The previous Welsh hooker has dominated out standing for the Senedd in Might 2026
Former Welsh rugby star Ken Owens has stated talking on the Welsh Labour convention would have made his grandparents prouder than his taking part in days.
The retired star, who had been rumoured to be standing as a Senedd candidate for Labour, isn’t going to face for election to the Senedd in 2026. He launched the First Minister, Eluned Morgan as a supporter as she went on stage to talk to celebration members on the Welsh Labour convention in Llandudno.
Owens, who comes from a longstanding Welsh Labour-supporting household, stated he first met Eluned Morgan when he was out leafleting for her bid to the European Parliament when he was seven. For our free day by day briefing on the most important points dealing with the nation, signal as much as the Wales Issues e-newsletter right here.
“I’ve achieved a hell of so much in my rugby profession however for my grandparents, I feel this might be a ‘pinch-me’ second, they’d be even prouder I get to talk at Labour celebration convention,” he stated.
“Most of you realize me from the rugby subject, a number of scrums, a number of scars, and various hard-fought wins, and for Labour going to be going by a number of battles over the subsequent couple of years, and we’re in it collectively.
“Being captain is a lot greater than main the crew. It is about carrying a nation, I used to be fortunate sufficient to do this a number of instances on the rugby subject.
“A nation that sings collectively, that backs its personal and believes in group, in graft and can by no means hand over. that is not simply rugby, that is Wales, that is Labour.
“That is why I am right here. I used to be raised in a Labour family, with my grandparents the place I first met Eluned. She would not need me to say this however leafleting as a seven-year-old for her marketing campaign to the European election.
“I grew up listening to about equity, standing up in your group as a result of that is the proper factor to do.
“That what Eluned Morgan will get. She’s grounded, passionate, pushed, she does not simply discuss Wales however fights for it.
“I’ve performed for nice coaches, the perfect leaders know it is about them, it is about constructing perception within the crew, and that is Eluned, that is what she’s doing in Welsh Labour, delivering for folks on the issues that matter most of their lives.
“As a celebration we’re pleased with what we signify,” he stated.
He stated what obtained his rugby groups by powerful instances was “belief, teamwork, realizing who you are taking part in for, not your self, the cap, the dragon, the folks we signify. That is what we’ve got to signify now,” he stated.
“Let’s be sincere, the opposition is combating from the sidelines, however let’s be sincere, none of them are match to guide this crew,” he stated.
In return, the First Minister – who arrived on stage to Do not Cease Me Now, by Queen, stated she remembered assembly his mum and that his grandad was “a Labour legend in Carmarthen”.
“I’ll always remember although – the time once I was canvassing with a beautiful girl in Carmarthen and I used to be telling her with actual delight how I couldn’t keep for greater than an hour’s campaigning as a result of my son, who was 12, was going to be taking part in rugby within the Cardiff Arms Park for his college.
‘”Oh,’ she requested, “is he any good at rugby?’ ‘Properly, he’s alright,’ I stated. ‘Oh, my son performs rugby too,’ “Oh, is he any good?” I requested…’Properly, he’s out taking part in with the Lions in the meanwhile!!” That was Ken’s beautiful mum.”
