Next Welsh Labour leadership election

The next Welsh Labour leadership election is an expected election within Welsh Labour. Current leader Mark Drakeford was elected in December 2018 on a pledge to serve five years, this means a contest could occur in late 2023 or possibly in 2024. The next scheduled Senedd election is due on or before 7 May 2026.

Next Welsh Labour leadership election
Incumbent Leader

Mark Drakeford


Background

In July 2020, Drakeford said around his 70th birthday (in September 2024) would "be time for somebody else to have a chance to do this job."[1]

In December 2022, Drakeford stated that he expected to leave his role in 2024.[2]

In January 2023, The Guardian reported that Drakeford "expects to step down in the second half of this Senedd term, which began in 2021 and runs until 2026" with Drakeford himself stating that “We’re nowhere near halfway through this term yet. The time will come when this is the right thing to do.”[3]

In January 2023, Will Hayward, Welsh Affairs Editor at WalesOnline predicted that a new leader would be in place by the end of 2023.[4]

On 9 August 2023 Drakeford said he will leave the Welsh parliament at the next election but refused to be drawn on what point before 2026 he would quit as first minister.[5] In October 2023 Drakeford confirmed he would stand down "...some time in the next calendar year" but again refused to be drawn on exactly when.[6]

Nominations

Under the current rules in order to become a candidate, individuals required 20% of current Labour MSs to nominate them. This equated to six, including themselves.[7]

Possible Candidates
Potential Candidates
 
Candidate Rebecca Evans Vaughan Gething
 
Candidate Jeremy Miles Eluned Morgan

The following have been touted as potential candidates:[8][9][10]

Senedd member for Gower since 2016 and Mid and West Wales between 2011 and 2016. Current Finance and Local Government Minister and former Leader of the Senedd.

Senedd member for Cardiff South and Penarth since 2011, former Health Minister (2016–2021) and current Economy Minister (since 2021). Finished second in the 2018 contest.

Senedd member for Neath since 2016, former Counsel General for Wales (2017–2021) and current Education Minister (since 2021).

Senedd member for Mid and West Wales since 2016, Former MEP (1994–2009) and current Minister for Health and Social Services (since 2021). Finished third in the 2018 contest.

References
  1. "Mark Drakeford 'will not serve whole Senedd term'". BBC News. 19 July 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  2. Hayward, Will (26 December 2022). "The Mark Drakeford interview as First Minister confirms he intends to stand down in 2024". WalesOnline. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  3. Morris, Steven (1 January 2023). "Welsh Labour is readying for snap general election, says Mark Drakeford". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  4. Hayward, Will. "Neither Mark Drakeford or Adam Price will be leading their parties by the end of the year". WalesOnline. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  5. "Mark Drakeford to quit Senedd at next election". BBC News. 9 August 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  6. "Labour: Drakeford makes case for party being bold in power". BBC News. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  7. Blake, Aled (4 November 2017). "Welsh Labour agrees new leadership election rules". Wales Online. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  8. "Three in the race to become next First Minister says top Welsh politics academic". Nation.Cymru. 5 January 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  9. "The cabinet ministers who are favourites to succeed Mark Drakeford". Wales Online. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  10. Carter, Chris. "Drakeford's final act: budget warfare and the search for a successor". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
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