Vaughan Gething resigns as First Minister
Emily Price
Vaughan Gething has resigned as First Minister following weeks of controversies and a mass walk out by his cabinet.
He said the assertion that some kind of wrongdoing had taken place is “pernicious, politically motivated and patently untrue”.
In a statement published on Tuesday morning (July 16) he said: “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. It has been the honour of my life to do this job even for a few short months.
“To see the dedication to public service from our civil service, and the dedication to civility from the Welsh public.
“To see the election of a new government in Westminster, and the fresh hope that brings to Wales. I have always pursued my political career to serve Wales.
“And being able to show underrepresented communities that there is a place for them, for us, is an honour and privilege that will never diminish.
“It’s what drew me into public service. Before becoming an MS I fought employment cases for people who’d been mistreated at work. I wanted to give power those without a voice. That has always been my motivation.
“I also campaigned to help create the Senedd, clocking up 30 years of work to support Wales’ devolution journey. This has been the most difficult time, for me, and my family.
“A growing assertion that some kind of wrongdoing has taken place has been pernicious, politically motivated and patently untrue.
“In 11 years as a Minister, I have never ever made a decision for personal gain. I have never ever misused or abused my ministerial responsibilities. My integrity matters. I have not compromised it.
“I regret that the burden of proof is no longer an important commodity in the language of our politics. I do hope that can change. I will now discuss a timetable for the election of new leader of my party.
“Finally, I want to say thank you to those who have reached out to support me, my team and my family in recent weeks. It has meant the world to all of us.
“To those in Wales who look like me – many of whom I know feel personally bruised and worried by this moment, I know that our country can be better. I know that cannot happen without us.
“There will – and there must be – a government that looks like the country it serves.”
‘Painful’
It comes after four members of Mr Gething’s cabinet quit their roles on Tuesday morning (July 16).
Counsel General Mick Antoniw, Cabinet Secretary for Economy Jeremy Miles, Cabinet Secretary for Housing Julie James and Cabinet Secretary for Culture Lesley Griffiths posted separate letters on social media in which they called for Mr Gething to go.
Mick Antoniw, the Welsh Government’s chief legal advisor, urged Mr Gething to “put the country first and resign” saying the Senedd was “rudderless” without a new leader.
Mr Miles, who ran against Mr Gething for the Welsh Labour leadership, called on the First Minister to resign and said “the events of the last few months including your loss of the confidence vote in the Senedd, have been incredibly painful”.
He told Mr Gething: “It’s essential that we begin to repair the damage immediately, and I have reached the conclusion very regrettably that this cannot happen under your leadership.
“I can’t see any way forward for us which allows us to get on with job we are elected to do, without you standing down.”
The Prime Minister Keir Starmer thanked Mr Gething for his time as First Minister.
In a statement he said: “Vaughan should take enormous pride in being the first black leader of any country in Europe.
“That achievement with have broadened the ambitions and raised the gaze of a generation of young people in Wales and beyond.
“I know what a difficult decision this has been for him – but I also know that he has made it because he feels it is the best decision now for Wales. I wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
Mr Gething’s short and tumultuous tenure saw him embroiled in several scandals which led to him losing a vote of no confidence after the breakdown of the Plaid Cymru co-operation agreement.
Rows over his decision to sack Hannah Blythyn came to a head after last week after the former junior minister returned to the Senedd and maintained her innocence.
Donation
Mr Gething’s time in office was also overshadowed by a huge donation he took while running to be Welsh Labour leader.
The First Minister has been under pressure over a £200,000 donation from the Dauson Environmental Group, which is owned by David Neal, who was convicted of environmental offences.
There have also been concerns about a possible conflict of interest in the money coming from a company which was loaned £400,000 by the Welsh Government-owned, Development Bank of Wales.
The loan was given to Neal Soil Suppliers – a subsidiary of Dauson – in 2023 to help purchase a solar farm, at a time when Mr Gething was economy minister.
Mr Gething has always insisted donations to his campaign were within the rules.
But Plaid Cymru cited the donation as one of the reasons for ending its co-operation agreement in the Senedd with the Welsh Labour administration.
Nation.Cymru’s Martin Shipton told BBC Wales that Mr Gething’s downfall was a “disaster of his own making”.
