'Labour needs a leader in Wales who can help Keir Starmer win general election'

14 February 2024 , 16:00

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Neil Kinnock is backing Vaughan Gething in the Welsh Labour leadership race (Image: PA)

In just a few weeks, Welsh Labour will choose who will become the party’s most powerful elected politician in the UK.

Vaughan Gething, the Economy Minister, is running to become the new leader of our party and the new First Minister of Wales, as Mark Drakeford stands down after five and a half years at the helm.

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.

Vaughan Gething is currently the Welsh Government's Economy Minister (John Myers)

They all enable him to stand relentlessly against Toryism and to have a driving sense of service to Wales and all of its communities.

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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.

That’s why I am backing Vaughan to become Welsh Labour leader and First Minister of Wales.

Neil Kinnock