FM won’t quit after losing vote of no confidence

Source: PBS

June 5, 2024 Story by: Editor

First Minister Vaughan Gething has firmly stated he will not resign after losing a vote of no confidence due to the absence of two Labour members who were ill. During one of the most dramatic debates in the 25-year history of Welsh devolution, 29 Senedd members voted for the resolution, while 27 opposed it.

Despite the result, the parliament's rules do not mandate Mr. Gething's resignation. He told reporters, "I'm going to carry on doing my duty." Opposition parties have demanded his resignation, with Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth claiming that senior Welsh government figures wanted the vote to proceed.

The Conservatives initiated the Senedd vote due to donations made to Mr. Gething’s leadership campaign by a company owned by a man previously convicted of environmental offenses. The Welsh Parliament comprises 60 members, with Labour holding 30 seats, the Tories 16, Plaid Cymru 13, and one Liberal Democrat. The Labour absences were former social partnership minister Hannah Blythyn and ex-transport minister Lee Waters, both of whom were ill.

Mr. Gething, after ruling out resignation, announced plans to travel to Normandy for D-Day commemoration events. He characterized the no confidence vote as a "desperate gimmick" from the Conservatives amid the general election campaign, stating, "Months and months of innuendo are damaging and hurtful."

Welsh Conservative Senedd group leader Andrew RT Davies asserted that Mr. Gething had "lost the confidence of the people of Wales," adding, "The only person who is still batting for Vaughan Gething is Keir Starmer ." Rhun ap Iorwerth echoed this sentiment, saying the Senedd had "spoken on behalf of the people of Wales - we have no confidence in the Labour first minister." He also stated, “His government is clearly in disarray and as such is unable to face the significant challenges ahead for Wales."

Jane Dodds , Welsh Liberal Democrat leader and the party's sole Senedd member, added, "Any attempts of holding onto power would go against the established norms of our parliamentary democracy."

Mr. Gething succeeded Mark Drakeford as Wales’ first minister in March, defeating Jeremy Miles in a Welsh Labour leadership contest. Since then, he has faced criticism over the donations, Covid-era text messages, and the sacking of a minister for allegedly leaking information to the media, which she denies. This situation poses a challenge for the UK Labour Party in Westminster, less than a month before a general election.

During the debate, Mr. Gething became emotional as Labour members defended him, later expressing regret over a motion "designed to question my integrity.” He said, "Like so many of you in this chamber, I have dedicated my adult life to public services and to Wales. Even in the midst of an election campaign, it does hurt deeply when my intentions are questioned." He emphasized that he would "not shy away from scrutiny and challenge" and mentioned that people of color, including himself, have been vilified for raising concerns about the debates' handling. "I will continue to put Wales first, first in thought, deed and ambition, as I serve and lead my country," he added.

Opening the debate, Mr. Davies dismissed Labour accusations that the no confidence motion was a "gimmick," stating, "This is a motion put down in opposition time that might well not be binding, but will send a significant message on the transparency, the honesty and the judgement call of the first minister since he assumed office. That is not a gimmick."

Mr. Ap Iorwerth criticized Mr. Gething's "lack of judgement, and contrition, along with a bunker mentality," arguing that these traits do not demonstrate the required skill set for the office of first minister. In contrast, Vikki Howells , Cynon Valley, chair of the Labour Senedd group, accused the Conservatives of trying to distract from their own failures during the general election campaign, asserting, "Vaughan Gething is the democratically elected leader of Welsh Labour. Welsh Labour is the democratically elected party of government. I believe it would be a travesty if this non-binding Tory gimmick of a motion was to be used to subvert democracy."

The absence of Hannah Blythyn and Lee Waters from the vote was notable, given their personal history with Mr. Gething. Ms. Blythyn has not been seen in the Senedd since being sacked for allegedly leaking text messages to Nation.Cymru, a charge she denies. Mr. Waters has been critical of Mr. Gething's receipt of £200,000 from a controversial waste company , publicly criticizing him in the Senedd in May. Neither politician has commented on the vote.

UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer downplayed the importance of the no confidence vote, stating, "I think it's really important to see this for what it is. It's game-playing by the Conservatives, with Plaid playing along as well. I think people in Wales want him to deliver for them. He wants to get on to deliver for the people of Wales." Source: BBC