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Huw Lewis, the Merthyr and Rhymney AM

HUW Lewis has become the first candidate to formally announce his intention to succeed Rhodri Morgan as Labour’s Welsh leader.

The Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney Assembly Member said at lunchtime that he had secured the six nominations he required from fellow Labour AMs to clear the first selection hurdle.

Lewis said: “Our party stands at a crossroads.  We can plough on in the same direction, a direction that worked for us in the past, or we can take a new departure.  Wales, I believe, demands of us that we take a new departure.  The country needs a radical and bold vision of the future, based on co-operative values.  I have a clear idea of what a better Wales will look like and I want to get on and start building it.

“There is a strong appetite throughout the party for a meaningful debate on how we translate our traditional values into new, modern policies that will win back voters.  There has been an element of drift during the last three elections. I want to put a halt to that.”

The AMs who are backing Lewis include Ann Jones, Joyce Watson, Irene James, Karen Sinclair, and Lynne Neagle, Lewis’ wife. She said: “Now, there are three good candidates to choose from. Carwyn’s easy, affable manner is an attractive quality in the Assembly Chamber; Edwina’s decisive nature as Health Minister has been a valuable asset – but I don’t live with either of them.  I think those things that attracted me to Huw – his intelligence, compassion and fearless nature – will make him a natural leader for Labour and for Wales.”

Lewis says he will spend the coming days setting out a number of ideas and policy initiatives. He will officially launch his leadership campaign from his home village of Aberfan in a week’s time.