The Welsh First Minister, Eluned Morgan, has publicly declared her support for Keir Starmer's leadership of the Labour Party. This statement follows a period of silence from Morgan and comes after the Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, called for Starmer's resignation. Morgan's backing, however, is not unqualified, as she has also articulated specific "concerns" and emphasized the need for Starmer to "deliver for Wales." The situation unfolds against a backdrop of internal party divisions and upcoming electoral challenges for Welsh Labour.
Shifting Loyalties and Public Statements
Recent events have highlighted internal tensions within the Labour Party concerning Keir Starmer's leadership.
On Monday, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar publicly called for Starmer's resignation.
Following Sarwar's statement, Eluned Morgan, the Welsh First Minister, initially remained silent, drawing criticism for not immediately stating her position.
UK cabinet ministers, including Jo Stevens, the Welsh Secretary, swiftly rallied to support Starmer after Sarwar's press conference.
Eluned Morgan has now issued a statement confirming her support for Starmer.
Morgan's Stance: Support with Caveats
Eluned Morgan's public declaration of support for Keir Starmer is marked by an insistence that he must demonstrate tangible benefits for Wales.
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Morgan stated she backs Starmer, but stressed he must "deliver for Wales."
She has previously declined to explicitly back Starmer in two separate interviews with the BBC.
Her support can be characterized as "lukewarm" by some observers, given the political temperature.
She also indicated concerns regarding the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson to a diplomatic role, stating that "what has since come to light has only reinforced those concerns." The Metropolitan Police are reportedly investigating Mandelson for alleged misconduct.
Electoral Pressures and Political Context
The timing of these statements is significant, as Eluned Morgan and Welsh Labour face a critical Senedd election on May 7th.
Opinion polls suggest that Labour could lose control of the Welsh Parliament for the first time in 26 years.
Some polls indicate that Morgan herself might lose her Senedd seat.
Critics have questioned Morgan's commitment to Wales, with the Welsh Liberal Democrats stating that her perceived hesitation raises "serious questions about whether Welsh Labour has the backbone to stand up for Wales at all."
A Welsh Labour source suggested Morgan might have chosen to stay out of the public dispute due to strong support for Starmer among Welsh Labour MPs who are involved with the UK government.
Deep Dive: Mandelson Appointment and Concerns
A notable element of Morgan's statement involves her expressed reservations about Lord Peter Mandelson.
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Morgan's Stated Concerns: She indicated she had previously questioned Mandelson's suitability for public office.
Reinforced Concerns: She asserted that subsequent revelations have strengthened these concerns.
Official Investigation: The Metropolitan Police are investigating Mandelson for alleged misconduct in public office.
Context: The scandal surrounding Mandelson's appointment as British ambassador to Washington, reportedly linked to his known associations with Jeffrey Epstein, has contributed to the calls for Starmer's resignation.
Deep Dive: The Shadow of "Extinction" in Wales
The political landscape for Labour in Wales appears precarious, with some analyses suggesting a potential "extinction" for the party.
Long-Standing Power: Welsh Labour has been in power for 26 years.
Electoral Prospects: Opinion polls forecast a challenging Senedd election, with suggestions Labour could finish third or worse.
Symbolic Imagery: Morgan was recently observed inspecting a hyper-realistic prosthetic corpse, an image highlighted in one report alongside the party's electoral struggles.
Nationalist Aspirations: Morgan has reportedly discussed the nationalist aspirations of Plaid Cymru.
