Vaughan Gething set to be new First Minister of Wales

The current Economy Minister won the Welsh Labour leadership contest on the weekend.

Vaughan Gething is expected to become First Minister
Author: Claire BoadPublished 20th Mar 2024
Last updated 20th Mar 2024

Vaughan Gething is expected to become the First Minister of Wales following a vote in the Senedd this afternoon.

Mr Gething, who recently served as Economy Minister under Mark Drakeford, beat Education Minister Jeremy Miles in the Welsh Labour leadership contest, with just under 52% of the vote.

At the start of Senedd proceedings, members of the Senedd will vote for a new First Minister of Wales, with Vaughan Gething expected to be elected.

Labour currently have 50% of all Senedd seats and will only need one more vote for an outright majority.

Vaughan Gething succeeded Mark Drakeford as Welsh Labour leader and is expected to be voted in as First Minister, making him the first black leader of any European nation.

After his election win, we spoke to him to see what his first priorities are.

Public service funding was one thing he says he will fight for.

He said: 'We need resources and reform for our health services. The UK budget has set out that the future of our public services is bleak'.

Gething is inheriting many major issues in Wales, including the cost of living crisis and the first bout of junior doctor's strikes in Welsh history.

He told us he understands why junior doctors took the decision for strike action.

'They have had 14 years of their pay going backwards, so i understand why the elastic has snapped for some of them.

'We need to be honest about what we can do in there here and now, and honest about what we can do in the future'.

Finally, Vaughan Gething turned his sights towards the general election. His Labour party are expected to perform well when the election is called, and he says he wants to work with Kier Starmer to ensure that.

'It could be in six weeks, it could be in six months. Either way its not far into the distance. we need to remember we are all in the same party for a reason . Its a really year with challenges, but also opportunities as well'.

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