If I think back to when I was growing up, wondering about my place in the world as a young gay man from a working-class family in Pontarddulais, I would never have imagined that one day I would be putting myself forward to lead our great party and our nation.
In recent days, party members, from all parts of Wales, Cabinet and Senedd colleagues, MPs, councillors, peers, trade unionists, and many others in our movement have expressed their support for me to lead our party. I am hugely grateful.
In answer to these calls, I’m standing to become Welsh Labour’s next leader, and to be First Minister of Wales.
I am determined to build on Mark’s legacy and his unquestionable commitment to public service. As we look forward to the next quarter century in the journey of devolution, we must set our sights on an ambitious future for Wales, led by Welsh Labour.
The Tories’ attack on public services, austerity and their mismanagement of our economy, means things have been incredibly difficult for people across our country. We face many challenges ahead – but I am hopeful for the future.
A Labour victory at the next general election is crucial for that more positive future. A UK Labour Government led by Keir Starmer, working with our Welsh Labour Government, can achieve so much more for Wales. Together, we will end the cycle of Tory crises that has worn down so many. We must do all we can to ensure a Labour win; we owe it to our country.
And be in no doubt, a Welsh Labour Government which I lead, will always stand up for Wales.
I will set out a bold, ambitious and exciting vision for Wales’ future. I hope you will join me in making that vision a reality.
Jeremy Miles, MS
I want a Wales where we can all live well, where our next generation inherits prosperity, and grows up in a just, inclusive, greener country where we all feel at home. Our public services, our economy and our wider society should give us all a fair chance to fulfil our potential and live the life we want. No one should be left behind.
I am deeply proud of how Welsh Labour has shaped Wales. I will build on these foundations with a commitment to prosperity and solidarity. Together we will achieve both greater equality and more wealth to share. Wales will be a nation where young, brilliant people want to come to live, work and raise families, and where citizens of all ages live in dignity and respect. Wales will look outwards confidently, celebrating the richness of its heritage and the diversity of its communities.
The nation I want to lead is one where everyone has a chance to prosper.
Read my manifesto
Jeremy Miles was born and brought up in a working-class family in Pontarddulais near Swansea.
At the age of 17, Jeremy joined the Labour Party and has been a life-long activist and campaigner for social justice and equality ever since.
As a Welsh speaker, Jeremy was educated at a bilingual comprehensive school, Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera in the Swansea Valley. He graduated from New College, Oxford, where he read law. After graduating, he taught law at the Centre for English Legal Studies at Warsaw University.
Jeremy returned to the UK and practised as a solicitor, and then held senior legal and commercial posts in media sector businesses including ITV and with the US television network and film studio, NBC Universal. After returning to live in South Wales, he set up his own business affairs consultancy, working with international clients in the broadcast and digital sectors.
In 2016, he was elected to represent Neath in the Senedd, and was one of the first openly gay MSs elected.
In November 2017, Jeremy joined Carwyn Jones’ government as Counsel General for Wales. In March 2018, he introduced draft legislation that would create a codified statute book of Welsh law. In 2019, he led for the Welsh Government in taking legislation through the Senedd which for the first time introduced votes for 16-year-olds in Senedd elections.
As Minister for European Transition, Jeremy led the co-ordination of the Welsh Government’s response to the UK’s departure from the European Union. During the Covid pandemic, he was tasked with leading the Welsh Government’s post-Covid planning.
In 2021, Mark Drakeford appointed Jeremy to be Minister for Education and Welsh Language. Since then, he’s introduced a policy of universal free school meals for primary school children, new rules for cheaper school uniforms, and has brought in the first increase to Education Maintenance Allowance in 20 years, to address cost-of-living pressures. He has pushed the idea of Wales as “a nation of second chances, where “it’s never too late to learn” with a renewed focus on lifelong learning. He is leading the introduction of a new curriculum in Wales’ schools.
As Welsh Language Minister, he advocates a policy of “Welsh belongs to us all”, encouraging everyone to use whatever Welsh they can as often as they can, regardless of fluency or confidence.
He is a Co-operative Party MS and a member of GMB, Unison and Unite trade unions.
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