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Eluned Morgan looks set to become the next leader of Welsh Labour and become Wales\u2019 first female first minister.<\/p>\n
She wants to replace Vaughan Gething and a leadership contest is looking unlikely with no other Senedd politicians expected to stand.<\/p>\n
The health secretary said she is standing on a “joint unity ticket” with Huw Irranca-Davies, who would serve as her deputy first minister.<\/a><\/p>\n The deadline for Welsh Labour leadership entries is 12:00 BST on Wednesday, and as things stand she will be elected unopposed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Ms Morgan says she has the \u201cstrong endorsement\u201d from the majority of the group of 30 Welsh Labour Senedd members, with former first minister Mark Drakeford as a backer.<\/p>\n At least 19 Labour MSs are thought to be supporting her.<\/p>\n At a press conference at the Royal Welsh Show on Monday, Ms Morgan said the party had to learn lessons from the recent turmoil that led to the resignation of Vaughan Gething<\/a>, and vowed to restore the relationship between the public and Welsh Labour.<\/p>\n She said neither herself or Rural Affairs Secretary Huw Irranca-Davies “belong to any faction in the party, we haven’t picked sides”.<\/p>\n “We do belong to the great Welsh Labour radical tradition, which has shaped our party and the country since the start of devolution,” she said.<\/p>\n “If elected as the next Welsh Labour leader, it’s clear – we need to learn lessons from recent weeks.”<\/p>\n She said it was “high time” Wales had a female leader.<\/p>\n In response to criticism of her handling of the Welsh NHS, Ms Morgan said the “majority of people” had an excellent service.<\/p>\n “But we know there’s work to be done and we will be redoubling our efforts in that space certainly if I’m elected leader,” she added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Vaughan Gething was forced to resign<\/a> last week after three ministers and his chief legal adviser quit at the same time.<\/p>\n