In a statement the new Welsh Labour leader said: “I am truly honoured to become the first woman to lead Welsh Labour and to be put forward as our party’s nominee to become the next first minister of Wales.

“At this pivotal time for our country, strength, stability, and unity will be my guiding principles. I want to ensure that everyone in Wales has the opportunity and ability to fulfil their potential," said Eluned Morgan.

“Huw Irranca-Davies and I stood proudly as a partnership, and we are delighted to have received the overwhelming support of Welsh Labour MSs and support from across Wales and the wider Labour movement.

“When we pledged unity, we meant it – and that is how we will lead."

Eluned Morgan will succeed Vaughan Gething as Welsh Labour leader, the party has confirmed.

She is also set to be the next first minister, making her the first woman to lead the nation.

Nobody stood against her in the contest triggered by Gething's resignation after he was forced out by the resignations of three ministers and his chief legal adviser.

She won the support of almost all of Labour’s politicians in the Welsh Parliament.

The Cardiff-born 57-year-old is a former Member of the European Parliament and a life peer who has overseen the Welsh health service since the last election in 2021.

She has promised to unify the split Welsh Labour group, which has been beset by rows since Gething's election of Gething last March.

Huw Irranca-Davies, who supported Gething’s opponent Jeremy Miles in the last leadership contest, is expected to be her deputy.

Gething remains first minister until Morgan is confirmed in a vote of the Senedd, which is likely to be recalled from its summer recess at a yet to be determined date.

Gething’s time in office was dogged by controversy over donations of £200,000 from a company owned by a man previously convicted of illegally dumping waste.

With Eluned Morgan set to become new first minister, would you recognise her from just a picture?

BBC Wales asked people in central Cardiff to identify her – with mixed success.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have called on Eluned Morgan to rebuild trust in Welsh politics.

“I would first like to congratulate Eluned Morgan on her successful nomination as the leader of Welsh Labour,” says leader Jane Dodds.

She called it a "fantastic achievement" to be the first female first minister "and I am delighted to see another woman leading the way in Welsh politics.

“The last few months of Welsh Labour scandals and in-fighting has been an unhelpful distraction from resolving the challenges facing Wales.

“Unfortunately, these recent events have undoubtedly undermined trust in Welsh politics. Welsh Labour must realise that they can no longer take the Welsh electorate for granted, trust must be earned.”

Image source, Getty Images

Jack Grey
BBC Wales News

While we eagerly await news from Welsh Labour, white smoke is not about to emerge from the Senedd chimney - although the Senedd actually has a funnel.

It'll probably be a press release.

Less glamour than the Vatican, but undeniably more practical.

Image source, Getty Images

Welsh Labour politicians have begun welcoming Eluned Morgan as their new leader.

David Rees, deputy presiding officer of the Senedd, and Mid and West Wales MS Joyce Watson both sent her "huge congratulations".

"She has the experience & values Wales needs as we move forward with a new UK Labour government," Mr Rees said on X.

Image source, PA Media

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has congratulated Eluned Morgan, but was quick to criticise her record as health secretary.

He said the fact that she was the third Welsh Labour leader since March “speaks volumes about the turmoil at the heart of the governing party".

Ap Iorwerth said Wales needs the first minister to succeed, but for that to happen “decisions must be different, and outcomes must be better”.

He referenced “record high waiting lists” in the Welsh NHS during her time as health secretary, saying she had shown an “inability to get to grips with the significant challenges".

He also urged her to call a Senedd election, accusing Labour of continuing “to fight amongst themselves”.

Jack Grey
BBC Wales News

...here's the latest: Welsh Labour is about to announce its next leader, who will also become first minster.

It's going to be Eluned Morgan, as no-one else has stood - but it hasn't officially happened yet.

If all goes smoothly, she is set to become both the first female leader of Welsh Labour and the first female first minister - a lot of firsts.

However, she will only become first minister after being confirmed by the Senedd, which is currently on its summer recess. It may be recalled early if Vaughan Gething is to officially resign.

The contest, albeit a one-horse race, began after Gething stepped down as first minister following a row over a £200,000 donation his leadership campaign received from a company whose boss was twice convicted of environmental offences.

Welsh Labour is meeting at the moment and we're expecting some news from the party shortly.

