Leadership race bid needs one more voice
HEALTH Secretary Vaughan Gething needs the support of one more AM to stand for the Welsh Labour leadership.
The contest to succeed Carwyn Jones is due to be launched in September, with candidates requiring nominations from at least five AMs.
Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford already has the numbers, and now AMs Hefin David, Vikki Howells, Lynne Neagle and Joyce Watson have come out in favour of Mr Gething.
Mr David told BBC Radio Wales he was “reasonably confident” Mr Gething would get the extra nomination he needs, adding: “He is very good at harnessing ideas from a range of different sources – from AMs, party members and people outside the Labour Party.”
Mr Gething said he was “delighted” to have his colleagues’ support.
“I’m considering and I would like to be in the race to be leader of our party and our country,” he said.
“I can’t take anything for granted. It doesn’t mean I will be a guaranteed part of the contest. We’re in the fortunate yet challenging position of having had Welsh Labour leadership for nearly 20 years.
“That’s a remarkable achievement. But it brings its own challenges as well about how we renew in government. If we want to win a historic first-time-ever majority we have to recognise we can’t simply say ‘you’ve had 20 years of us, expect a lot more of the same’. I don’t think that’s an attractive message.”
An open letter from Mr Gething’s four AM supporters said: “We need our next leader to have experience of government, an understanding of our unique Welsh Labour history and to be ready and able to renew our party whilst in power. Welsh Labour will only succeed if it reflects the wonderfully diverse Wales of today. Our next leader must embody the optimism that we need for the future. They must be ready to represent all our communities, recognising that a changing Wales is an opportunity, not a threat.”
They say the next leader should be someone who can “galvanise our movement – members, trade unionists, the Co-operative Party and affiliates – to create the campaigns and momentum to win at the ballot box. Out of power we can help no-one.”
Mr Gething is not universally admired, however. Referring to an ITV Wales interview from which he walked out because he didn’t like a question he was asked, a Welsh Labour insider said: “You have to be tough enough to be able to stand and answer if you’re going to be First Minister. Every time he features in the leadership election, that clip will be shown. It will dog his every step.
“Some people might also feel that Welsh Labour doesn’t need another glib lawyer.”
Mr Gething did not respond to a request for comment, and Mr David would only say: “I strongly feel he’s the best candidate for the job.”