Mark Drakeford resigns: Welsh Labour leadership election for a new FM

Mark Drakeford has announced his intention to resign as Welsh Labour leader and first minister of Wales.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-67702232

He has now served for the five years he declared he intended to serve for, and a successor will be in place by Easter.

Welsh Labour leadership declared canddiates
Vaughan Gething, minister for economy

(edited 4 months ago)

Reply 1

Saracen's Fez

The election process for a new Welsh Labour leader is now underway. The Senedd will then need to confirm this individual as first minister when Drakeford formally resigns that post. (This should be a formality given the co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru.)

The two leading candidates are Vaughan Gething, the economy minister who came second to Drakeford in 2018's leadership election, and education minister Jeremy Miles. It is anyone's guess who of those is more likely to win.

Eluned Morgan, the health minister, has ruled herself out of the race, and so the other candidate likely to join the race is Hannah Blythyn, the deputy minister for social partnership. While not of the Labour left, she is seen as the candidate closest to the left and with strong union links, as well as the most likely way of avoiding an all-male ballot.

There's a profile of the candidates here.

Candidates need either the nomination of 6 MSes to appear on the ballot, or 3 MSes plus 3 constituency Labour parties or 3 party affiliates (i.e. trade unions). So far Vaughan Gething is the only declared candidate.

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Latest

Articles for you

Your five university application choices: how to make your mind up

Edexcel A-Level Economics Paper 1 - Unofficial Mark Scheme - 18 May 2023

How to revise for GCSE Design Technology exams: AQA explains what to do

How to revise for A-level Biology exams: AQA explains what to do