- Gething resigns amid leadership criticism
- Lost confidence vote, cabinet ministers resigned
- Calls for new election intensify
Vaughan Gething has resigned as First Minister of Wales just four months after being elected, following widespread criticism of his leadership.
Vaughan Gething has announced his resignation as Welsh First Minister after four cabinet members resigned in protest of his leadership.
In a statement issued Tuesday morning, Mr Gething stated that he had “taken the difficult decision to begin the process of stepping down”. He will now consider a schedule for his successor’s election.
Mr Gething lost a vote of no confidence last month after a disagreement over his decision to remove one of his ministers and questions about funds he received while competing for Welsh Labour leader. This caused Labour’s Senedd cooperation deal with Plaid Cymru to collapse.
Mr Gething, elected only in March, said he hoped “over the summer, a period of reflection, rebuilding, and renewal could take place under my leadership.”
I realize now that this is not conceivable, he said.
Even though I’ve only been here for a few months, it’s been the most incredible honour of my life.
Mr Gething denied any misconduct, saying: “My integrity is essential. I haven’t compromised it.
I regret that the burden of proof is no longer an essential commodity in our political discourse.
He stated that criticism of his leadership had created a “difficult time” for him and his family.
He described a growing claim that misconduct has occurred as insidious, politically motivated, and demonstrably false.
In my 11 years as a minister, I have never made a decision just for personal advantage, and I have never exploited or abused my ministerial responsibilities.
Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister and Labour leader, stated that Mr Gething made the “difficult decision” because he believes it is the best decision for Wales.
Call for a hasty election.
On the other hand, Welsh Conservatives leader Andrew RT Davies claimed that Labour politicians “all the way up to Keir Starmer” were “culpable for the breakdown of governance in Wales”.
He described Mr Gething’s resignation as “long overdue,” adding that there is little question that his Labour colleagues, from those who resigned today to Keir Starmer, have stuck by him and are responsible for the breakdown in Welsh administration.
“Wales will remember.”
Plaid Cymru’s leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, called for a fast election rather than allowing Labour to appoint another first minister through the “revolving door of chaos.
He stated: “For far too long, Labour has prioritized party interests before national interests.
The Welsh people must be allowed to vote for a new government, and an election must be held.
Gething’s leadership is beset by scandal.
Wales has a devolved government, and the next election to the Senedd is not scheduled until 2026.
Mr Gething’s leadership breakdown came after Labour cabinet ministers Mick Antoniw, Julie James, Lesley Griffiths, and Jeremy Miles all resigned, informing the first minister they couldn’t do their jobs “without you standing down.”
In March, Mr Gething made history by becoming the first black leader in any European country, succeeding Mark Drakeford as First Minister of Wales.
However, concerns over a £200,000 payment to his Labour leadership campaign followed him from the minute he took office. At the same time, a disagreement over a leaked phone call led to the firing of one of his ministers. Plaid Cymru’s loss of support for his administration exacerbated the perception of disarray.
The donation came from the Dauson Environmental Group, controlled by David Neal, who was previously convicted of environmental violations.
Critics argued that Mr Gething’s leadership campaign should not have accepted the money. Still, the first minister insisted that the payment was within the rules and was announced according to party tradition.
He declined requests for an investigation into the donation, instead commissioning a broader review of political contributions.
Mr Gething was also chastised for dismissing social partnership minister Hannah Blythyn for allegedly leaking messages about the COVID-19 epidemic.
The news website Nation. Cymru has disputed that she was the source of the hacked conversations, which show Mr Gething threatening to erase all correspondence from an iMessage group of Welsh ministers.
This resulted in the collapse of a cooperation agreement between his party and Plaid Cymru, which was required to pass legislation. He later lost a non-binding vote of no confidence in the Senedd (Welsh parliament) by 29-27.
Mr Gething called the motion a “gimmick” and claimed that opposing parties had refused to participate in a pairing arrangement to balance the votes of two ill Labour members.
However, the resignations of four ministers today have put his position in additional jeopardy.
Four ministers resigned.
Mr Miles, who resigned as economy secretary, addressed Mr Gething: “The events of the last several months, especially your loss of confidence vote in the Senedd, have been challenging.
“Invest in your future with Webull UK – get started with free shares.”
We must begin repairing the damage as soon as possible, and I regret to inform you that this cannot be accomplished under your leadership.
Ms James, who resigned as housing secretary, warned the first minister that she believed Welsh devolution would be jeopardized if he remained in the position.
Ms Griffiths, who resigned as culture secretary, stated: “I have come to the conclusion that we will not be able to get things back on track under your leadership, leaving me with only one realistic option at this point.”
Mr Antoniw further stated that Mr Gething no longer commands a majority in the Senedd and is “rudderless” without a new leader.
