Calls for snap election in Wales ‘hot-headed’, says Tory leader
Andrew RT Davies has objected to calls for a snap Senedd election, saying the people of Wales do not want back-to-back elections.
Plaid Cymru immediately called for a snap election on Tuesday, following Vaughan Gething’s announcement that he intended to resign as the First Minister of Wales.
Legislation
But the Welsh Tories have objected, saying Senedd legislation means a second election would have to be held less than two years later in 2026.
Mr Gething announced his intention to resign after four members of his government quit in protest at his leadership, following a series of rows over donations taken during the race to be Welsh Labour leader and the sacking of a minister.
The Senedd is set to undergo a major transformation in 2026, with legislation in place that would see the number of members expand from 60 to 96.
That law means that if an election was held today, there would have to be another by May 2026.
Speaking to the PA news agency, Mr Davies said: “I think that’s being very hot-headed in the current climate.
“Because actually, what would happen would be that we could have an election now and then we’d still have to have a full Senedd election in 2026.
“I don’t think people want a full-blown general election here in Wales.
“What people want is clear leadership, direction of travel, and improvements in their everyday lives.
“What we want to deliver from the Conservative camp are the solutions that will do that and drive up performance here in Wales and we can do that and make that offer in 2026.”
Non-binding vote
Mr Davies added that the First Minister should have resigned when he lost the non-binding vote of no-confidence earlier this year, rather than “drag it out”.
Rhun ap Iorwerth, the leader of Plaid Cymru, insisted he was not someone with “a massive appetite for lots of elections”.
But, he added: “All I’m seeing is the chaos that we had because of the actions of Vaughan Gething over the last three months and how slow Labour were to take that step to get rid of him.”
Mr ap Iorwerth insisted the people of Wales did not want a “revolving door” of Labour First Ministers, with them to get the third leader this year, following Mark Drakeford’s resignation in March when Mr Gething took over.
He said: “They should be asked what kind of people they want and Plaid Cymru is ready for that election.
“We’ve had a UK general election, we now need to focus on what kind of government we want for Wales.”
He also argued that the outgoing FM had been on “borrowed time” since he lost the no-confidence vote.
He said: “You must remember that the four ministers that called on him to go voted to show their confidence in him not that many weeks ago.
“It was hardly decisive action by them but today had to come.”
Even Mr Gething’s staunchest allies admitted it was time for the First Minister to tender his resignation.
Hefin David MS for Caerphilly, who has defended the Welsh Labour leader in the Senedd chamber, said Mr Gething had “acted with incredible dignity” but it was “now in the best interest of Wales” that he resign so that the party can focus on policy.
He said: “He has listened to the voices of those who left his government and has decided to stand down.
“I think he’s done what he thinks is in the best interest of Wales, that’s his choice.
“Naturally, as a supporter of Vaughan, I’m disappointed.
“What we have to do is unite and deliver for the people of Wales along the lines of the cost of living, the NHS, education, but really importantly Tata Steel.”
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Me thinks RT doth protest because he knows they would be on a hiding to nothing…
Bring it on…
How do you know Andrew? Have you asked the people of Wales yourself?
Well there was a GE less than 2 weeks ago in which Labour won and Plaid trailed Reform in 4th which gives a good idea if what people think.
I would hypothesize that many Plaid supporters voted tactically for Labour or the Lib Dems to unseat the Tories. But yeah I’m not sure another election is a good idea. There would be the small matter of voter fatigue.
Sadly a rather delusional outlook – the idea that there is a wave of Plaid voters out there who just happened to vote for other parties 2 weeks ago.
When it comes to Senedd elections voter fatigue seems to be a recurring ailment !
Personally I think it’s bonkers to go now after coming second in so many area’s to a far right party and with a low turn out to compound the issue. Plaid really do worry me at times, this is one of them.
But lets keep the national and Wales separated by a few years. Perhaps when we find out more on reform after the gloss has been worn off (the party that kept quiet about an MP’s past violence. Among other things).
Ay contraire RT, we would love to vote again!
Bring it on. Let’s boot the Tories out the Senedd too
As much as I agree with your sentiment, sadly unseat the Tories could replace them with Reform.
Weird!! Thought RT Blanket would be well up for this….. oh yes, wipe out!
Ohhhh no we don’t?????
Ohhhh yes we do!!!!!
Labour repeatedly criticised the Tories for their series of pantomimes which imposed multiple unelected Tory Prime Ministers upon the people of the UK; it is therefore disingenuous for Labour to justify an identical series of pantomimes and imposing multiple unelected Labour First Ministers upon the people of Wales, and refusing to go to the country for a mandate.
Time for an election.
I think ART2D2 noticed how many conservative voters put an X in the reform box recently. Best not be too hasty eh … On that note, Plaid, Labour, Libs and indeed Greens are faced with a problem in dealing with Reform at the next Senedd election. They will win seats and they are not friendly towards the ideas of Welsh Nationhood or Welsh Democracy. We will likely need to reach a consensus to work together. We need a policy programme that delivers better incomes for Welsh people. That has to be no.1 priority. That’s how you beat Reform and their… Read more »
Of course lame duck Welsh Tory leader Andrew RT Davies doesn’t want a snap election. Why would he? I’ll tell ya. He’ll be out on his lardy backside before you can say, The Conservative & Unionist party. There’s Liz Truss beaten by a lettuce and Andrew RT Davies who is less popular than a sprout but equally gassy.
I’m rather surprised that this failed MS hasn’t run away with the rest of the hasbeens and joined the scrapheap of reform.
He hated Wales enough to join the Tories, so his contempt for decency and the people of Wales tells me that reform should be his next port of call.
He’ll be ready for a snap election, once his awful masters tell him when.
Altogether predictable responses, given that the Westminster election result was quite a success for Plaid and comprehensively disastrous for the Conservatives!