Voting is now open to decide the Co-operative Party nominee for the Welsh Labour Leadership!
You can find the bi-lingual statements from each of the candidates below.
Voting is for one candidate only. You have until 12 noon on 24th January to vote in this ballot.
If you have any questions about the voting process or need help with filling out your ballot paper, please contact Joel Northcott at j.northcott@party.coop
Vaughan Gething MS, candidate for Welsh Labour Leader & First Minister
As a Co-operator for more than two decades as well as being a Labour and Co-operative Member of the Senedd, Co-operative values have guided me before and through my time in the Senedd. They inform my choices as a Government Minister and they would continue to guide me as your First Minister.
I believe I am the candidate with the strongest track record of supporting co-operatives and mutuals throughout my career. This track record shows that I am the candidate who will do the most for our movement, and place co-operative values at the heart of Wales’ future.
When I was elected to the Senedd one of my first roles was being the Chair of the Co-operative and Mutuals Group. I made the case for cooperatives in social care and rail services from the backbenches. I have been a consistent advocate for the greater role of co-ops and mutuals in financial services, retail and the wider economy.
I have taken my long-standing commitment to the co-operative movement into government with me, first as Deputy Minister for Tackling Poverty, then Deputy Minister for Health, before then carrying it through into my time as Health Minister and now as Economy Minister.
When Social Business Wales lost its European funding because of Brexit, I stepped in to save its important work. Even with a reducing departmental budget I chose to support the co-operative movement with funding to ensure the service could continue and help grow this sector of our economy.
When we were deciding how to support our Foundational Economy, I made sure that public money went to co-operatives and social enterprise. I am a strong supporter of the foundational economy concept, and I have taken that forward in my role as Economy Minister. I have helped to create new local jobs and worked with Eluned Morgan to create more social value in NHS spend. I continue to support measures to build Community Wealth.
When I was deciding my economic priorities, I pledged to double the number of co-operatives in Wales. I am very pleased to report that this target has nearly been reached, and that we will reach it with years to spare. That demonstrates the value of cooperative commitment in action.
As the Minister who will have led the work and found the resources to help double the number of co-operative businesses in Wales, you can trust me to continue to deliver for our movement.
And I want to go even further.
As a member of the Wales Co-operative Party, I wanted to let you know first - my manifesto will contain a pledge to double the number of co-operatives again.
It will also contain a pledge to increase the amount of money from the public purse that goes to co-operatives and social enterprises.
My track record of delivery means you can trust me to deliver on my pledge to continue driving forward the priorities of the co-operative movement in Wales.
I have spent my career supporting my fellow Co-operators, our values, and our policies – and with your continued solidarity and support, we can continue co-operating at the highest level.
Diolch.
Vaughan Gething AS, ymgeisydd ar gyfer Arweinydd Llafur Cymru a Phrif Weinidog Cymru
A minnau’n Gydweithredwr am dros ddau ddegawd, ac yn Aelod o’r Senedd dros y Blaid Lafur a’r Blaid Gydweithredol, mae gwerthoedd cydweithredol wedi fy arwain cyn ac yn ystod fy nghyfnod yn y Senedd. Maen nhw’n dylanwadu ar fy newisiadau fel Gweinidog yn y Llywodraeth a byddent yn parhau i fy arwain fel eich Prif Weinidog.
Rwy’n credu mai fi yw’r ymgeisydd â’r hanes mwyaf cadarn o gefnogi busnesau cydweithredol a chydfuddiannol drwy gydol fy ngyrfa. Mae’r hanes hwn yn dangos mai fi yw’r ymgeisydd a fydd yn cyflawni fwyaf dros ein hymgyrch, ac yn rhoi gwerthoedd cydweithredol wrth galon dyfodol Cymru.
Pan gefais fy ethol i’r Senedd, un o fy rolau cyntaf oedd Cadeirydd y Grŵp Cydweithredol a Chydfuddiannol. Fe wnes i bledio achos busnesau cydweithredol ym meysydd gofal cymdeithasol a gwasanaethau trên o’r meinciau cefn. Rwyf wedi eirioli’n barhaus dros roi rôl fwy i fusnesau cydweithredol a chydfuddiannol ym meysydd gwasanaethau ariannol, manwerthu a’r economi ehangach.
Mae fy ymrwymiad parhaus i’r ymgyrch gydweithredol wedi aros gyda fi yn y llywodraeth, yn gyntaf fel y Dirprwy Weinidog Trechu Tlodi, yna’r Dirprwy Weinidog Iechyd, a drwy gydol fy nghyfnod fel y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gweinidog yr Economi bellach.
Pan gollodd Busnes Cymdeithasol Cymru ei gyllid Ewropeaidd o ganlyniad i Brexit, fe wnes i gamu i’r adwy i achub ei waith pwysig. Hyd yn oed gyda chyllideb adrannol is, fe wnes i ddewis cefnogi’r ymgyrch gydweithredol gyda chyllid i wneud yn siŵr bod y gwasanaeth yn gallu parhau ac i helpu i dyfu’r sector hwn yn ein heconomi.
