First Minister of Wales, Vaughan Gething, poses for a photograph at the National Assembly for Wales in Cardiff, Britain, on May 8, 2024. REUTERS/Francesca Jones
July 20, 2024 Story by: Editor
Labour is set to face weeks of political deadlock in Wales after Vaughan Gething resigned as first minister following a turbulent four months marked by infighting and scandal. A replacement isn’t expected until the autumn.
Gething’s tenure has been marred by controversies, including issues with donations and accusations of attempting to delete sensitive messages, since he succeeded Mark Drakeford as first minister and Welsh Labour leader in March.
Despite losing a vote of confidence in the Senedd in June, Gething initially refused to step down. However, he was ultimately forced out on Tuesday after four ministers resigned from his government.
In a letter, Jeremy Miles, the economy secretary who narrowly lost to Gething in the race to succeed Drakeford, urged Gething to resign for the sake of the party and Welsh devolution. “We cannot continue like this,” Miles wrote.
Gething, the first Black leader of a European country, defended himself against what he described as “pernicious, politically motivated and patently untrue” claims. “In 11 years as a minister, I have never made a decision for personal gain,” he stated. “I have never misused or abused my ministerial responsibilities. My integrity matters. I have not compromised it. I regret that the burden of proof is no longer an important commodity in the language of our politics. I do hope that can change.”
Labour is now searching for its third leader this year. While some Welsh Labour figures hope for a unity candidate, Gething’s bitter reaction to being ousted suggests a tough leadership battle ahead.
The Welsh party’s executive has yet to agree on a formal timetable for the succession race, but Gething hopes his replacement will be in place by autumn. In the meantime, he will remain as first minister and Welsh Labour leader.
The ministers who resigned – including Julie James, the housing and local government secretary, Lesley Griffiths, the culture and social justice secretary, and counsel general Mick Antoniw – argued that Gething could not provide stable government after Plaid Cymru ended its cooperation agreement with him in May. This move left Gething’s government without a majority, as Labour holds 30 of the 60 Senedd seats. The split followed Gething’s refusal to return a £200,000 donation for his leadership campaign from a company whose owner was convicted of environmental crimes.
Plaid Cymru also expressed concerns about Gething’s dismissal of minister Hannah Blythyn, who he accused of leaking information suggesting he had advocated deleting Covid-related messages. Blythyn denied the allegation.
In a statement to the Senedd on Tuesday, Gething staunchly defended his record. When asked by Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies if he believed Labour could continue to deliver its mandate, Gething replied, “Of course.”
He added, “I am proud of my record and all the things I have done before coming here and since coming here in 11 years of being a minister. I am sad that today sees the start of that process coming to an end, but I remain full of optimism about what this place could do, and about what Welsh Labour leadership can provide to my country and all the people who are proud to call Wales their home.”
Gething’s anger at being forced out—evidenced by his refusal to shake Davies’ hand—adds to the internal strife within a party that has governed Wales for nearly 23 years. Drakeford served as first minister for five years before voluntarily stepping down at age 71, a year after his wife’s death.
The national Labour party is under significant pressure to select a new leader swiftly and harmoniously, with some insiders hoping for a unity candidate. While the rules for the succession contest have not been confirmed, they are expected to be similar to those in place when Gething defeated Miles. Contenders will need nominations from at least six Labour Senedd members (20% of the total), or 10% plus a certain number of constituency parties or unions, before being put to a vote by Welsh Labour members.
Opposition parties are seeking to capitalize on the turmoil, with Plaid Cymru calling for a snap Senedd election. Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth stated, “Labour has put party interests ahead of the interests of the nation for too long. The people of Wales must be given the opportunity to elect a new government and an election must be called.”
Davies said the Conservatives did not support a snap election, given a poll is due in May 2026, but he sought to link the controversy to Keir Starmer, under whose leadership Labour won 27 of the 32 Welsh seats in this month’s Westminster elections. “Vaughan Gething’s resignation is long overdue,” Davies said. “But there can be no doubt that his Labour colleagues, from those who resigned today all the way up to Keir Starmer, have stood by his side, and are culpable for the breakdown in governance in Wales. Wales will remember.”
In a brief statement, Starmer said Gething should “take enormous pride in being the first black leader of any country in Europe,” but he accepted the first minister’s decision to step down for the good of Wales.
Drakeford expressed support for Gething’s decision. “I think the first minister has said everything that needs to be said today,” he told Sky News. “It’s a very sad day, of course, for him personally, but I believe he has done the right thing for his party and his country.” Source: The GuardianGething staunchly defended his record. When asked by Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies if he believed Labour could continue to deliver its mandate, Gething replied, “Of course.”
He added, “I am proud of my record and all the things I have done before coming here and since coming here in 11 years of being a minister. I am sad that today sees the start of that process coming to an end, but I remain full of optimism about what this place could do, and about what Welsh Labour leadership can provide to my country and all the people who are proud to call Wales their home.”
Gething’s anger at being forced out—evidenced by his refusal to shake Davies’ hand—adds to the internal strife within a party that has governed Wales for nearly 23 years. Drakeford served as first minister for five years before voluntarily stepping down at age 71, a year after his wife’s death.
The national Labour party is under significant pressure to select a new leader swiftly and harmoniously, with some insiders hoping for a unity candidate. While the rules for the succession contest have not been confirmed, they are expected to be similar to those in place when Gething defeated Miles. Contenders will need nominations from at least six Labour Senedd members (20% of the total), or 10% plus a certain number of constituency parties or unions, before being put to a vote by Welsh Labour members.
Opposition parties are seeking to capitalize on the turmoil, with Plaid Cymru calling for a snap Senedd election. Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth stated, “Labour has put party interests ahead of the interests of the nation for too long. The people of Wales must be given the opportunity to elect a new government and an election must be called.”
Davies said the Conservatives did not support a snap election, given a poll is due in May 2026, but he sought to link the controversy to Keir Starmer, under whose leadership Labour won 27 of the 32 Welsh seats in this month’s Westminster elections. “Vaughan Gething’s resignation is long overdue,” Davies said. “But there can be no doubt that his Labour colleagues, from those who resigned today all the way up to Keir Starmer, have stood by his side, and are culpable for the breakdown in governance in Wales. Wales will remember.”
In a brief statement, Starmer said Gething should “take enormous pride in being the first black leader of any country in Europe,” but he accepted the first minister’s decision to step down for the good of Wales.
Drakeford expressed support for Gething’s decision. “I think the first minister has said everything that needs to be said today,” he told Sky News. “It’s a very sad day, of course, for him personally, but I believe he has done the right thing for his party and his country.” Source: The Guardian
