Another day, another drama. This time it’s in Wales, where Labour leader Vaughan Gething has this morning resigned from his role as First Minister. In a statement the outgoing FM admits he had hope that over the summer period ‘rebuilding and renewal could take place under my leadership… I realise now that this is not possible.’
Gething’s resignation comes after a turbulent morning under fire after four ministers resigned this morning in a mass mutiny. In the space of a few minutes, the Welsh First Minister today lost his economy secretary, culture secretary, housing secretary and counsel general. Talk about an exodus…
The Welsh First Minister’s troubles started when he accepted a staggering sum during his leadership campaign from dodgy donor David Neal, a man who has twice been convicted of environmental offences. As rumours swirled about the donation cash – and the fate of Gething’s own Covid text messages – the coalition between Welsh Labour and nationalist group Plaid Cymru broke down. And then not long afterwards, just 77 days into his premiership, the scandal-ridden Welsh First Minister went on to lose a vote of no confidence. Talk about getting off on the wrong foot…
‘We cannot continue like this,’ ex-economy man Jeremy Miles raged earlier today, just hours before Gething stepped down. In a coordinated strike, the others agreed. Counsel general Mick Antoniw fumed at his party leader today that: ‘For all intents and purpose the Senedd is rudderless…’ Lesley Griffiths of the culture brief admitted she was leaving with a ‘heavy heart’ while housing secretary Julie James described the last few months as a ‘rollercoaster’ – not, Mr S would presume, the fun kind…
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