Vaughan Gething to become Wales' next first minister after winning Labour leadership contest

16 March 2024, 10:15 | Updated: 16 March 2024, 11:07

Vaughan Gething is set to become the new first minister of Wales after winning the Welsh Labour leadership contest.

Mr Gething, 49, has been chosen as the party's next leader, succeeding Mark Drakeford, who has held the position since 2018.

He achieved 51.7% of the vote compared to his rival, the education minister Jeremy Miles with 48.3%.

Mr Gething, who will also be the first black man to hold the post, is expected to be declared as the country's fifth leader on Wednesday when a vote will be held in the Senedd.

Speaking after the news, the new first minister said 'Welsh solutions to Welsh problems' were integral to him.

He said: "Today, we turn a page in the book of our nation's history. A history we write together.

"Not just because I have the honour of becoming the first black leader in any European country - but because the generational dial has jumped too.

"Devolution is not something I have had to get used to or adapt to or apologise for. Devolution - Welsh solutions to Welsh problems - that's in my blood. It's what I've always known."

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Mr Gething also paid tribute to outgoing first minister Mark Drakeford.

He said: "The first thing to do is to pay tribute to Mark. What is often said about Mark is he is a details man.

"But he was the right leader at the right time during the pandemic and it is true that we will be forever in his debt to his forensic approach to public policy.

"Not a lot is said about a heart that went into it to the deep and unwavering duty to defend Wales, as a community, as a people, as a family of families."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer congratulated Mr Gething on his win, as he said it was a "historic moment that speaks to the progress and values of modern-day Wales".

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "I am committed to working together constructively with a relentless focus on growing the Welsh economy and levelling up communities.

"This is a chance for a new Welsh administration to focus on what matters to people in Wales."

Jane Dodds MS, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, described Mr Gething's victory as a "bold new beginning" for Wales.

She said: "This a bold new beginning for us all, one which could make or break the very future of this country. We need to see a different approach to the issues facing our nation and not the same 'steady as she goes' approach taken by Mr Gething's predecessors.

"Many people across Wales feel forgotten about, we need a government that meets the needs of everyone here in Wales, from North to South and East to West.

"The people of Wales want a healthy environment and a thriving NHS, and they want a government that's willing to lead the way in making this dream a reality.

"My question to Mr Gething is this, are you willing to give the people of Wales what they want?"

It comes after Mr Drakeford, 69, announced in December last year he would be resigning.

Mr Drakeford was first elected to the Senedd in 2011 as the Member for Cardiff West.

He served in various ministerial roles from 2013 under the leadership of Carwyn Jones, before succeeding him as First Minister and Welsh Labour leader in 2018.