Did Gething’s slogan have US inspiration?

THE campaign slogan used by Welsh Labour leadership candidate Vaughan Gething has been “borrowed” from a young leftwing Democrat who has just been elected to the House of Representatives.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress, winning New York’s 14th District with 78% of the vote.

Her campaign slogan, launched earlier this year, was “Change Takes Courage” – now also being used by Mr Gething in his bid to succeed Carwyn Jones as Welsh Labour leader and First Minister.

Ms Ocasio-Cortez shocked the establishment when she won the Democratic primary in June, unseating 10-term Congressman Joe Crowley.

For some, Mr Gething’s decision to use Ms Ocasio-Cortez’s slogan was reminiscent of an embarrassing incident in 1988, when would-be presidential candidate Joe Biden was accused of plagiarising a speech made by Neil Kinnock, then the Labour leader. Mr Biden dropped out of the race but later became Barack Obama’s vicepresident. A Welsh Labour source said: “Remember when Joe Biden ripped off Neil Kinnock’s ‘Why am I the first Kinnock in a thousand generations to get to university?’ Then, an American politician stole from a Welsh politician. Now a Welsh politician is stealing from an American politician.”

Asked why Mr Gething had “borrowed” Ms Ocasio-Cortez’s slogan and whether he had been inspired by her, a senior source in his campaign team said: “We’ve been inspired by so many courageous campaigns across the world.

“Vaughan Gething does have the burning desire to be First Minister, to create change for Wales.

“In the face of the establishment and a dwindling trust in the mainstream media, who spend more time on divisive language than policy, messages of hope, courage and change are more important than ever.

“Ours is a grassroots, peoplepowered campaign that seeks to inspire courage and secure the change Wales deserves. But change takes courage.”