More backing Drakeford to be next Welsh leader
SUPPORT is building for candidates who have, or could, stand to replace Carwyn Jones. On Monday, Mark Drakeford became the first candidate to announce he will stand to be Welsh Labour’s next leader after Mr Jones announced he would stand down.
Vaughan Gething, Ken Skates, Eluned Morgan, Jeremy Miles and Huw Irranca Davies are also believed to be considering their options.
However, none have yet expressed a view publicly.
Ms Morgan is yet to make a decision, sources close to her have said.
Blaenau Gwent AM Alun Davies has said he would only stand if one member, one vote is introduced.
An online petition has been started by Julie Morgan, Julie James, Jenny Rathbone and Jane Hutt to call for the next leader to be elected via one-member-one-vote, not the existing electoral college system.
The leaders of two Labour-led Welsh councils have given their backing to Mark Drakeford to be the next First Minister.
Rob Stewart, who leads Swansea, and his Rhondda Cynon Taff counterpart Andrew Morgan have both pledged their support to the current Welsh Government finance secretary.
Both council leaders said they believed Mr Drakeford would have the support of others in local government and throughout the party membership.
Mr Stewart, who is also deputy leader of the Welsh Local Government Association, said: “Mark has made an immense contribution to Welsh politics, he has a huge experience of government having already held many of the major portfolios including health and finance.
“He is leading the Welsh Government’s response to Brexit and has ensured Wales has been protected from the worst of the impacts of austerity. He is radical without being reckless, and has demonstrated time and again he is an outstanding candidate to lead Wales forward.”
Mr Morgan, who is also the WLGA’s presiding officer, said: “Having known and worked with Mark over many years, I know Mark has a wealth of knowledge and experience that he could bring to the role of First Minister. I have no hesitation in backing Mark who is a man of integrity, honesty and true socialist values and is someone who will deliver for the people of Wales.”
Even though Mr Gething hasn’t officially said he will stand, Labour’s Caerphilly AM Hefin David has backed the Cardiff South and Penarth AM. In a tweet, Mr David said the former Butetown councillor was the man to “unite and connect our communities in these turbulent times”.
When asked on Twitter if Mr Gething was standing, he replied: “I hope so.”
Pontypridd AM Mick Antoniw was tipped to be another candidate, but he has backed Mr Drakeford.
A petition has been started to encourage Ms Morgan to stand and hashtags #EM4FM and #ElectEluned are being used on Twitter. There have been more than 300 signatures on that. It reads: “For too long women have been overlooked in Welsh politics. Despite the many movements and campaigns to bring about equality, Wales of all the UK nations is unique in that it has never elected a woman leader. Let’s change that. Let’s make THIS time THE time!
“Strong, decisive and caring, with a wealth of experience, Eluned Morgan has a long proven track record of championing the issues that matter most to the people in Wales; here in Cardiff, in Westminster and Europe.”
Mr Jones will stand down in September.