Ken Skates

Kenneth Christian Skates (born 2 April 1976) is a Welsh Labour politician who has served as Leader of Welsh Labour since May 2026. He initially served as interim leader, before being appointed as the party's permanent leader unopposed in July 2026. Skates represented the constituency of Clwyd South in the Senedd from the election of 2011; since 2026 he has represented the seat of Fflint Wrecsam. He is an alumnus of the University of Cambridge, and worked as a journalist prior to becoming a politician. In September 2014 he became the deputy minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport. From May 2016 to December 2018 he was the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills, and was the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales until he stood down on 13 May 2021. He held the Economy, Transport and North Wales position again between July and September 2024, when he assumed the economy portfolio. Following the 2026 Senedd election, Skates became interim Welsh Labour leader, before being elected permanent leader unopposed on 15 July.