Jack Grey
BBC Wales News

Image source, Getty Images

Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, says: “I firstly congratulate Eluned Morgan on becoming the first female leader of Welsh Labour and, if supported by the Senedd, Wales’ first ever female first minister."

However, the niceties end there. He says she has presided over the "worst Welsh NHS waiting lists on record".

“The baroness has picked up the crown at the coronation, with Prince Charming as her deputy," he adds.

In case you're wondering about that reference, Morgan is a member of the House of Lords and her formal title is Baroness Morgan of Ely. She has chosen Huw Irranca-Davies as her deputy.

Davies continued: “If her lack of delivery in Wales’ NHS is replicated across the Welsh economy and education system then Wales is going to be a lot worse off in the future."

Jack Grey
BBC Wales News

A formal roll call vote is required of all 60 Members of the Senedd (MSs) before Eluned Morgan can be confirmed in the top job.

BBC Wales has been told that discussions have happened with the first minister's office about Vaughan Gething officially quitting before the end of the summer recess, requiring the Senedd to be recalled. It's not clear when that will happen, but could be in the next couple of weeks.

The fact that some MSs are abroad on holiday adds another complication because the vote requires every MS - regardless of party - to say out loud who they think should be first minister.

In theory, the opposition, with exactly half the numbers in the Senedd, could prevent Morgan from being confirmed by getting behind a single candidate.

However in practice this will not happen - Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds plans to abstain.

Jack Grey
BBC Wales News

Image source, Getty Images

Jeremy Miles ran against Vaughan Gething for the Welsh Labour leadership earlier this year, narrowly losing with 48.3% of the vote to Gething's 51.7%.

Miles was one of the four cabinet members who resigned from the Welsh government, prompting Gething to stand down last week.

So why is he not standing now?

On Sunday, in a surprise move, he endorsed Eluned Morgan for the job, saying she was "best placed to take the country and party forward".

He said he had been "really grateful to so many people for the encouragement to stand in this election".

However, Gething supporters have told the BBC that Miles would not be able to unite Labour in the Senedd.

Morgan is seen by some as a unity candidate following a fractious period.

David Deans
BBC Wales politics reporter

Right now, Vaughan Gething is still first minister.

Eluned Morgan will not take the helm of the Welsh government until he formally resigns, but the fact that the Senedd is in recess makes it more complicated than it might otherwise have been.

We are expecting Gething to step down much sooner than he had originally planned in September, but the Welsh Parliament will need to be recalled for his successor to be installed.

No date has been set for when that will happen, and more than a few Members of the Senedd (MSs) are away on holiday.

Jack Grey
BBC Wales News

Vaughan Gething's time at the top was mired in controversy from the get go.

The one issue he was not able to get away from was the £200,000 donation his leadership campaign received from a company whose boss was twice convicted of environmental offences.

Despite denying any wrongdoing until the bitter end, on 16 July four cabinet members, including leadership rival Jeremy Miles, stepped down and called for his resignation, forcing Gething's hand.

"I regret that the burden of proof is no longer an important commodity in the language of our politics," he said in his resignation statement.

He announced he was going exactly four months after his victory was announced. His 118 days in the job is the shortest since devolution began in 1999.

David Deans
BBC Wales politics reporter

Labour has confirmed that Eluned Morgan is the only candidate in the Welsh Labour leadership election, because she was the only nominee.

To take part in the election candidates would normally need at least five other supporters.

By our own count Morgan had the support of almost everyone in the Senedd group of 30 Labour members.

Backers included the former first minister Mark Drakeford.

It became clear a contest was unlikely at the weekend when Jeremy Miles, who narrowly lost out to Vaughan Gething for the leadership only last March, bowed out and backed her.

Labour has to go through the motions now of confirming her as leader - we expect this to be in a meeting of procedures committee at around 13:00 BST.

Jack Grey
BBC Wales News

Wales is about to have a new leader and you're in the right place to hear all the latest as soon as it happens.

Labour has confirmed that Eluned Morgan is the only candidate to replace outgoing First Minister Vaughan Gething. She is therefore set to become the first female leader of both Welsh Labour and Wales.

But there are Senedd processes to be followed and party rules to abide by, so nothing is confirmed yet - but we're hoping to bring you news of the outcome soon.

Follow live here for background, build up and expert analysis from our top political team.