A senior and much-respected Welsh Labour figure, has today given her full support to Carwyn Jones to succeed Rhodri Morgan as the next Leader of Welsh Labour.
Sue Essex, Labour’s Finance Minister in the Welsh Assembly Government until she stood down in May 2007 as the AM for Cardiff North, has added her voice to those supporting Carwyn Jones in his leadership bid.
Ms. Essex, who is regarded as a political ‘heavyweight’ within the Party in Wales and recognised as a close political ally of Rhodri Morgan, declared her backing for Mr. Jones, saying: “I worked alongside Carwyn for many years and saw at first hand during the foot and mouth crisis, his judgement, courage and leadership on behalf of Wales at a very difficult time.
“No one can replace Rhodri, but Carwyn shares the same values and many of the same character traits essential for a modern leader, such as the ability to communicate well, work with others, listen to people and take tough decisions in a fair and considered way.
“It’s vital to the Labour Party in Wales that we stay united and strong. Rhodri achieved this though his leadership and I believe Carwyn is in the same mould. Someone who unites not divides.
“I think it is worth remembering that at the last Assembly election, Carwyn was the only Labour member to increase his majority. It would be good to see Carwyn as First Minister being able to translate his local popularity to the whole of Wales”