Vaughan Gething has failed to come to terms with the fact his dream job as first minister of Wales has been a ‘disaster’, according to a political commentator
And Martin Shipton says it has been ‘of his own making’
Live updates: https://t.co/yWds33xDEq pic.twitter.com/NbnZzgjmXo
— BBC Wales News (@BBCWalesNews) July 16, 2024
Headlines
Leader of the Welsh Local Government Association and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, Andrew Morgan said recent months had caused damage to the Labour Party in Wales with Senedd business over shadowed by “a series of negative headlines”.
He said: “There is, and has been, growing concern that relationships between political parties in the Senedd have clearly broken down since the vote of no confidence to the point that there was a real concern that a Senedd budget may not be able to be laid and agreed in a timely manner. I hope that Welsh politics can now start afresh.”
Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth called for a snap Senedd election.
He said: “The people of Wales have lost faith in the First Minister, belatedly he has done that right thing and resigned. But the people of Wales are losing confidence in Labour’s ability to govern Wales.
“This could be the third Labour First Minister in seven months – a revolving door of chaos. Labour has put party interests ahead of the interests of the nation for too long.
“The people of Wales must be given the opportunity to elect a new government and an election must be called.
“Plaid Cymru stands ready to serve with a platform which puts fairness and ambition at its heart.
“Voters the length and breadth of Wales deserve a government which is unrelenting in addressing the issues that matter most to them – from record high NHS waiting lists and the scourge of child poverty, to below average educational outcomes and building an economy that works for all.
“After 25 years at the helm, Labour is unable to rebuild and refresh from within.”
Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies said: “Vaughan Gething’s resignation was inevitable. But the chaos is not just on him.
“His opponents within Welsh Labour have been equally dishonest, putting political games before the people of Wales.
“There is something very rotten at the heart of Welsh Labour, that replacing Gething will not solve.”
‘Overdue’
Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS said: “This is the right decision but one that was long overdue. Welsh Labour have left us in a sorry situation of their own making.
“The Welsh Liberal Democrats want to see steps taken to ensure these sorts of scandals don’t keep happening, including a cap on political donations.
“Whoever now becomes Welsh Labour Leader, the Welsh Liberal Democrats will ensure they are held to account and focus on the issues where the Welsh public are being let down, whether that’s child poverty, ambulance waiting times or the situation at Port Talbot Steel Works.”
Wales Green Party Leader Anthony Slaughter said: “The First Minister has been mired in scandal and controversy since day one of his appointment and his continuous arrogant dismissal of any questions reflects the complacency at the heart of a Welsh Labour Government that does not welcome scrutiny.”
More to follow…
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I never doubted that he would make some reference about “looking like him”. I think it is more likely to be the arrogant way he looks and acts in the Senedd and elsewhere. He must have been a nightmare to work for.
If he genuinely believes this line he definitely has no sense of self-awareness. The way he has acted and things he has said have been drivers for why the wheels have fallen off.
He is worse than a parody of the self-serving politician.
“He must have been a nightmare to work for.”
He was.
Now rebuild. Pull the rug from under the Conservative and Reform.
I see that the resignation statement both laments the “burden of proof” when applied to his wrongdoings, but then later he again outrageously plays the race card without any proof at all. Is nobody going to publicly challenge him on this?
His race undoubtedly helped him into the role: it was sheer incompetence that saw him off.
It is pretty outrageous when the colour of his skin was never part of the issue, not anywhere in Wales at least. If anything it was the recognition of his skin colour of not making a damned bit of difference when it came to his misteps, being held to the same standards as any other First Minister would be. If Vaughn Gething had not been held to these standards, that would have been racist, as it would be lowering the bar because of the colour of his skin. It should go without saying, however, that the government and political institutions… Read more »
Politially motivated? Pernicious? This surely shows how self-rightioness has destroyed him. It was dirty money and disloyalty to a minister whose mental wellbeing he ignored that brought him down. None of Drakeford’s opponents tried to remove him when he was in office, despite political disagreements. What an immense shame that he has thrown away the prestige Wales had by appointing an ethnic minority first minister, and our pride at that happening. So then, here’s to better times ahead….
