Questions to the next First Minister

It's an unusual time in Welsh politics. We're just weeks away from a change at the top which will see a new First Minister in place by Christmas.

Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford, Health Secretary Vaughan Gething and Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning Minister Eluned Morgan have been battling it out in a series of hustings and other events, winning the support or otherwise of members of the Labour party, trade unions and affiliated organisations. Voting in the leadership election begins this Friday (9th November).

So while none of them is yet First Minister and Carwyn Jones continues to field questions from AMs in the Senedd, it's important to know what their views are on some of the issues which have been making the news this week. After all, they'd be expected to answer questions on such matters if they were already in post.

That's why I've asked them what they make of the possible closure of Schaeffler's Llanelli plant, what their thoughts are on the anniversary of Carl Sargeant's death, how they respond to our poll findings and comments about anti-semitism in the Labour party made by Peter Hain.

I've also asked them about a few controversies specific to each of their campaigns. It certainly seems to have become increasingly tense with social media accounts of sharp exchanges at hustings meetings and coded criticism in public statements.

As part of our coverage of the election on ITV Cymru Wales we've already brought the candidates together in a special edition of Sharp End which you can watch in full here. There'll also be extended interviews with each of them in editions of Sharp End beginning Monday 12th November.

And there'll be a special edition of Wales This Week on November 19th in which you'll be able to see them in a different, more personal light.

Schaeffler closure plans

Politicians of all parties reacted with concern to this week's news that the automotive business Schaeffler was planning to close its Llanelli site with the loss of 220 jobs, blaming Brexit-related uncertainty.

But the Labour party came in for criticism too when Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price accused the Welsh government of being 'asleep at the wheel' after the First Minister admitted he'd first heard about the possible closure just before the announcement on Tuesday morning.

Mark Drakeford dismissed that criticism.

Eluned Morgan also thinks it's wrong to use the prospect of job losses for political purposes:

Vaughan Gething, too, rejected the Plaid Cymru leader's comments but recognised that they represented a challenge to Labour.

Poll positions

Our latest Welsh Barometer poll had some gloomy findings for the three candidates, showing that most voters neither have strong opinions about them or even know who they are.

Although their recognition levels are low, according to the poll Eluned Morgan comes ahead of the others as far as Labour voters are concerned which is something she's naturally pleased about.

Vaughan Gething takes from the poll further evidence for his claim that change is what's needed, with the implication that he's the one to offer that change.

Mark Drakeford insists he's not worried by being placed third in the poll saying 'I don't think the poll is to be regarded as reliable in that sort of fine detail.' However he acknowledged that it raises concerns about voter engagement.

Anniversary of Carl Sargeant's death

AMs and Assembly staff along with family and friends have been marking a year since the death of the former minister Carl Sargeant.

Huge questions remain about the circumstances of his death, his sacking by the First Minister and the handling of allegations made against him, questions that may be answered in this month's Coroner's Inquest and a QC-led independent investigation.

Whoever takes over from Carwyn Jones will have to deal with the fallout of those inquiries. Here are the thoughts of the candidates as they and colleagues marked the anniversary.

Labour and antisemitism

Labour's UK leadership has been struggling to cope with criticism of its handling of allegations of anti-semitism levelled against some of its activists.

In comments to the BBCthe former Welsh Secretary Peter Hain was critical of Jeremy Corbyn saying that he should have been tougher dealing with the matter.

Vaughan Gething seems to agree, criticising those in his party who have played down complaints of anti-semitism as being entirely politically-motivated.

Mark Drakeford believes the party has recognised the problem and now has the tools to ensure that complaints are dealt with properly.

Eluned Morgan acknowledges those changes have been made but regrets that it got that far.

Drakeford and the 'burning ambition' question

Mark Drakeford faced criticism after saying in an interview with Wales Online that he had no burning ambition to be First Minister and that he wasn't relishing First Minister's Questions.

I asked him about those accusations:

It's still a comment that worries Vaughan Gething however:

Eluned Morgan also picks up the phrase 'burning ambition' to make a polite criticism of her colleague.

Morgan and renouncing her peerage

Eluned Morgan, who as well as being an AM, sits in the House of Lords as Baroness Morgan of Ely. She's announced that if she becomes First Minister she will renounce her peerage.

However the Assembly is changing its rules so that any peers who become AMs will have to take a leave of absence from the upper house. So is she just announcing that she'll follow the rules? She says her pledge is to do much more than that.

Her competitors think she's doing the right thing.

Gething and the campaign funding question

Vaughan Gething received criticism for some of his funding sources but is strongly defending his campaign funding:

Mark Drakeford is refusing to join in the attacks but says he's confident about his own campaign funding.

Eluned Morgan says she's confident about her campaign funding but also has a plea: