The new Welsh Government was announced on Thursday, with the line-up including key roles for several Labour & Co-operative Assembly members.

Vaughan Gething, who has represented the constituency of Cardiff South and Penarth for the Party since 2011 received a promotion to the Cabinet, as Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport. He is joined by Rebecca Evans as Minister for Social Services and Public Health, and by Alun Davies, who rejoins the Government as Minister for Lifelong Learning and Welsh Language.

The appointment of Co-operative AMs to key roles creates significant opportunities for co-operative values and principles to influence the Welsh Government’s agenda.

In the Co-operative Party’s Agenda for Wales, urges new approaches to primary care such as GP co-operatives, as well as ‘active support’ for co-operative social care providers.

In sport, the Party hopes to see financial and political support provided for the creation of a Supporters Direct Wales, which, as in England and Scotland, would provide practical assistance to football and rugby fans to form co-operative supporters trusts, giving them a real say in the running of their clubs.