MPs back Carwyn in race for Welsh Labour leadership; He gets six of party's seven in N.Wales.

Byline: TOM BODDEN

THE overwhelming majority of North Wales Labour MPs have declared support for Carwyn Jones as the next leader of the party in Wales.

Six of the seven MPs in the region have now thrown their weight behind the Bridgend AM and counsel general to replace Rhodri Morgan when he steps down in December.

With the majority of AMs split between Mr Jones and health minister Edwina Hart, he now appears to have a significant hold on one of the three sections in the ballot.

The Jones campaign argues this demonstrates he is attracting the broadest spread of geographic support of the three contenders, including Mrs Hart and Merthyr AM Huw Lewis.

The list of MPs offering endorsements Carwyn Jones AM today includes three UK Government post holders from the region: Delyn MP and security minister David Hanson; Wrexham MP and business minister Ian Lucas; Alyn and Deeside MP and Government Whip Mark Tami; Vale of Clwyd MP and chair of the North Wales Labour Group Chris Ruane; Ynys Mn MP Albert Owen, and Betty Williams, MP for Conwy.

Ms Williams said: "Of the three, Carwyn is the only bilingual candidate and I think that's extremely important to be able to communicate Labour's message to every corner of Wales. "He has also been committed to devolution and his support among MPs shows he can be a bridge between Cardiff and Westminster.

"He has firm and capable hands and I would put him in the same mould as Gordon Brown."

Mr Ruane said: "I think Carwyn can bring unity across Wales, between north and south, town and country, and Welsh speaking and non Welsh speaking and he has the support of the majority of Welsh Labour MPs. He is a big personality.

"The fact he has the support of the vast majority of Labour MPs across the whole of North Wales - from Holyhead to Deeside - speaks volumes."

Campaign manager Rhondda AM Leighton Andrews said: "Carwyn will be a leader for the whole of Wales.

"He is building solid and popular support in every corner of Wales and this momentum is set to continue in the coming days."

Officials of Wales' largest union Unite have endorsed former chair of Wales TUC Edwina Hart, while Mr Jones secured the supporting nomination from Unison.

Ms Hart said: "I've worked very closely with Unite for many years both as a minister and as a trade unionist and I am very grateful for this vote of confidence. I promised Unite I will be the strong voice for Wales, and I will deliver on that promise."

The health minister was the first female president of banking union BIFU.

CAPTION(S):

Carwyn Jones AM