Good and bad in every shade of skin. This man was evidence of that simple fact.
Oh dear! Such ‘prestige’ is worthless. Who cares what shade of brown our First Minister?! Give us someone who will do the job, and of whom we can rightly be proud – by merit, not by skin colour!
Even in his resignation statement, he didn’t have it in him, to apologise for what he has done wrong!
Clear red water NOW!
It was not if but when. Vaughan Gething has nobody else to blame but himself.
Gething became so transfixed on gaining then holding onto power, he became blind and ignorant to all other issues facing him.
Best news of the week. Hopefully get someone with integrity and ability
The sad thing about this it that he will probably leave with a fancy payoff, a fantastic pension and “maybe” a salary for life. One thing is for certain, he will not suffer financial difficulty like any other working man or woman.
He had to be pushed, stubborn, arrogant, self gratifying, power seeking, wonder if he will get a knighthood or lordship now will Starmer put him up for one?
After this debacle will the people of Wales still want to chase the ideology of independence as he says he was there 30 years ago fighting for the senedd to be set up and his end as leader is brought on by his own actions of I know best.
There may be trouble ahead. With a pool of just thirty members, the governing party will have to include in its next cabinet, members from both sides of their divided group. This may be a big task for the next First Minister, but it can be done. For the sake of democracy in Cymru, I wish her or him all success in achieving that.
I’m not sure what’s going to happen next but, from personal experience working with many Senedd Members from across the political spectrum, I can say that they’re mostly political pygmies with intellects to match. I wouldn’t appoint many of them to a parish council let alone a national government.
Laughable that he mentions burden of proof in his resignation statement given his reaction about that topic on Friday following a comment by Llyr Gryffydd, Completely lacking in contrition, self-awareness and I’d also suggest self-respect as well.
Nobody seems concerned about the other MS’s involved in the What’s App group who failed to publicise the fact that Gething wanted to delete the messages. Did they think it was OK, just so long as the news didn’t get out. They are just as guilty of trying to suppress information.
100% da iawn and acurate. All it means power +corruption dont matter who they are
Let’s hope the Senydd will get it’s house in order. Starting by cleaning the streets up, pruning trees. Hedgerows. Gutters. All bushes. Nearly had a road traffic accident last Tuesday because the greenery along the roads is so overgrown I couldn’t see the signs.
Chwarae teg that’s the best ‘look a squirrel’ comment I’ve seen for a long time
It’s spelt Senedd, and as a body it’s not responsible for street cleaning, pruning of vegetation or cleaning the gutters. Maybe contacting your local council will yield an adequate response?
Nice one Paddy!
Most of those sound like County Council or landowner responsibility, not Senedd
Well that was on time wasn’t it. Just after the GE like we all thought. Gething once again brazenly denies his part and insinuates racism in doing so. You accepted an unprecedented sum of money from a businessman with a criminal record on environmental matters and lobbied on his behalf. You lied to the Covid enquiry about deleting messages and sacked a minister without giving reasonable evidence. You get angry at journalists who ask you awkward questions. That is why you have been obliged to resign Mr Gething. Now we have to repair the damage you have done to confidence… Read more »
Cardiff has been known as a Rainbow Culture for decades so cashing out and dropping the race card is a reflection of him being a toxic brand that peddles toxic waste.
I suggest they leave the air conditioning on full blast for the recess to clear the stench and hold a Senedd election ASAP. That will probably give us a Labour/Reform split with Plaid as the Joker, not the outcome I would wish for but possibly an effective and balanced forum. We’ll see.
‘I regret that the burden of proof is no longer an important commodity in the language of our politics’.
Just like how VG said the onus wasn’t on him to provide the evidence prompting him to sack Hannah Blythyn. One rule for thee …
Absolutely! Another example of his rank hypocricy.
An election now & to determine if this place needs another 36 characters like these lot in the senedd……
The new Leader of Welsh Labour will need a lot of luck and goodwill if they are to be elected FM, none were in a rush to get to today, cue the prospect of backroom arm twisting and offers to other parties to assist them.
It is not what the people of Wales want, we
want an election so we can decide not the political underclass.
Power to the people.
