Eluned Morgan (Image: PA Images / Alamy)
Last Updated: 4 minutes ago
Eluned Morgan has declared she puts country before party – every time – in a fiery final exchange at First Minister’s Questions ahead of the Senedd election in May.
The clash came as Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth accused Labour of prioritising party loyalty over the interests of Welsh voters, arguing the country is desperate for a change of direction after more than two decades of Labour-led government in Cardiff Bay.
Mr ap Iorwerth acknowledged it would be simple to rehash familiar criticisms of Labour’s record on health, education and the economy, but said the excuses had grown tired.
He said: “The First Minister often talks of experience in government, but longevity isn’t the same as delivery.”
The Plaid leader, who hopes to succeed Baroness Morgan as First Minister after the election, claimed Welsh voters are “crying out for new leadership” and accused Labour of putting “party before country”.
Lady Morgan hit back forcefully, insisting her loyalty lies firmly with the Welsh public.
She said: “When it comes to country and party, I have been clear, I have been clear before, and I will be clear again – country over party, every single time for me.
“When it comes to choice, I will always side with the people of Wales, I will always make sure that I stand up for the people who need protection.
“You put constitutional issues above protecting the people of Wales, people are clocking that, and we know, and they know, that that is just a first stop on the road to separatism.
“What you want is a constitutional fight, what we need, what we need is a government that is serious, serious times deserve and need serious politicians.”
The exchange took place against the backdrop of opinion polls suggesting Labour’s long hold on power in Wales could be under threat. Baroness Morgan has previously sought to create distance between Welsh Labour and Sir Keir Starmer’s UK Government, though she backed the Prime Minister when he faced calls for his resignation and the pair appeared together during his visit to south Wales last month.
