Carwyn Jones’ bid to replace Rhodri Morgan as the next Leader of Welsh Labour, received a significant and unrivalled boost today, when six out of seven Labour MPs in North Wales, publicly declared their support for his candidacy.
This overwhelming level of support in the north of the country, comes just days ahead of Thursday’s deadline (22nd October) for the submission of supporting nominations by Welsh Labour’s Members of Parliament – a crucial section of the electoral college mechanism that will determine the outcome of the election.
The latest MP declarations are the clearest demonstration yet that Carwyn is attracting the broadest possible spread of geographic support for his campaign, across the length and breadth of Wales – greater than any other of the two candidates combined.
The list of MPs offering endorsements, also contains the names of all three UK Government Ministers from the region.
The six North Wales Labour MPs (in alphabetical order) who are nominating Carwyn are:
- The Rt. Hon David Hanson, MP for Delyn (Minister of State for Security, Counter-Terrorism, Crime and Policing)
- Ian Lucas, MP for Wrexham (Minister for Business and Regulatory Reform)
- Albert Owen, MP for Ynys Môn
- Chris Ruane, MP for Vale of Clwyd (Chair, North Wales Group of Labour MPs)
- Mark Tami, MP for Alyn and Deeside (Government Whip)
- Betty Williams, MP for Conwy
Speaking of his backing for Carwyn to become Leader, the Chair of the North Wales Group of Labour MPs, Chris Ruane said:
“I’m supporting Carwyn because he’ll be the best person to unite the whole of Wales – especially North Wales.
“The fact he has the support of the vast majority of Labour MPs across the whole of North Wales – from Holyhead to Deeside – speaks volumes.”
In offering his endorsement of Carwyn, Albert Owen MP, said:
“I will be supporting Carwyn in the Leadership contest because I think he will be the best placed to express Labour values across the whole of Wales.
“We need to move forward, we need to have broad appeal. We need to look to the electorate at large as well as the electorate of the Labour Party. Carwyn’s got the leadership skills to take us forward and that’s why I’ll be supporting him.”
Commenting on the latest endorsements for Carwyn’s bid to become Leader, his Campaign Manager, Rhondda AM Leighton Andrews said:
“Carwyn’s vision for the future direction of Welsh Labour is resonating with all sections of our Party, and all the regions of our country. Carwyn will be a leader for the whole of Wales. He is building solid and popular support in every corner of Wales and we are certain this momentum is set to continue in the coming days.”