Pan oedden ni’n penderfynu sut i gefnogi ein Heconomi Sylfaenol, fe wnes i sicrhau bod arian cyhoeddus yn cael ei ddyrannu i fusnesau cydweithredol a mentrau cymdeithasol. Rwy’n gefnogwr cryf o gysyniad yr economi sylfaenol ac wedi ei ddatblygu yn fy rôl fel Gweinidog yr Economi. Rwyf wedi helpu i greu swyddi lleol newydd ac wedi gweithio gydag Eluned Morgan i greu rhagor o werth cymdeithasol yng ngwariant y GIG. Rwyf yn parhau i gefnogi mesurau i adeiladu Cyfoeth Cymunedol.
Pan oeddwn yn penderfynu ar fy mlaenoriaethau economaidd, fe wnes i addo dyblu nifer y busnesau cydweithredol yng Nghymru. Rwy’n falch iawn o ddweud ein bod bron wedi cyrraedd y targed hwn, ac y byddwn yn ei gyrraedd flynyddoedd o flaen llaw. Mae hynny’n dangos gwerth ymrwymiad cydweithredol yn ymarferol.
Fel y Gweinidog a fydd wedi arwain y gwaith a dod o hyd i’r adnoddau i helpu i ddyblu nifer y busnesau cydweithredol yng Nghymru, fe allwch chi ymddiried ynof i barhau i gyflawni dros ein hymgyrch.
Ond rwyf am wneud mwy.
Fel aelod o Blaid Gydweithredol Cymru, roeddwn i am i chi fod y cyntaf i wybod y bydd fy maniffesto yn cynnwys addewid i ddyblu nifer y busnesau cydweithredol eto.
Bydd hefyd yn cynnwys addewid i roi rhagor o arian o bwrs y wlad i fusnesau cydweithredol a mentrau cymdeithasol.
Mae fy hanes cryf o gyflawni yn golygu eich bod yn gallu ymddiried ynof i gadw at fy ngair i barhau i weithredu ar flaenoriaethau’r ymgyrch gydweithredol yng Nghymru.
Rwyf wedi treulio fy ngyrfa yn cefnogi Cydweithredwyr eraill, ein gwerthoedd a’n polisïau – a gyda’ch undod a’ch cefnogaeth barhaus, gallwn barhau i gydweithredu ar y lefel uchaf.
Jeremy Miles MS, candidate for Welsh Labour Leader & First Minister
I am a proud co-operator, a member of the Co-operative party since 2010 and been proud to have served in the Senedd as a Welsh Labour and Co-op MS since 2016. Before entering government, I chaired the Co-operative group of Labour MSs, and I am delighted to have been nominated for the leadership by the current chair, Huw Irranca-Davies MS, and by the clear majority of Labour and Co-op MSs in the Senedd.
A Welsh Labour that I lead will always promote the values of the co-operative movement and preserve our deep and special bond with the Co-operative party. As First Minister, I would build on Mark Drakeford’s record and put co-operative working and solutions at the core of the Welsh Labour Government’s agenda.
As Education Minister, I have worked with co-operative colleagues to make this a reality. I introduced the Robert Owen programme to promote awareness and understanding of co-operatives in schools across Wales. The project educates learners on the role of co-operatives in the Welsh economy, and includes teaching materials sharing the vision and values of the co-operative movement across areas including social action, environmental principles and fair work. It complements the work that I have also undertaken with the Wales TUC and my colleague Hannah Blythyn MS to introduce a ‘Unions and the World of Work’ programme in Welsh schools so young people understand the benefits of collective action and trade unions.
As Welsh Language Minister, I have put co-operatives at the heart of the solution to the housing pressures that are felt in many of our Welsh language heartlands. I have made grants available through Cwmpas to allow community groups to set-up or support co-operatives, social enterprises, and community-led housing projects. As always, it is local communities who best understand their needs, and it has been exciting to see new, innovative co-operatives making a difference across Wales.
I am committed to supporting and advancing the essential role that the Co-operative party plays alongside Welsh Labour; this includes continuing to be an active part of our policymaking process as we prepare our next manifesto.
In my campaign manifesto, you will see my priorities will encompass employee ownership, community wealth initiatives and co-operative housing, as well as an extention of the Robert Owen programme.
The enlarged Senedd in 2026 is an opportunity to increase the number of co-operators in our national parliament. We as Co-op members are determined that the Co-operative party’s unique identity is preserved under the new system, and I will ensure the government explores all avenues to make this a reality.
As we look forward to the next quarter century of devolution, we know that Wales will face challenges, including the changing nature of the economy and the world of work. As Welsh Labour leader and First Minister, I would be committed to working with the co-operative movement as it continues to advance solutions to those challenges, and opportunities that benefit the whole nation.
