Timeline for selecting First Minister to be set by Welsh Labour

The party's executive is meeting today, following Vaughan Gething's announcement that he'll step down

Author: Seb CheerPublished 20th Jul 2024
Last updated 20th Jul 2024

The process and timeline for selecting Wales' next First Minister are expected to be decided today (Saturday 20th July.)

Welsh Labour's executive is meeting to talk through the details.

This week, Vaughan Gething announced he'll stand down, after four members of his Cabinet quit in protest at his leadership.

He spent just four weeks in the post, which included losing a vote of no confidence in the Senedd following rows over a donation, and his decision to sack a minister.

READ MORE: Gething’s short tenure as Welsh leader marked by scandal

Mr Gething has said he expects his replacement to be in place by the autumn, and he will stay in the role until then.

No Labour Member of the Senedd has publicly announced that they intend to run as a candidate.

Former FM Mark Drakeford has been asked whether Mr Gething's leadership rival Jeremy Miles - one of the four ministers who resigned on Tuesday - could have initially done more to unify the Welsh Labour group.

He replied: "I myself don't believe that. I think in those early days there was an enormous amount of goodwill, people who hadn't supported Vaughan joined his cabinet and were willing to take up important positions and be part of the government."

"I think people were absolutely proud to have the first black leader anywhere in Europe, here in Wales," Mr Drakeford added.

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