Ken Skates is likely to become Welsh Labour’s new leader after the party suddenly brought forward the process to formally replace Eluned Morgan.
The process was planned to begin in September, but the party announced on Wednesday evening that Labour’s nine Members of the Senedd (MSs) have seven days from Thursday to say who they support.
Skates, who has been interim leader since May’s Senedd election left his party with nine MSs, said he wanted to “build a new movement from the community up”. No one else is expected to stand.
The timetable is broadly in line with the process to replace Sir Keir Starmer, which is expected to confirm Andy Burnham as the UK’s new prime minister.
Labour had run the Welsh government for 27 years prior to Plaid Cymru taking control, after an election which saw former Labour leader Eluned Morgan lose her seat.
Skates, the MS for Fflint Wrecsam, has previously been interested in standing for the leadership but never formally went for the job.
He was a co-chair for Vaughan Gething’s 2023 leadership campaign, and served as a transport minister in the last Labour government.
He is thought to be in the centre of the party, as compared to the more left-wing stance of former Welsh first minister Mark Drakeford.
Confirming to the BBC that he was standing, Skates said: “I will be seeking nominations from colleagues to be a leadership candidate for Welsh Labour.
“In the short time since the election we have recognised the mistakes that led to our defeat, but also demonstrated why our party is the only one in the Senedd standing up for children, the vulnerable and people who want a better tomorrow.
“As leader of our party I would build a new movement from the community up, a true Labour movement focused on health and wealth for all.”
A senior party source said they did not expect anyone else to stand, and said the group was “united” and “cohesive”.
Huw Thomas, who had previously not ruled out standing for the leadership position, confirmed in a statement that he was giving Skates his “full support”.
The former Cardiff council leader said: “I’ve been genuinely flattered by party members who have encouraged me to consider standing as Welsh Labour leader.
“But having only recently been elected to the Senedd, my focus is on representing the people of Caerdydd Penarth and doing the job they elected me to do.
“This is an important moment for Welsh Labour, and I believe Ken Skates has the experience and ability needed to bring our party together and drive Wales forward.
“Ken understands communities across Wales and has the skills needed to build on Welsh Labour’s record while setting out a positive future for our movement. He has my full support.”
Lynne Neagle, Mike Hedges and Shav Taj also confirmed they are backing Skates.
Taj, MS for Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf, said: “Ken has been a great interim leader and has my full confidence and support going forward.”
Candidates need effectively two MSs to support them to validly stand.
The party had said in June that it would reveal its new leader at the party’s conference in November, with nominations opening in September.
The Welsh executive committee decided to bring the timetable forward. The process for MSs opened the same day as the nomination window for MPs in the UK Labour leadership contest, and closes the day after.
BBC Wales was told that part of the motivation was to bring the MSs nomination process in line with the UK leadership, and could help the party avoid spending the summer speculating about its future.
Welsh Labour says the next steps in the process will be agreed after nominations close.
