Vaughan Gething announces bid for Welsh Labour Leader and First Minister

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething has announced his bid to run for leader of Welsh Labour and First Minister.

Mr Gething, who served as health minister during the coronavirus pandemic, said he does so “in recognition of the huge task ahead of us, both as a party and government.

It comes after First Minister Mark Drakeford triggered a leadership battle on Wednesday after confirming he would step down from the role in the new year.

In a statement, Mr Gething said: “I am announcing my intention to stand to be the next leader of Welsh Labour.

“I do so in full recognition of the huge task ahead of us, both as a party and as a government.

“We can only maintain our record of winning elections and fighting for the people of Wales if we are a united, modern, diverse movement which reflects this nation’s ambitions for the future.

“I am deeply honoured to have such strong support from right across the party, and the country, to build on Mark’s remarkable legacy.

“With a General Election on the horizon, Wales has a crucial opportunity to have two Labour governments working side-by-side to deliver real change in our communities and repair the damage wreaked by the toxic Tory years.

“I will do my utmost, working with Keir and all our party colleagues, to secure a Labour victory in that election and bring the change we so desperately need.

“I look forward to a positive leadership contest where I plan to set our an energetic agenda for our country’s future.

“For everyone who calls Wales home, I look forward to listening to your hopes, ambitions and concerns in the coming weeks.”

Other Members of the Senedd expected to announce their leadership bid include Health Minister Eluned Morgan and Education Minister Jeremy Miles.

Although Mr Miles has yet to formally confirm he will stand for leader of Welsh Labour and First Minister, Wrexham’s Member of the Senedd Lesley Griffiths has already given her backing.

In a series of posts on X, Ms Griffiths said: “I know what it’s like to fight tough elections.

“It wasn’t easy to win Wrexham back for Welsh Labour in 2007.

“To ensure we have two Labour governments working together for Wrexham and north Wales, we need to win back the seat in the UK Parliament at the next General Election.

“To beat the Tories in 2024, Welsh Labour’s next Leader and First Minister needs to appeal to people across the country, work with Keir Starmer to win in marginal seats, and together deliver for Wales’s future.

“That’s why I’m backing Jeremy Miles to be Welsh Labour’s next Leader and First Minister. Having served with Jeremy in government, I know he has what it takes to win for Labour and for north Wales.

“You can guarantee that a Welsh Labour Government led by Jeremy Miles will listen to voices and concerns here in the north, and make sure the Welsh Labour Government continues to work for us all.”