Lord Neil Kinnock has declared he is backing Vaughan Gething to become Wales’ next First Minister.
Vaughan Gething and Jeremy Miles are the two candidates to replace Mark Drakeford as Wales’ First Minister – when he steps down this Spring.
Lord Kinnock was the Leader of the Labour Party from 1983 to 1992 and served as the MP for Islwyn from 1970 to 1995.
Writing for The Mirror, Kinnock says Gething has the “qualities and values to stand against Toryism” and has a “driving sense of service to Wales”.
Former Labour leader endorses Vaughan Gething to lead country
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“All leaders need values to guide them; vision that gives them a clear, practical purpose; common sense and resilience so they are realistic and firm - especially in tough times. Vaughan has those attributes in full - they are deep-rooted and, crucially, proven under pressure as, together with Mark, Vaughan led Wales through the Covid-19 pandemic in his previous role as Health Minister.
He was tested under the spotlight of our biggest public health emergency for a century and the biggest crisis Britain has experienced since the Second World War. Vaughan’s qualities and values stem from his democratic socialism, his long history of trade unionism and his strong character.”
“They all enable him to stand relentlessly against Toryism and to have a driving sense of service to Wales and all of its communities.”
Lord Kinnock is the biggest endorsement of either candidate so far. Gething served as Wales’ health minister during the Covid pandemic and took over as the Economy Minister in 2021. Kinnock praised Gething’s time in office.
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Former leader of the Labour party Neil KinnockGETTY“I’ve seen him in action as a minister who constantly strives for investment for public services and good, well-paid new jobs as we green our economy.
“He’s dynamic, authentic and determined – as we’ve seen as he fights for steel jobs across Wales.
“Those are the qualities needed to lead our Labour movement and Wales as we prepare for the most important UK general election for a generation - a real opportunity to finally oust the Tories after 14, long, painful years.
“Vaughan is the right candidate to spearhead that fight in Wales and help Keir Starmer become Prime Minister. That’s why members in Islwyn, the community I proudly represented are backing Vaughan.”
The winning candidate who will succeed Mark Drakeford will be in four weeks time on March 16.