Vaughan Gething confirms he will stand in race to be next leader of Welsh Labour and First Minister

The race to replace Mark Drakeford as Welsh Labour leader and First Minister has begun.

One of the likely candidates has already launched his campaign while two cabinet heavyweights have ruled themselves out of the contest and thrown their weight behind another of their colleagues.

Vaughan Gething, the Economy Minister, came second to Mark Drakeford in the last contest in 2018.

He’s become the first candidate to formally announce the start of his campaign.

He’s been supported already by three other ministers, Rebecca Evans, Lynne Neagle and Dawn Bowden, and four backbenchers, Hefin David, Joyce Watson, Vikki Howells and Jayne Bryant.

That means he’s easily passed the threshold for being on the ballot paper.

In a statement released on his X account, formerly Twitter, Mr Gething said he is "deeply honoured to have such strong support from right across the party".

Meanwhile two of the most senior Welsh Government cabinet ministers have both ruled themselves out and supported another contender.

Climate Change minister, Julie James, and Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths, both say they want the Education Minister Jeremy Miles in the top job.

It follows the announcement from Mark Drakeford that he will stand down as Welsh Labour leader and First Minister of Wales in March 2024.

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