Jeremy Miles officially joins race to succeed Mark Drakeford as Labour leader in Wales

Over half of Labour's members in the Senedd (Welsh parliament) had already backed the education minister for the top job in Welsh politics. Economy minister, Vaughan Gething, announced he was standing to succeed Mark Drakeford last week.

Tomos Evans

Wales reporter

Monday 18 December 2023 15:02, UK

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A second candidate has officially joined the race to succeed Mark Drakeford as leader of Welsh Labour.

Jeremy Miles has served in the government as Wales's education minister for the last two and a half years.

Before that, he was counsel general, the top legal job in the Welsh government.

He joins economy minister Vaughan Gething who threw his hat into the ring on Thursday.

The vacancy came about on Wednesday after the resignation of Mark Drakeford as leader of the Labour Party in Wales.

His replacement - likely to be named first minister after a Senedd vote - will take up the role in March after a ballot of Welsh Labour members.

Announcing his candidacy on Monday, Mr Miles said he was "hugely grateful for the broad support" he had received from across the party.

"I am determined to build on Mark [Drakeford's] legacy and his unquestionable commitment to public service," he said.

"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."

Mr Miles said Wales faced "many challenges ahead" but added that he was "hopeful for the future".

"A Welsh Labour government which I lead will always stand up for Wales," he added.

"I will be setting out a bold, ambitious and exciting vision for Wales's future."

Who's backing who?

Of Labour's 30 Senedd members, who's backing Vaughan Gething and Jeremy Miles for the leadership?

Vaughan Gething: Dawn Bowden, Jayne Bryant, Hefin David, Rebecca Evans, Vikki Howells, Lynne Neagle, Jack Sargeant, Ken Skates, Joyce Watson

Jeremy Miles: Mick Antoniw, Hannah Blythyn, Alun Davies, Huw Irrance Davies, John Griffiths, Lesley Griffiths, Mike Hedges, Julie James, Julie Morgan, Sarah Murphy, Rhianon Passmore, Jenny Rathbone, David Rees, Carolyn Thomas, Lee Waters, Buffy Williams

Over half of the Senedd's Labour members have backed Jeremy Miles for the role, with 16 having declared their support for him.

Vaughan Gething has the support of nine members of the Senedd.

Sky News understands outgoing leader of Welsh Labour, Mark Drakeford, and the party's chief whip, Jane Hutt, will not be backing a candidate.

Only one other Senedd member is yet to declare her support for either candidate.

Health minister Eluned Morgan ruled out standing in the leadership election last week but is yet to publicly back neither Mr Miles nor Mr Gething.

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