Cardiff (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Vaughan Gething announces resignation as Wales’ First Minister and Welsh Labour leader, citing untenable position and plans for leadership transition.
Why is Vaughan Gething resigning as First Minister?
Vaughan Gething has revealed he is leaving as first minister of Wales following a short and turbulent term in the job after his fate was locked by the resignation of four members of his cabinet. Gething has encountered a series of controversies, including over assistance and claims he aimed to delete sensitive messages since he took over from Mark Drakeford as first minister and the leader of Welsh Labour in March.
Reacting to the news, Plaid Cymru called for a snap Senedd election, while the Welsh Conservatives stated Keir Starmer was “culpable for the breakdown in governance in Wales” for having supported the first minister.
Starmer stated Gething should “take enormous pride in being the first black leader of any country in Europe”, but that he accepted the first minister’s conclusion that it was best for Wales that he step down.
What controversies surrounded Vaughan Gething’s tenure?
Gething failed a vote of confidence in the Senedd in June but declined to quit. His hand was forced, however, after four ministers left the Welsh government on Tuesday, all of them demanding Gething to stand down, saying his position was untenable.
Among these was Jeremy Miles, the economy secretary, who lost slightly to Gething in the race to succeed Drakeford. While he has the potential to be one of the choices to take over, Welsh Labour insiders stated there might be a push to find an alternative unity candidate.
How did Vaughan Gething respond to calls for resignation?
In a statement later on Tuesday, Gething noted: “I have this morning taken the difficult decision to begin the process of stepping down as leader of the Welsh Labour Party and, as a result, first minister. “Having been elected as leader of my party in March, I had hoped that over the summer a period of reflection, rebuilding and renewal could take place under my leadership. I recognise now that this is not possible.”
How did Vaughan Gething address accusations against him?
After thanking those who backed him, Gething hit out at his detractors. “A growing assertion that some kind of wrongdoing has taken place has been pernicious, politically motivated and patently untrue,” he said. “In 11 years as a minister, I have never decided for personal gain. I have never misused or abused my ministerial responsibilities.”
His statement also revealed that he felt he had been targeted in part because of his ethnicity, as he stated: “To those in Wales who look like me, many of whom I know feel personally hurt and worried by this moment, I know that our country can be better. I know that cannot happen without us.” Gething stated he would set out a timetable for the election of the new leader of the Welsh Labour Party.
Later on Tuesday, Gething spoke in person to the Senedd and took part in the first minister’s questions.
What reasons did Welsh Conservatives give for Gething’s resignation?
The Welsh Conservative leader, Andrew RT Davies, described the Senedd that Gething declined to shake his hand when it was presented this morning, and asked the first minister what led to his resignation. “I am very clear about my integrity,” he stated. “I am very clear about the reality that today has meant that it’s not possible to carry on to be the first minister,” Davies asked him if he thought Labour could continue to provide its mandate in the Senedd.
“Of course,” Gething stated. “I am proud of my record and all the things I have accomplished before coming here and since coming here in 11 years of being a minister. I am sorry that today sees the start of that process coming to an end, but I remain full of positivity about what this place could do, and about what Welsh Labour leadership can deliver to my country and all the people who are proud to call Wales their home.”