meetings and remains politically impartial at all times, while also representing the Senedd on a national, UK and international stage.

Elin Jones stood down after nearly a decade as Llywydd of the Senedd, ending a long period in which she held the office that also chairs the Senedd Commission. Irranca-Davies received a round of applause from fellow MSs when the result was announced.

Deputy Presiding Officer vote

After taking up his seat at the head of the Chamber, Irranca-Davies began overseeing the election of a new Deputy Presiding Officer. The position had been held by Welsh Labour MS David Rees.

Kerry Ferguson was the only MS nominated for the role of Deputy Presiding Officer, placing the chamber’s next vote under the new presiding officer’s control. The day marked the start of a new leadership team in the Senedd, with the chamber now moving under a new Llywydd and a new deputy selection process.