I’ve been subscribing to Nation.cymru since its inception. It has being doing the job of holding the powerful to account – a job that WoL and BBC rarely do. Carry on this important work please. Probably a good time to start looking at the energy sector and its relationships with our politicians before all the pylons and turbines go up….
I’m going to increase my monthly sub.
Da Iawn!
Unbelievable, watching the Senedd’s First Minister Questions, Vaughan Gething still does not get it, he is still blaming everyone else apart from himself.
He is so arrogant, even in defeat.
I am no fan of RT Davies, but Mr Davies said he put out his hand to Gething to wish him well in the future and Gething refused to shake it.
I think Gething needs to have a long hard look at himeself in the mirror and reflect on how he has become so out of touch with the people of Wales.
I’m glad RT Davies brought that up. Are we at all surprised by Gething refusing to shake his hand? Gething has clearly not learned many lessons in life, which most of us mere mortals have. It pays to be a bigger person and things like shaking someone’s hand even if you think they are a [insert 4 letter word of choice] are an example of that.
Disappointed to see him go, he was doing a far better job of tearing apart ‘Welsh’ Labour than any of the useless opposition parties.
A complete farce from start to finish. He never had the temperament for the top job. Even going out the door he just cannot help deploying the card thereby reinforcing all the negative stereotypes. Just look at what Starmers ridiculous statement begins with.
The problem here is that there is too much focus on one particular issue at the expense of another larger issue. This being whether or not he deliberately mislead the Covid 19 enquiry and deleted whatsapp messages. I hope the media do not lose sight of this.
It is the thickness of his skin (or lack of it), not its colour, that is the cause of his downfall.
I take your point, but I still wonder, in the light of his continued protestations of personal outrage, whether thin-skinnedness is also a factor? A thin-skinnedness which doesn’t, to me at least, seem to be justified by the actual facts, insofar as we know them.
Stark contrast between the ways VG and Humza Yousaf (SNP First Minister of Scotland) handled their respective resignations. HY immediately took responsibility and showed suitable contrition, an approach that actually enhanced his standing in the eyes of many people despite the circumstances.
Please just look at his record :- As the Member for Penarth he’s completely wrecked the area. As Health Minister he completely wrecked Wales as health care disappeared As FM he split the country. His arrogance is seen now by everyone and no one is impressed. Not answering questions , does he honestly think that people don’t care , playing the race card has blown the top off for everyone. Wales does not have race problem when it does it’s the person with a grudge that causes it.
Mr Gething’s resignation was surely inevitable, and the actual time when it happened was merely a matter of time. The hard underlying fact seems to have been that though the choices of Labour party affiliates tipped the overall vote in Gething’s favour, he apparently wasn’t the preferred option either of the party’s membership nor, much more significantly, of his Labour colleagues in the Senedd. The latter issue was the initial most significant factor which fatally undermined Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of Westminster Labour, and it’s hardly surprising that something similar might happen in respect of the party in the Senedd. If… Read more »
Perhaps it is time to shutdown the experiment of Welsh devolution and the hot air factory that is the Senate which is due to add another 36 pretend politicians / chancers did the Welsh populace really want a westminster in Wales moody hooky politics. In all reality what has the Senate actually achieved for Wales in its 25 years answers on a post card
The problem with that road is that its end result is a UK which is merely a species of ‘greater England’.
I think that’s what T3DSK1’s preference is.
But people with such a view can’t come out and say it because they can’t identify anything that would benefit Cymru from that arrangement.
That was my sense too.
Forgetting my shot at the hot air factory and devolution. Tell me this What has the Senate actually achieved in the last 25 years take a look at the Labour run fiasco so far I would love to see a Wales run for the Welsh by the Welsh but as it stands its never going to happen if Labour are in power. Things need to change a better system of voting We get red or blue same old same old and whatever happens Wales will still have to go cap in to Westminster perhaps we should do what the Chartists… Read more »
I’m English by upbringing and only came to Wales by chance, way back in 1964, because a Welsh university made me the best offer that I got. It never occurred to me that I might stay here in the longer term. And back then, I was a unionist – not out of any specific substantial conviction, but simply because sixty years ago that was the only identity that I’d ever known. Though I was never prompted to give it much thought, I just assumed that … well, Britain was just Britain. As my life panned out, and certainly without any… Read more »