Jeremy Miles AS, ymgeisydd ar gyfer Arweinydd Llafur Cymru a Phrif Weinidog Cymru
Rwy’n gydweithredwr balch, yn aelod o’r blaid Gydweithredol ers 2010 ac yn falch o fod wedi gwasanaethu yn y Senedd fel Aelod Seneddol Llafur a Chydweithredol ers 2016. Cyn ymuno â’r llywodraeth, bûm yn cadeirio’r grŵp Cydweithredol y Senedd, ac rwyf wrth fy modd fy mod wedi cael fy enwebu ar gyfer yr arweinyddiaeth gan y cadeirydd presennol, Huw Irranca-Davies AS, a chan y mwyafrif clir o Aelodau Seneddol Llafur a Chydweithredol y Senedd.
Bydd Llafur Cymru yr wyf yn ei harwain bob amser yn hyrwyddo gwerthoedd y mudiad cydweithredol ac yn cadw ein cwlwmcysylltiad dwfn ac arbennig gyda’r Blaid Gydweithredol. Fel Prif Weinidog, byddwn yn adeiladu ar record Mark Drakeford ac yn rhoi gweithio ac atebion cydweithredol wrth graidd agenda Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru.
Fel Gweinidog Addysg, rwyf wedi gweithio gyda chydweithwyr cydweithredol i wireddu hyn. Cyflwynais raglen Robert Owen i hybu ymwybyddiaeth a dealltwriaeth o fentrau cydweithredol mewn ysgolion ledled Cymru. Mae’r prosiect yn addysgu dysgwyr ar rôl cyrff cydweithredol yn economi Cymru, ac mae’n cynnwys deunyddiau addysgu sy’n rhannu gweledigaeth a gwerthoedd y mudiad cydweithredol ar draws meysydd gan gynnwys gweithredu cymdeithasol, egwyddorion amgylcheddol a gwaith teg. Mae’n ategu’r gwaith yr wyf hefyd wedi’i wneud gyda TUC Cymru a’m cyd-Aelod Hannah Blythyn AS i gyflwyno rhaglen ‘Undebau a’r Byd Gwaith’ yn ysgolion Cymru fel bod pobl ifanc yn deall manteision gweithredu ar y cyd ac undebau llafur.
Fel Gweinidog y Gymraeg, rwyf wedi rhoi mentrau cydweithredol wrth galon yr ateb i’r pwysau tai a deimlir yn llawer o’n cadarnleoedd Cymraeg. Rwyf wedi sicrhau bod grantiau ar gael drwy Cwmpas i ganiatáu i grwpiau cymunedol sefydlu neu gefnogi mentrau cydweithredol, mentrau cymdeithasol, a phrosiectau tai cymunedol. Fel bob amser, cymunedau lleol sy’n deall eu hanghenion orau, ac mae wedi bod yn gyffrous gweld cwmnïau cydweithredol newydd, arlyn gwneud gwahaniaeth ledled Cymru.
Rwyf wedi ymrwymo i gefnogi a hyrwyddo’r rôl hanfodol y mae’r Blaid Gydweithredol yn ei chwarae ochr yn ochr â Llafur Cymru; mae hyn yn cynnwys parhau i fod yn rhan weithredol o'n proses llunio polisi wrth i ni baratoi ein maniffesto nesaf.
Ym maniffesto fy ymgyrch, fe welwch y bydd fy mlaenoriaethau yn cwmpasu perchnogaeth gweithwyr, mentrau cyfoeth cymunedol a thai cydweithredol, yn ogystal ag ehangu rhaglen Robert Owen.
Mae’r Senedd ehangach yn 2026 yn gyfle i gynyddu nifer y cydweithredwyr yn ein senedd genedlaethol. Rydym ni fel aelodau’r Co-op yn benderfynol bod hunaniaeth unigryw’r Blaid Gydweithredol yn cael ei chadw o dan y system newydd, a byddaf yn sicrhau bod y llywodraeth yn archwilio pob llwybr i wireddu hyn.
Wrth inni edrych ymlaen at y chwarter canrif nesaf o ddatganoli, gwyddom y bydd Cymru yn wynebu heriau, gan gynnwys natur newidiol yr economi a byd gwaith. Fel arweinydd Llafur Cymru a Phrif Weinidog Cymru, byddwn wedi ymrwymo i weithio gyda’r mudiad cydweithredol wrth iddo barhau i ddatblygu atebion i’r heriau hynny, a chyfleoedd sydd o fudd i’r genedl gyfan.
Promoted by Joe Fortune on behalf of the Co-operative Party, both at Unit 13, 83 Crampton Street, London, SE17 3BQ, United Kingdom.Co-operative Party Limited is a registered Society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. Registered no. 30027R
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