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Hart campaign gets a significant boost from Westminster as nominations close
On the day that Assembly Members' nominations close for the Welsh Labour leadership contest, Edwina Hart has the greatest level of support from colleagues in the Assembly's Labour group and she also has the backing of two senior figures at Westminster, Paul Murphy and Don Touhig, as well as Martin Caton the MP for Gower..
In the Assembly she has been nominated by nine other AMs: Finance Minister Andrew Davies; Education Minister Jane Hutt; Deputy Social Services Minister Gwenda Thomas; Deputy Presiding Officer Rosemary Butler; Val Lloyd; Jeff Cuthbert; Janice Gregory; Sandy Mewies; Christine Chapman.
In a video endorsement on former Secretary of State for Wales, the Rt Hon Paul Murphy MP said:
"I'm supporting Edwina Hart. When I was Secretary of State for Wales for nearly five years in total Edwina worked very well with me. She had a very good relationship with Government Ministers. She is an excellent minister herself and she has a excellent background in the Labour movement."
Mr Murphy who is the MP for Torfaen added:
"I think Edwina will do a great job in attacking our political opponents. That's why i'm backing Edwina Hart to become our leader in Wales."
Don Touhig who is a former Welsh Minister publically backed Edwina Hart as the best person for the Party and Wales, saying on the video:
"Why am I supporting Edwina Hart? Well, Edwina Hart makes things happen. She gets things done."
"When I was Welsh minister I worked closely with her and I found with Edwina that she would take on any challenge, meet any obstacle in order to deliver the best for the people of Wales."
"That's what Wales needs. That's what the Labour Party needs."
Edwina Hart said she was enormously encouraged by the level of support which she now has.
"Paul and Don have shown that when it comes to relationships with Westminster I have a lot to offer. I am delighted that they have underlined this in such a positive way.
"As for my Assembly colleagues I now have ten votes in the electoral college, and this shows that I have worked effectively with the party in Wales - and can continue to do so.
"Andrew Davies, Jane Hutt and Rosemary Butler were all in the original Labour cabinet with me in 1999, and all of them intend to stand again in the next Assembly elections. Most of my other supporters are also planning to stand again, so if I am successful there will be continuity in Cardiff Bay."
12 October 2009
