Wales On Sunday

One member one vote is thrown out

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WELSH Labour has rejected one member one vote for future leadership elections.

It means it will continue to keep in place an electoral college system – with three sections comprising Labour Party members, members of affiliate trade unions and AMs, MPs and MEPs.

The party has also agreed that AMs, MPs and council leaders are eligible to stand for the deputy leadership.

And any leadership candidate – who must be an AM – must secure nomination­s from 20% of Welsh Labour AMs. That would equate to six of the present group.

Welsh Labour leader and First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “Welsh Labour is at its best and its boldest when it harnesses the support, ideas and enthusiasm of all those who share our values and ideals. The electoral college has helped us do just that, bringing together as it does all those with a stake in our party and our country.

“It is right and proper that those people who do so much to ensure Welsh Labour wins at the ballot box and delivers in government should all have their say on future leaders and deputy leaders. It is also right that we in Welsh Labour make decisions here in Wales that work best for Wales.”

Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Christina Rees MP said: “It is crucial that Welsh Labour stands ready to take the fight to the Tories drawing on the passion and support of all our stakeholde­rs. It is also right that those who campaign so hard for our party have a say on who leads it.

“I am pleased that the thousands of new members who have joined Welsh Labour in recent years and campaigned so hard under both Jeremy and Carwyn’s leadership­s will be able to join with trade unionists from across the country and those colleagues in affiliated organisati­ons to choose our deputy leader and next Welsh Labour leader.”

Welsh executive committee chairman Mike Payne said: “I was pleased so many constituen­cy Labour parties, trade unions and affiliated organisati­ons took part in the three-month consultati­on process leading up to today’s decision.

“There were passionate and sincerely held positions and opinions expressed right across Wales.

“As a lifelong trade unionist and Labour Party member, I am pleased that the Welsh Executive Committee has decided to maintain the historic link within the Welsh Labour and Trade Union movement, between trade unions, affiliates and party members.”

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