Eluned Morgan likely to become Wales’ first female leader

Ms Morgan says she has the “strong endorsement” from the majority of the group of 30 Welsh Labour Senedd members, with former first minister Mark Drakeford as a backer.

At least 19 Labour MSs are thought to be supporting her.

At a press conference at the Royal Welsh Show on Monday, Ms Morgan said the party had to learn lessons from the recent turmoil that led to the resignation of Vaughan Gething, and vowed to restore the relationship between the public and Welsh Labour.

She said neither herself or Rural Affairs Secretary Huw Irranca-Davies “belong to any faction in the party, we haven’t picked sides”.

“We do belong to the great Welsh Labour radical tradition, which has shaped our party and the country since the start of devolution,” she said.

“If elected as the next Welsh Labour leader, it’s clear – we need to learn lessons from recent weeks.”

She said it was “high time” Wales had a female leader.

In response to criticism of her handling of the Welsh NHS, Ms Morgan said the “majority of people” had an excellent service.

“But we know there’s work to be done and we will be redoubling our efforts in that space certainly if I’m elected leader,” she added.