Hot topics close

Vaughan Gething confirmed as Wales's new first minister

Vaughan Gething confirmed as Waless new first minister
Mr Gething said being elected the first black leader of any European nation was "a matter of pride" and a "daunting responsibility" for him.

Vaughan Gething has been confirmed as Wales's new first minister after a vote of Senedd members.

Mr Gething was elected leader of Welsh Labour on Saturday and was announced as first minister after Mark Drakeford formally stood down on Tuesday.

He said becoming the first black leader of any European nation was "a matter of pride", but also a "daunting responsibility".

He was supported by 27 members of the Senedd in Wednesday's vote - all Labour members present as well as Welsh Liberal Democrat leader, Jane Dodds.

Former first minister Mr Drakeford nominated Mr Gething for the position.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies were also nominated by their respective parties. They received 11 and 13 votes, respectively.

Mr Gething, 50, began his statement to the Senedd by paying tribute to his predecessor Mark Drakeford.

More on Vaughan Gething

Related Topics:

Vaughan Gething in the Senedd.
Pic: PA
Image: Vaughan Gething in the Senedd. Pic: PA

'Leadership based on hope'

"Diolch yn fawr [Thank you very much] Mark for everything you have done for Wales," he said.

Mr Gething said he looked forward "to standing up for Wales and for devolution in the weeks and months to come".

"But I relish the opportunity to cooperate for Wales with a new UK government that invests in partnership and in Wales's future," he added.

He said he would offer Wales policies "rooted in Welsh values" and "a leadership based on hope".

"It is very easy not to care about identity, when your own has never once been questioned or held you back," he said.

"I believe the Wales of today and the future will be owned by all those decent people who recognise that our parliament and our government should look like our country."

He ended his statement by saying he wants to lead "a Wales full of hope, ambition and opportunity".

'Fresh start'

Mr Davies has said Mr Gething has "an opportunity for a fresh start" and has called on him to "scrap Labour's vanity projects".

Read more:Who is Wales's new first minister Vaughan Gething?What problems are facing the new leader of Welsh Labour?

Rhun ap Iorwerth said there were "ongoing questions" around donations to Vaughan Gething's campaign which had cast "a serious cloud over the office of first minister".

Mr ap Iorwerth, whose party is part of a cooperation agreement with the Labour government, said Plaid Cymru would "leave no stone unturned in holding the new first minister and his Labour Welsh government to account".

Similar news
News Archive
  • Thanks
    Thanks
    3-D optical biopsies within reach thanks to advance in light field technology
    26 Apr 2019
    4
  • Citigroup
    Citigroup
    Citi Says European Authorities Are Scrutinizing 2022 Flash Crash
    5 May 2024
    34
  • Soil moisture sensor
    Soil moisture sensor
    Global Water-based Defoamers Market 2021 : Size, Growth Opportunities, Current Trends, Forecast by 2026
    22 Jul 2021
    1
  • Chicken nugget
    Chicken nugget
    New Impossible nuggets actually taste like chicken
    15 Sep 2021
    10
  • George Clooney
    George Clooney
    The Boys In The Boat: What Happened To Don Hume After The 1936 Olympics
    9 Jan 2024
    14
This week's most popular news