Welsh Labour leader Eluned Morgan backs Starmer
Welsh Labour leader and First Minister Eluned Morgan has publicly backed Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as he faces mounting pressure within the Labour Party following a series of senior resignations and growing criticism over his leadership.
In a statement issued on Tuesday morning, Morgan said she supported the Prime Minister “in the job he was elected to do”, citing the need for stability after years of political upheaval at Westminster.
“I support the Prime Minister in the job he was elected to do,” she said. “After years of revolving-door leadership under the Conservatives, the country needs stability in an age of instability, and that matters for Wales.”
Morgan said leadership required upholding standards and acting when they fall short, but stressed that her judgement of any Prime Minister would ultimately be based on delivery for Wales.
“Ultimately, I judge any Prime Minister by a simple test: whether they deliver for Wales,” she said.
“I have been clear with Keir about what Wales needs. Action on the cost of living, investment in our economy and infrastructure, and a continued commitment to stronger devolution.”
She added that her priority remained leading Wales.
“My focus remains on leading Wales with integrity and delivering real change for people here,” she said.
Morgan also addressed concerns surrounding former UK ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson, saying she had previously questioned his suitability for public office.
“I had concerns that Peter Mandelson was incompatible with public office because of the company he kept. What has since come to light has only reinforced those concerns,” she said.
“These issues are deeply troubling not least because, once again, the voices of women and girls were ignored.
“That failure must be acknowledged and confronted honestly.”
The Prime Minister’s position has come under strain following a sequence of events linked to the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the United States.
Mandelson was appointed to the role in December 2024 and was removed nine months later following renewed scrutiny of his past associations with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Pressure intensified after the US Department of Justice released further Epstein-related files, prompting fresh political criticism in the UK. The Metropolitan Police is now investigating Mandelson over alleged misconduct in public office. Mandelson has said he has not acted criminally and denies any wrongdoing.
In the days that followed, Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, who had been closely associated with Mandelson’s appointment, resigned. His departure was followed shortly afterwards by the resignation of the Prime Minister’s communications director, further weakening Starmer’s senior leadership team.
The situation escalated when the leader of Scottish Labour, Anas Sarwar, publicly called on Starmer to step aside, saying the UK Labour government had become a political liability in Scotland ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections in May.
Starmer has rejected calls to resign, telling Labour MPs he is “not prepared to walk away”, while senior cabinet ministers have publicly expressed their support for him.
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