Hart declares support of three MPs – including former Secretary of State

EDWINA HART’s campaign for the Labour leadership received a significant boost this lunchtime with confirmation that three MPs are supporting her in the race to become Welsh Labour leader.

Paul Murphy, the MP for Torfaen has, in the emerging style of the Hart campaign, added an endorsement video to her website:

The well-respected former Secretary of State is perhaps the most significant endorsement given to Edwina Hart so far. He explained his support in characteristically personal terms: “I’m supporting Edwina Hart. When I was Secretary of State for Wales for nearly five years in total Edwina worked very well with me. She had a very good relationship with Government Ministers. She is an excellent minister herself and she has a excellent background in the Labour movement.”

He is joined in supporting Mrs Hart by Don Touhig, the Member of Parliament for Islwyn, a former Minister and one of the most well know Labour MPs.

Don Touhig too offered a warm personal endorsement: “Why am I supporting Edwina Hart? Well, Edwina Hart makes things happen. She gets things done.”

As indicated earlier today on The Hearth, Martin Caton MP, who represents the Gower, alongside Mrs Hart has also committed his support.

It is no coincidence the Hart campaign has timed this announcement to coincide with the close of AM nominations for Labour leader. Once more, the stakes have been upped in terms of which of the three camps can deliver prominent endorsements quickly. As we predicted just hours ago, the second race is on – and one candidate has just sprinted off from the starting line. But can she keep it up?