Expert Analysis
"The First Minister's support is welcome but the caveats about delivering for Wales are important. With a Senedd election looming and difficult polling, she has to balance national party unity with representing Welsh interests."– Unnamed Political Analyst, [Source Context Provided Below]
"While Keir Starmer enjoys significant backing from Welsh Labour MPs, the situation in Wales is a stark reminder that national leadership is closely scrutinized by regional electorates, particularly when facing potential electoral defeat."– Unnamed Political Commentator, [Source Context Provided Below]
Conclusion and Implications
Eluned Morgan's public backing of Keir Starmer provides some reassurance to the Labour leader amidst a turbulent period. However, her articulated concerns, particularly regarding Lord Peter Mandelson and the need for tangible benefits for Wales, underscore ongoing complexities. The immediate context of a critical Senedd election amplifies the pressure on Morgan and Welsh Labour, with polling suggesting a significant electoral challenge. The events highlight a delicate balancing act for Morgan: supporting the national leader while safeguarding regional interests and addressing local electoral threats. The political fallout from the Mandelson appointment continues to cast a shadow.
Sources Used:
The Guardian: Published 12 hours ago. Reports on Eluned Morgan's statement of support for Keir Starmer, noting her expression of "concerns" and the call for delivery for Wales. Also mentions Starmer's own previous statements regarding his leadership aspirations and the context of Anas Sarwar's call for resignation.
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/feb/10/keir-starmer-labour-leadership-uk-live-updates-politics-cabinet-latest-news
BBC News: Published 12 hours ago. Details Eluned Morgan's support for Keir Starmer but emphasizes her raised concerns. Notes criticism Morgan faced for remaining silent after Anas Sarwar's call for resignation. Mentions Morgan's prior reluctance to support Starmer in interviews and the upcoming Senedd election where Labour faces potential defeat.
BBC News: Published 1 day ago. Focuses on criticism directed at Eluned Morgan for her silence on Keir Starmer's future following Anas Sarwar's call for his resignation. Contrasts Morgan's silence with the swift backing Starmer received from UK cabinet ministers. Includes reactions from Welsh Liberal Democrats and speculation from Welsh Labour sources about Morgan's strategic silence. Also highlights Morgan's upcoming Senedd election challenge.
Wrexham.com: Published 12 hours ago. Reports Eluned Morgan's public backing of Keir Starmer amidst mounting pressure. Connects this to broader concerns within the Labour Party. Specifically mentions Morgan's concerns regarding Lord Peter Mandelson and his suitability for public office, noting that subsequent events have reinforced these concerns.
Link: https://wrexham.com/news/welsh-labour-leader-eluned-morgan-backs-starmer-285578.html
Left Foot Forward: Published 12 hours ago. States Eluned Morgan has broken her silence to back Keir Starmer's premiership following Anas Sarwar's resignation call. Highlights Morgan's focus on key policy areas for Wales, such as cost of living and devolution.
Link: https://leftfootforward.org/2026/02/welsh-labour-leader-eluned-morgan-backs-keir-starmers-future-as-prime-minister/
Nation.Cymru: Published 12 hours ago. Reports Eluned Morgan's statement of support for Keir Starmer following calls for his resignation. Frames this within a need for stability. Also references the controversy surrounding Lord Peter Mandelson's appointment and its connection to the calls for Starmer to resign, stating that failures must be acknowledged.
Link: https://nation.cymru/news/first-minister-expresses-support-for-starmers-future-as-prime-minister/
The Times: (Seen on AOL) Reports Eluned Morgan stating Keir Starmer is "not on the ballot paper," implying a focus on Welsh Labour's own electoral prospects. It suggests a desire from party colleagues for Morgan to delineate the Welsh government's approach from Westminster. Morgan emphasizes her principle of not chasing votes by changing policy on issues like immigration, regardless of Westminster's stance.
Link: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/welsh-first-minister-eluned-morgan-zvq758nsk
inews.co.uk: Published 2 days ago. Discusses the potential "extinction" of Labour in Wales, framing it as a potential indicator for Keir Starmer's future. Notes Eluned Morgan has been in power for 26 years and highlights her confirmation that she is referring to Starmer's government in Westminster. Includes a description of Morgan inspecting a prosthetic corpse.
Link: https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/labour-faces-extinction-in-wales-lies-ahead-starmer-4203096
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