David Rees beats Labour colleague to be elected as Deputy Presiding Officer

David Rees has been beaten his Labour colleague Hefin David to be elected as Deputy Presiding Officer.

In a socially distanced secret ballot at a meeting of the Senedd – the first since last week’s election – David Rees won by 35 to 24.

David Rees, the MS for Aberavon, defeated Hefin David, the MS for Caerphilly.

This follows the re-election of Elin Jones as Presiding Officer after she beat the Conservative MS Russell George by 35 votes to 25.

The job of the Presiding Officer is to chair meetings in the chamber and act as the Senedd’s figurehead, and the Deputy Presiding Officer acts as their number two.

Mark Drakeford is expected to be confirmed as First Minister later in the session. Welsh Labour won 30 out of 60 seats in the chamber in the election last week.

“Honoured and delighted to be elected as Deputy Presiding Officer of the Senedd,” David Rees said. “Thank you to all members who have put their faith in me to maintain our standing orders and the running of the Senedd.”

“Llongyfarchiadau David Rees, Diprwy Llywydd,” Hefin David said. “I’m looking forward to supporting my good friend as Deputy Presiding Officer in the Sixth Senedd.”