Carwyn Jones romps North Wales MPs

Carwyn Jones gets boost in North Wales

AS WEEK three of the Labour leadership election begins, Carwyn Jones has unveiled the support of six out of seven Labour MPs in North Wales, who have publicly declared their support for his candidacy. In a major Monday morning announcement, Carwyn has once more now edged ahead of his competitors in terms of the number of AMs and MPs who have endorsed his campaign.

The six MPs who have now gone on the record are: the Rt Hon David Hanson MP (Delyn); Ian Lucas MP (Wrexham); Albert Owen MP (Ynys Mon); Chris Ruane MP (Vale of Clwyd); Mark Tami MP (Alyn and Deeside); and Betty Williams MP (Conwy). It is interesting to note that the list of MPs offering endorsements also contains the names of all three UK Government Ministers from the region.

Speaking of his backing for Carwyn to become leader, the chair of the North Wales Group of Labour MPs, Chris Ruane said: “I’m supporting Carwyn because he’ll be the best person to unite the whole of Wales – especially North Wales. The fact he has the support of the vast majority of Labour MPs across the whole of North Wales – from Holyhead to Deeside – speaks volumes.”

Chris Ruane MP endorses Carwyn Jones

An endorsement for Carwyn from Chris Ruane MP and Albert Owen MP, is available at: www.youtube.com/carwyn4labour

We reported last Monday that the majority of Labour MPs had not declared their support for any candidate yet, and a week later a third have still not announced – if they do so at all.

As predicted widely, Carwyn Jones has the support of the largest number of MPs so far: the six that have declared this morning plus Chris Bryant MP (Rhondda) and Madeleine Moon MP (Bridgend) gives him eight backers in total.

Huw Lewis has four MPs in support so far: Jessica Morden MP (Newport East), Sian James MP (Swansea East) Martyn Jones MP (Clwyd South), and Dai Havard MP (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney).

Edwina Hart has three Members of Parliament so far declared in her corner: Paul Murphy MP (Torfaen), Don Touhig MP (Islwyn) and Martin Caton MP (Gower).

Two others have indicated they will not endorse – Wales Office Ministers Peter Hain MP (Neath) and Wayne David MP (Caerphilly).

This leaves twelve MPs who have yet to indicate their preferences:

• Nick Ainger – Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire
• Nia Griffith – Llanelli
• Alan Williams – Swansea West
• Hywel Francis – Aberavon
• Kevin Brennan – Cardiff West
• Alun Michael – Cardiff South
• Julie Morgan – Cardiff North
• John Smith – Vale of Glamorgan
• Huw Irranca-Davies – Ogmore
• Ann Clwyd – Cynon Valley
• Kim Howells – Pontypridd
• Paul Flynn – Newport West

This week is likely to see more of them declare before Thursday’s deadline (October 22) for the submission of supporting nominations by Welsh Labour’s Members of Parliament. Since Carwyn currently has eight in support and a majority of those able to endorse would be fourteen, we can expect that at least half the undeclared members are also in the Carwyn camp.