Vaughan Gething: Welsh first minister to face motion of no confidence

Mr Gething has faced questions over a controversial 拢200k donation to his leadership campaign, since he came into office in March this year.

Tomos Evans

Wales reporter

Wednesday 29 May 2024 18:22, UK

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Welsh first minister Vaughan Gething is set to face a motion of no confidence next week.

Mr Gething has only been in post since March, but his government has since been through what he described as a "difficult" time.

The motion of no confidence has been tabled by the Welsh Conservatives, the largest opposition party in the Senedd, and is set to take place on Wednesday 5 June.

Mr Gething has faced questions over a controversial £200k donation to his leadership campaign from a man convicted of environmental offences.

He has refused calls for the money to be returned and the remaining funds have instead gone to "wider progressive causes".

He has said the donation was within the rules but has commissioned a review of future political donations.

Controversy over alleged leaks and sacking

Mr Gething was also accused of having misled the COVID Inquiry after a text message emerged in which he said he would delete messages in a ministerial group chat.

The first minister insisted the messages related to internal Labour Party matters.

He then sacked a minister in his government, Hannah Blythyn, for allegedly leaking them to the media - allegations she denies.

Plaid Cymru, a pro-Welsh independence party, then pulled out of its deal with Labour in which it supported the government on dozens of key issues.

Labour currently has 30 of the Senedd's 60 seats and the motion of no confidence is unlikely to pass without the support of some Labour backbenchers.

In the event of a tie, the presiding officer, known as the Llywydd, is expected to vote with the government to maintain the status quo.

'End the infighting'

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies said Senedd members would have their say on Mr Gething's "judgement, his transparency, and his truthfulness".

"It's time to put an end to the obfuscation, the drift and the infighting and vote no confidence in Vaughan Gething," he added.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said it was Labour and Keir Starmer who would ultimately decide if Mr Gething continues in post.

"In accepting £200k from a convicted polluter we obviously believe Vaughan Gething has undermined the office of first minister and the people of Wales' confidence," he said.

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds confirmed she would also vote in favour of the no confidence motion.

"Vaughan Gething has had the opportunity over the recent months to do the right thing and return the donation yet has failed to do so," she added.

But Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has given his backing to Mr Gething.

Sir Keir told reporters on the campaign trail for the general election that the first minister is "doing a good job".

"I'm looking forward to being with him in this campaign where we will campaign together for, what I hope will be, the next Labour government," he added.

A Labour spokesperson added: "While the Tories play politics Vaughan is getting on with the day job.

"He's out today meeting businesses to discuss what the future could look like with two Labour governments working together for Wales, and for Britain."

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