Welsh Labour ministers, led by Gething rival and Economy Secretary Jeremy Miles, are resigning from the government. Miles refused to back Vaughan Gething last night…
This morning Miles says he “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.” Ministers Mick Antoniw, Julie James, and Lesley Griffiths have also just resigned. Counsel General Antoniw is blistering: “I must advise you that I do not believe you can continue as First Minister. Wales needs confident and stable government. I do not believe you are capable of delivering that.”The debate over Hannah Blythyn’s sacking is ongoing – ripe opportunity to angle for a takeover…
The Welsh Tories are jumping at the news. “Vaughan Gething’s time as First Minister is rightly coming to an end”…
“The events of the last few months including your loss of the confidence vote in the Senedd, have been incredibly painful. This has become a distraction from the important work of the Welsh government and is damaging our party.
I’m sure this period has taken an unimaginable toll on you and on your family – it certainly has for the Senedd Labour group and for many in Welsh Labour. We cannot continue like this. 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.
I say this with sadness. Your leadership has marked a historic moment for Wales, the UK and Europe more widely, a moment which as a party we are and should always be immensely proud of. Your political career has been ground-breaking achievements which are rightly woven into the history of the labour movement in Wales.
As a fellow candidate in our recent leadership election, the significance of you – as a black man, and me, as a gay man – standing as candidates to lead our nation was something we were both proud of.
But in particular when the stakes are so high for the people who elect us, we must always put the interests of our country first.
I want to thank you for the opportunity to serve in your Cabinet. Serving in government under you, Mark and Carwyn has been both an immense privilege and a solemn responsibility. I have been proud to play my part and of our many achievements over the years, which is why I am sorry that I can no longer serve in your government.”
