Carmarthenshire Labour Group has elected Councillor Rob James to be their new leader, making him the youngest Labour leader in Wales and one of the youngest opposition leaders in the country.

Rob James, aged 30, will now lead the 22 member group in opposition on Carmarthenshire County Council.

Speaking after the vote, Cllr Rob James said “It is a great honour to receive the support of colleagues to lead the Labour Group for the coming year.

“I want to thank Councillor Jeff Edmunds for his dedication and leadership over the last three years.

“Over the coming months, we will be very active in communities across Carmarthenshire articulating the Labour alternative to this Plaid-led Council.

“This Council continues to hit hard-pressed families across our County with reduced services and cutbacks, coupled with increased charges and Council tax.

“We want to build a Carmarthenshire that works for all and we will seek to empower communities across our County to ensure that they have a voice in building that Carmarthenshire.”

Bynea Councillor, Deryk Cundy, was elected to support the new leader as his deputy.