Vaughan Gething, the first Black leader of a government in the U.K., lost a no-confidence vote in the Welsh parliament on Wednesday, less than three months after his historic election. The opposition Conservatives called the vote after weeks of criticism of Gething's leadership and judgment.
Vaughan Gething, the first minister of Wales, lost a no-confidence vote in the Welsh parliament on Wednesday, a blow to his leadership after just three months in the role.
The opposition Conservatives called the nonbinding vote after weeks of criticism of Gething's judgment in accepting a contentious campaign donation and his handling of other issues.
The result — a vote of 29-27 against the leader — was a setback for Gething, who said he was "very disappointed" but insisted he would not resign.
"I’m here, proud to be the first minister of Wales to serve and lead my country," he said.
Gething's Labour Party holds 30 of the 60 Senedd seats, but two Labour lawmakers were absent due to illness on Wednesday, ensuring the no-confidence vote would pass. Labour has relied on support from the Welsh nationalist party Plaid Cymru to win votes, but the parties’ cooperation arrangement collapsed last month.
Gething, who was born to a Welsh father and a Zambian mother, made history in March when he was elected to head the Cardiff-based administration. He said at the time that it was "a matter of pride for a modern Wales but also a daunting responsibility for me — and one that I do not take lightly."
During his election campaign, Gething faced criticism for accepting £200,000 ($255,000) in donations from a recycling company whose owner had been found guilty of environmental offenses and breaching health and safety regulations. Another company with the same owner was given a loan by the government-owned Development Bank of Wales in 2023 when Gething was economy minister.
Gething has denied any wrongdoing and said the donations were properly declared under electoral rules.
"I have never, ever made a decision, in more than a decade as a minister, for personal or financial gain," he said Wednesday.
But the issue has not subsided. Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth cited the donations as a reason for ending his party’s agreement with Labour.
Ap Iorwerth said that Gething's "lack of judgment and contrition, along with a bunker mentality ... do not demonstrate the required skills set for the office holder of first minister."
Gething also revealed bad blood within Welsh Labour when he fired government minister Hannah Blythyn for allegedly leaking private phone messages to the media. Blythyn, who denied it, was one of two Labour lawmakers absent due to illness on Wednesday.
Vikki Howells, who heads the Labour group of lawmakers in the Senedd, said the Conservatives had refused to accept "pairing," the tradition by which parties agree to have members abstain when opponents have to be absent.
The Conservatives said the pairing system isn't normally used for votes on significant issues.
Gething criticized the tenor of the discussion about his conduct, saying that "like me, so many people of color have been traduced and vilified merely for raising concerns about how some of these debates have been handled."
Wales, which has a population of about 3 million, is one of four parts of the United Kingdom, along with England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The British government in London is responsible for defense, foreign affairs, and other U.K.-wide issues, while administrations in Cardiff, Edinburgh, and Belfast control areas such as education and health.
