A MAJORITY of Welsh Labour Members of the Senedd have declared their support for Jeremy Miles MS to be the party’s next Leader and First Minister of Wales.

Overnight, figures from across the party united behind the Welsh Labour Education and Welsh Language Minister and called on him to stand for the leadership. They are:

Mick Antoniw MS, Welsh Labour Counsel General & Minister for the Constitution & MS for Pontypridd
Julie Morgan MS, Welsh Labour Deputy Minister for Social Services and MS for Cardiff North
Lee Waters MS, Welsh Labour Deputy Minister for Climate Change & MS for Llanelli
Jenny Rathbone MS, Welsh Labour Member Member of the Senedd for Cardiff Central
Carolyn Thomas MS, Welsh Labour Senedd Member for North Wales
Rhianon Passmore MS, Welsh Labour Senedd Member for Islwyn
John Griffiths MS, Welsh Labour Member of the Senedd for Newport East
Mike Hedges MS, Welsh Labour Member of the Senedd for Swansea East

Over the weekend, it was announced that Welsh Labour Deputy Minister for Social Partnership Hannah Blythyn, Bridgend MS and rising star Sarah Murphy, and former Welsh Labour Government Minister Alun Davies were backing Miles.

This means Jeremy Miles now has the support of the majority of Welsh Labour MSs, Welsh Labour Government ministers, and the entire 2021 intake of Welsh Labour Senedd members.

Commenting on the nominations, Julie James MS said:

“We’ve taken the time to talk to each other and really consider who is best for Wales, first and foremost. Senedd members know the huge responsibility we have with our nominations. It is the view of a majority of Welsh Labour Members of the Senedd that Jeremy Miles will be a great leader of the party and a fantastic First Minister of Wales.

“We need someone who will reach out, bring people together, and do the difficult work that will be required to stand up for Wales – particularly with a general election coming. Jeremy has all the qualities needed and more. Which is why it’s no surprise to me that a clear majority of the Senedd group, ministers who work with him in government and the entire 2021 intake of new MSs are backing Jeremy Miles for Wales’ future.”

The calls for Miles to stand are further boosted by the newly declared support of five high-profile parliamentary candidates, who are on course to be elected as Welsh Labour MPs at the General Election. They are:

Kanishka Narayan, Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for the Vale of Glamorgan
Andrew Ranger, Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Wrexham
Claire Hughes, Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Bangor Aberconwy
Gill German, Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Clwyd North
Jackie Jones, Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Ceredigion Preseli and former Wales MEP

Jeremy Miles is expected to make a statement on Monday that would see him formally step into the race to become Welsh Labour Leader and First Minister of Wales.