Welsh Labour leadership: Most party MSs back Jeremy Miles

Education Minister Jeremy Miles has won the backing of most of Welsh Labour's Senedd politicians in the party's leadership contest.

The number of nominations for Mr Miles rose to 16 after eight more Members of the Senedd (MSs) backed him.

Mr Miles, who officially announced his candidacy on Monday, said he was "determined to build" on the legacy of Mark Drakeford.

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething will also be on the ballot.

Mr Gething has the backing of nine other Senedd politicians to become the next first minister.

In an interview on Monday Mr Gething said his experience of being health minister during the pandemic meant he has been "tested in a way" than Mr Miles had not.

There will not be a third candidate on the ballot paper after both Eluned Morgan and Hannah Blythyn ruled themselves out last Friday.

On Wednesday, Mr Drakeford announced he would be standing down as first minister in March, which sparked the race to become the next leader.

Nominations for candidates to succeed him close on Thursday. Hopefuls needed support of five other MSs.

Both Mr Miles and Mr Gething have had enough nominations to get on the membership ballot since last week.

In his first interview on Monday, Mr Gething said he had the "experience and the tried and tested leadership" required to become leader and first minister.

The Cardiff South and Penarth MS said his experience during Covid sets him out. He said that he has "been tested in a way that other leadership contenders have never been tested".

"I've made decisions that have had to make a difference. And I think that experience stands me in good stead for the extraordinary challenges that lie ahead".

At his last leadership campaign in 2018 Mr Gething had backed the M4 relief road, but there is no sign of a repeat this time around.

He said "that ship has sailed", adding: "We just don't have the money".

In a statement confirming his leadership bid, Mr Miles said: "If I think back to when I was growing up, wondering about my place in the world as a young gay man from a working-class family in Pontarddulais, I would never have imagined that one day I would be putting myself forward to lead our great party and our nation.

"I am determined to build on Mark's legacy and his unquestionable commitment to public service. As we look forward to the next quarter century in the journey of devolution, we must set our sights on an ambitious future for Wales, led by Welsh Labour."

On Friday morning his campaign announced Mr Miles had received eight further nominations.

They include Counsel General Mick Antoniw, Julie Morgan and Deputy Minister for Climate Change Lee Waters.

Over the weekend, it was announced that Welsh Labour Deputy Minister for Social Partnership Hannah Blythyn, Bridgend MS Sarah Murphy, and former minister Alun Davies were also backing Mr Miles.

Mr Miles, the MS for Neath, now has the backing of 16 of his fellow MSs - a majority of the Labour Senedd group.

Climate Change Minister Julie James, who is expected to chair Mr Miles's campaign, said: "We need someone who will reach out, bring people together and do the difficult work that will be required to stand up for Wales - particularly with a general election coming. Jeremy has all the qualities needed and more."

Mr Gething has nine backers, including three ministers in the Welsh government - Rebecca Evans, Dawn Bowden and Lynne Neagle.

Only three MSs have not yet backed a candidate. Neither Mr Drakeford nor chief whip Jane Hutt is expected to support anyone, while Ms Morgan is yet to express a preference.

Mr Miles was born and brought up in Pontarddulais in Swansea county and educated at Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera before reading law at Oxford University.

He worked as a solicitor specialising in media law before being elected to the Senedd in 2016.

He was appointed to the cabinet as counsel general in November 2017 and went on to be Brexit minister until he was appointed education minister in 2021.

The ballot of Labour members will open on 16 February and close on 14 March.

The new Welsh Labour leader, who will become the next first minister, will be announced on 16 March.

The new leader is expected to be installed some time around 19 March.