Vaughan Gething offered Tory support in First Minister Senedd vote
Emily Price
The leader of the Welsh Conservatives has promised to back Vaughan Gething in his quest to become Wales’ new First Minister.
Andrew RT Davies made his pledge of support following the announcement at the weekend that the economy minister had narrowly won the Welsh Labour leadership election with 51.7% of the vote.
His campaign has been mired in controversy over a huge donation and the role of unions in nominating him.
Mark Drakeford will formerly resign as First Minister tomorrow after five years in the job.
Then on Wednesday (March 20) the Senedd will vote to confirm Mr Gething as Wales’ next First Minister.
However, he could be blocked if there is a united opposition and some abstentions from Labour MSs.
Discontent
There has been rising discontent amongst Labour backbenchers over the £200,000 donation to Mr Gething’s campaign from a company run by a man twice convicted for environmental offences.
In a post on X, the leader of the Welsh Tories said: “Most Labour Senedd members demanded a second referendum. They’re therefore unlikely to accept Vaughan Gething’s victory.”
Mr Davies’ offer of support comes with some conditions attached.
He said the Welsh Conservatives will offer the new Welsh Labour leader votes if he agrees to scrap the 20mph default speed limit along with Welsh Government plans for more Senedd politicians.
During the Labour leadership campaign, Mr Gething said the communication around the new speed limit was wrong.
However, he has not said he would reverse policy which was rolled out on Welsh roads in September.
A review is currently underway to look at the guidance used by councils to exempt roads from the 20mph speed limit.
The Welsh Conservatives have heavily opposed the policy and promise to axe it should they ever come into power in Wales.
Victory
On Monday (March 18) Andrew RT Davies called on the incoming First Minister to work with the Welsh Tories.
He said: “The people of Wales need a Welsh Government that delivers on their priorities.
“Many in Labour and in the nationalist media are unwilling to accept Gething’s victory, just like they didn’t accept Brexit, and will try and dictate his leadership according to their extreme ideology.
“So we’re asking Vaughan Gething to put petty party politics to one side, and to work with us to scrap 20mph and Senedd reform, and focus on the people’s priorities.”
Deal
Plaid Cymru’s Mabon ap Gwynfor blasted the “confidence and supply” agreement branding it “regressive and negative”.
In recent weeks, Mr Davies has made calls for Plaid Cymru to end its “coalition” with Welsh Labour.
In December 2021, Plaid Cymru and Welsh Labour signed a deal to work together on 46 policy areas.
It is a cooperation agreement and not a coalition government because Plaid Cymru remain in opposition.
Mr ap Gwynfor said: “Isn’t it ironic that the Tories have been bleating about the cooperation deal – which has so far delivered significant improvements to many people in Wales and has pushed the national project forwards – and whining about our successes, and now we hear that they themselves are offering a deal to support the Labour leader.
“Their offer, however, is regressive and negative which isn’t surprising considering that they have no ideas beyond championing Liz Truss and her failed premiership.”
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Well, well. Two of a kind.
With this decision, Davies has aligned himself and his party with (shall we say, politely) dodgy democracy and convicted criminals.
As if the Tories weren’t dodgy enough…..
He’s playing “Follow my Leader”!
I’d think the LAST THING Vaughan Gething would want, or need, would be an endorsement by Andrew RT ‘Blanket’ Davies #kissofdeath.
The depths Vaughan Gething has reached to get to the top is a contradiction in terms. Being endorsed by Andrew RT Davies. Ych a fi. Just tasted a bit of sick. 🤢
“Birds of a feather”….😉
Effectively, you are saying we are plucked!
Oh dear. If we needed any further confirmation that we have the wrong man, it has come in the form of approval from Mr Blanket.
ARTD is just sucking up in the hopes he can jump over Plaid Cymru and as terrible as Vaughan Gething is, not even he’s that desperate. Besides, Welsh Labour have a perfectly good cooperation agreement with Plaid Cymru, regardless of what Vaughan Gething wants to do they won’t rip it up.
“ART blanket D” forever meddling.
Do a deal with the Cons and you are tied to their coat tails on policy forever, you lose the next election which is probably the intent. Welsh Cons get their marching orders from No10 and far right think tanks, the same Tory party that likes to accept money from Hester and are happy with that and would take more even after what he said. They are trying to destabilise the Senedd and it will unlikely have been the Welsh Cons idea……
‘Regressive and negative’, I thought for a moment Mr ap Gwynfor was describing his own parties cooperation agreement with Welsh Labour.
Are you sure you you’re not a Tory cause you sound like one.
They are both the same HORSE unionist parties but different JOCKEYS Labour and Tory neither put Wales first
And lame ones at that
Beware of “ geeks “ bearing gifts 🎁
Receiving a gift from Andrew RT Davies is like getting a political prostrate examination. I don’t trust him. He has a sly agenda. Something’s not right. Can’t put my finger on it, or in it.
As a geek myself I take great offence at being compared to ARTD. I’ve done many things wrong in my life, but I’m not a Tory and I have NEVER sunk to the depths of depravity that ARTD has.
With Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies seal of approvement are we now to assume Vaughan Gething and Welsh Labour have now entered the Tory twilight zone?
You’d have thought Arty D would have been making political capital by sticking it to VG over the £200k donation affair. Hmm!
Nah, thinks he smells blood in the water. Clearly ARTD has no sense of smell 😂😂