TODAY was a historic moment for Wales as Eluned Morgan became the first female leader of the nation.
The significance feels a little more hollow as her predecessor, the first black leader of a European nation, lasted only a few short months in post. Baroness Morgan will need to stand the test of time before the value of her breaking the glass ceiling can be heralded fully.
Whatever the circumstances around Vaughan Gething's departure, Baroness Morgan's achievement is impressive. She has served in the European Parliament, the House of Lords and the Senedd, giving her a broad political experience.
But perhaps more important is her roots. The new first minister grew up as the vicar's daughter in Ely in Cardiff, one of Europe's biggest housing estates.
In her maiden speech in the job this afternoon, she said: "This is the community that shaped me, the community that ignited my passion for democratic politics, and that made me a socialist and the trade unionist that I am today.
“As I lived in that community, I learned an invaluable lesson about the need to listen – to truly listen to the concerns and hopes of everyone.
“Living in that community taught me the invaluable lesson of listening – really listen to the concerns and hopes of everyone."
Ely is not Gwent, but there are similarities in the challenges some people face in Newport, Ebbw Vale or Pontypool.
Baroness Morgan talked about people who have "become deeply disconnected from the political process" and of the need to restore public trust.
It is clear that many people have lost faith in the system. The poor turnout in the General Election showed that - in Blaenau Gwent only 43 per cent of people voted. Given that even fewer vote in the Senedd elections, the new first minister has a job on her hands.
But it is a job she must embrace. It is welcome that she has recognised this in her first speech to the Senedd even i few of those whom she seeks to address will have heard her. There aren't many people in Cwmbran streaming Senedd.tv online.
Reaching out to the people who feel left behind is no easy task. A first step is being open to scrutiny. Mr Gething failed on this score. He could have saved his premiership had he recognised a mistake and done something about it rather than railing against those who reported it. Baroness Morgan must do better. She should take every opportunity to explain and make her case the people of Wales, whether in media interviews or in person.
The next step is to own the problem. If her government wants people to believe it can help them and improve their lives, then she and it must believe it too.
Too often as health minister, she - like those before her - have pointed the finger at Westminster as to blame for all ills. That won't wash if the new first minister is to reach out to the disconnected. She needs to give them a reason to listen, engage and believe.
I wish her every success. The communities of Gwent and beyond are counting on it.
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