Eluned Morgan likely to become Wales’ first female leader

Eluned Morgan looks set to become the next leader of Welsh Labour and become Wales’ first female first minister.

A leadership contest is looking unlikely with no other politicians expected to stand, and a large majority of Senedd members supporting her, including former first minister Mark Drakeford.

On Tuesday one of the individuals who had been considering standing, Transport Secretary Ken Skates, said he was backing Eluned Morgan.

The deadline for Welsh Labour leadership entries is 12:00 BST on Wednesday, and as things stand she would be elected unopposed.

The health secretary said she was standing on a “joint unity ticket” with Huw Irranca-Davies, who would serve as her deputy first minister.

Ms Morgan said she had the “strong endorsement” from the majority of the group of 30 Welsh Labour Senedd members.

At least 23 Labour MSs of the group of 30 are known to be supporting her.

Ken Skates, who was one of Mr Gething’s most significant allies having been his co-chair during his leadership campaign, joined Ms Morgan’s supporters on Tuesday.

The MS for Clwyd South had been considering putting his hat in the ring, but BBC Wales was told that he was seen as too close to the soon-to-be-former first minister to make a bid of his own.

Llanelli MS Lee Waters is not expected to support Ms Morgan. It is not known what Hannah Blythyn, Lesley Griffiths or Rhianon Passmore plan to do.

The intentions of first minister and chief whip Vaughan Gething and Jane Hutt have not been confirmed but the chief whip did not nominate anyone in the last contest, as neither did Mark Drakeford when he was still first minister.

At a press conference at the Royal Welsh Show on Monday, Ms Morgan said the party had to learn lessons from the recent turmoil that led to the resignation of Vaughan Gething, and vowed to restore the relationship between the public and Welsh Labour.

She said neither herself or Rural Affairs Secretary Huw Irranca-Davies “belong to any faction in the party, we haven’t picked sides”.

“We do belong to the great Welsh Labour radical tradition, which has shaped our party and the country since the start of devolution,” she said.

“If elected as the next Welsh Labour leader, it’s clear – we need to learn lessons from recent weeks.”

She said it was “high time” Wales had a female leader.

In response to criticism of her handling of the Welsh NHS, Ms Morgan said the “majority of people” had an excellent service.

“But we know there’s work to be done and we will be redoubling our efforts in that space certainly if I’m elected leader,” she added.

Vaughan Gething was forced to resign last week after three ministers and his chief legal adviser quit at the same time.

He had faced months of controversy over campaign donations, and had lost a vote of confidence during the general election campaign.

Former First Minister Mark Drakeford said Ms Morgan would be a “great campaigning leader” would be “working in partnership with our UK Labour government”.

If Ms Morgan is confirmed as the only candidate and the new leader, it is likely that Mr Gething will stand down much earlier than the original plan of September.

Before they become first minister, the new Welsh Labour leader would need to be confirmed in a vote of the Senedd, which is in summer recess.

BBC Wales was told discussions are taking place on recalling the Senedd between the first minister’s office, Welsh Labour and the Senedd’s presiding officer Elin Jones.

The Welsh government can request a recall of the Senedd from the presiding officer if it believes one is required. It is understood such a request would be granted if it was made.

The Welsh Conservatives have called for a recall of the Senedd to go ahead while Plaid Cymru said the only way to restore stability to Wales is to have a Senedd election.