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Edwina Hart backed in leader bid Edwina Hart backed in leader bid
(30 minutes later)
The Health Minister for Wales Edwina Hart has been urged to stand for First Minister when Rhodri Morgan stands down.The Health Minister for Wales Edwina Hart has been urged to stand for First Minister when Rhodri Morgan stands down.
Andrew Davies, the Finance Minster, has ruled himself out of the running but has publicly backed Ms Hart to win.Andrew Davies, the Finance Minster, has ruled himself out of the running but has publicly backed Ms Hart to win.
BBC Wales' political editor Betsan Powys said Mr Davies' support was a signal Ms Hart will stand but she has not formally declared her plans yet.BBC Wales' political editor Betsan Powys said Mr Davies' support was a signal Ms Hart will stand but she has not formally declared her plans yet.
AMs Carwyn Jones and Huw Lewis have already indicated they would stand.AMs Carwyn Jones and Huw Lewis have already indicated they would stand.
Mr Morgan is widely expected to announce he is standing down as leader of the Labour Group in the assembly at next weekend's party conference in Brighton, triggering a leadership contest.Mr Morgan is widely expected to announce he is standing down as leader of the Labour Group in the assembly at next weekend's party conference in Brighton, triggering a leadership contest.
Each person needs to secure six nominations from their fellow AMs to be able to stand in the leadership race.Each person needs to secure six nominations from their fellow AMs to be able to stand in the leadership race.
Starting gunStarting gun
The BBC's Betsan Powys said Mr Davies' intervention, the first by a senior figure in the party, signals the starting gun for what is likely to be a hard-fought contest between Ms Hart and Mr Jones.The BBC's Betsan Powys said Mr Davies' intervention, the first by a senior figure in the party, signals the starting gun for what is likely to be a hard-fought contest between Ms Hart and Mr Jones.
Mr Davies, the AM for Swansea West, has been a minister since the Welsh Assembly's inception in 1999 and his backing could be key to Ms Hart securing the top job.Mr Davies, the AM for Swansea West, has been a minister since the Welsh Assembly's inception in 1999 and his backing could be key to Ms Hart securing the top job.
The likelihood of Ms Hart standing will also deal a blow to the candidacy of the Merthyr AM Huw Lewis, said the BBC correspondent.The likelihood of Ms Hart standing will also deal a blow to the candidacy of the Merthyr AM Huw Lewis, said the BBC correspondent.
She explained that it is thought he has six confirmed backers among assembly members and one or more of them may now be tempted to defect to the Health Minister, leaving him short of the number needed to enter the contest.She explained that it is thought he has six confirmed backers among assembly members and one or more of them may now be tempted to defect to the Health Minister, leaving him short of the number needed to enter the contest.
Ms Hart, was first elected as Gower's AM in 1999. She served as Minister for Finance and Local Government from 2000 to 2003. She was then appointed the Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration (2003-2007).Ms Hart, was first elected as Gower's AM in 1999. She served as Minister for Finance and Local Government from 2000 to 2003. She was then appointed the Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration (2003-2007).
She became Health Minister in May 2007.She became Health Minister in May 2007.