Eluned Morgan confirms bid to replace Vaughan Gething

Health Secretary Eluned Morgan has officially announced she is running to replace outgoing First Minister Vaughan Gething, who lasted just four months in the post.

Baroness Morgan will be standing on a joint “unity” ticket with rural affairs minister Huw Irranca-Davies, who would become deputy first minister.

They have received a groundswell of support from across the Labour benches, including from Mr Gething’s rival in the last leadership race, Jeremy Miles.

Their announcement on Monday comes after Mr Gething was forced to announce his resignation as First Minister and Welsh Labour leader last week, after four members of his cabinet quit en masse in criticism of his leadership.

No other candidates have announced their intention to run, with Baroness Morgan automatically becoming Welsh Labour leader if that remains the case by Wednesday.

Senedd vote

However, she would not become first minister until she is confirmed in a vote in the Senedd.

If no one else stands, the Welsh Tories have said they will ask for the Welsh Parliament to be recalled from its summer recess to enable Baroness Morgan to take over.

Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies has said this will “give Wales greater stability” arguing the country would be “without a functioning government for months over the summer” if the vote is delayed. The assembly is due to return on September 16.

Baroness Morgan is the Senedd member for Mid and West Wales and a peer in the House of Lords, where she is listed as being on a leave of absence, and was a member of the European Parliament.

In a statement, Baroness Morgan said: “I am proud to stand as a candidate to be the next leader of Welsh Labour, driven by a passion to serve the people and reset the relationship between the Government and the people of Wales.

“I am delighted to be teaming up with my fantastic colleague, Huw Irranca-Davies, who shares my passion and experience in government and strong sense of public duty. Together, we are committed to putting Wales back on track.

“In the coming days, we will set out our priorities to improve public services, create better, greener jobs and empower our communities.

“Our focus will be meaningful change and building a brighter future for communities across Wales.”

If Baroness Morgan succeeds, she will be the first female leader of Wales.

Proud

Mr Irranca-Davies, the MS for Ogmore, said: “I’m proud to be backing Eluned for the next leader of Welsh Labour and first minister of Wales, and I’m honoured to be campaigning alongside her on a joint ticket.

“Eluned has the energy and experience to lead and deliver for the people of Wales and harness the opportunity of working with a new UK Labour Government.

“Working together and with our leadership team, our Welsh Labour movement will keep working to improve people’s daily lives and standing up for a fairer and greener Wales.”

Deputy first minister positions are uncommon in Wales, with the roles having only been given to opposition groups working in coalition with the Labour leadership in the past.

Timetable

Welsh Labour’s ruling body set out a timetable for replacing Mr Gething on Saturday, members having until Wednesday to announce their candidacies.

Candidates must have six nominations to enter.

A new Labour leader will be in place by September 14 and, subject to a vote in the Senedd, will take over as first minister on September 18.

Mr Gething announced last Tuesday that he was standing down just four months after taking on the role.

He has faced a series of rows over a £200,000 donation to his leadership campaign from a company owned by a man twice convicted of environmental offences.

Last month Mr Gething lost a vote of no confidence in the Senedd, after rows over the donation, and his decision to sack Delyn MS Hannah Blythyn as a minister.

Infighting

Responding to the announcement, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “After weeks of infighting – Labour’s focus is squarely on party management rather than on a change of direction for Wales, making a mockery of Starmer’s country before party pledge.

“Labour leaders in Wales of recent past and near future have one thing in common on their CV – an abysmal record of running the NHS which has led to record high waiting lists.

“Being in government is now seen as more important to Labour than knowing what to do with the levers at their disposal.

“If Eluned Morgan becomes the leader of Labour in Wales and should she become First Minister, she will prioritise healing Labour’s wounds rather than renewing the government’s sense of purpose.

“The absence of a policy platform can only mean one thing – more of the same tired ideas and outdated thinking which has led to Wales languishing at the bottom of economic, health and educational league tables after 25 years of Labour in power.

“Regardless of whoever becomes the next leader of Labour in Wales, Plaid Cymru will keep making the case for a fairer, more ambitious future for Wales.”