Would be First Minister Jeremy Miles has launched a broadside at his rival for the position after a row over union backing. Mr Miles suggested Vaughan Gething should have called out what he called an “unfair” process which saw the Unite union give him its suppprt.
Education Minister Mr Miles and his rival to replace Mark Drakeford, economy minister Vaughan Gething, were interviewed by the Welsh political committee of Unite the Union. But before the vote for which would get Unite’s nomination, Mr Miles was declared ineligible because he had never been a lay official of the union - something he said he was only told after taking part in the union’s nomination process - you can read more details about that here.
Asked about the “stitch up”, Mr Miles told this morning’s BBC Radio Wales Sunday Supplement programme: “From my point of view you start a process on one basis and it’s changed mid way through. It’s important that people in positions of public prominence have a responsibility to call this out.
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“Union members are entitled to know people they employ are following the rules. But there’s a bigger point really. Why on earth would you want to elect a leader who is not prepared to call this out?
“In a number of our institutions in Wales there are challenges at the moment and a candidate who is prepared to be honest about these challenges and tackle them is what people, I think, need.” For the latest analysis of the biggest stories, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
Mr Miles then went on to say he was confident of winning anyway. He said he had clear pledges and means to deliver them. “Unions are entitled to construct the rules for their nominations and support for candidates in the way they like. The point I am making is that those rules need to be fairly applied and those of us in positions of public prominence need to be clear when that’s not the case.
“At the end of the day this election is going to be won based on votes cast by Labour party membes and members of affiliated trade unions. I believe the margins by which I am winning, when members are actually asked their opinions, tells me very clearly I am likely to win.
“But out to one side, the point I am making is that a process began in one basis was changed mid way through and that’s not fair”. He went on: “If you look at the suppport which I have received the people who work closest to both candidates are absolutely clear that I would make make the best leader. They are looking for the values ands ability to lead.
”By a big majority they are choosing me, that’s isn’t about personality that's about my values and my priorities as a minister now and they appreciate and support the way I work and the commitments I have made in my pledges.”
Asked whether it was now an election for First Minister based on personality rather than politics, Mr Miles insisted it was not. He said he was on the centre left, but it was up to Mr Gething to state where his position in the party was. Get the best user experience with WalesOnline’s Premium app on Apple or Android
If he won the election Mr Miles said he believed he would have a good relationship with Keir Starmer as First Minister. Asked about Unite's change of process, Mr Gething told BBC Wales on Friday: "It's up to each union to decide on its own rules and process. I am not here to attack any trade union at all. I want to lead the Welsh Labour party through this contest and beyond.
"I am not going to get drawn into a different debate. I don't see anything to comment on other than to say I am delighted to get the support of six of our trade unions including five of the largest affiliated to the Labour party."
