Vaughan Gething to be Wales' next First Minister
He was up against Jeremy Miles in the contest to lead Welsh Labour
Last updated 16th Mar 2024
Vaughan Gething is the new leader of Welsh Labour and First Minister for Wales.
The announcement was made in Cardiff city centre this morning, in a lecture hall at Cardiff University.
Labour members have chosen Mr Gething, 49, to succeed Mark Drakeford, who has held the position since 2018.
Mr Gething beat his only rival, the education minister Jeremy Miles.
Addressing members of the Labour Party, the new leader said: "The first thing to do is to pay tribute to Mark (Drakeford).
"What is often said about Mark is he is a details man.
"But he was the right leader at the right time during the pandemic and it is true that we will be forever in his debt to his forensic approach to public policy.
"Not a lot is said about a heart that went into it to the deep and unwavering duty to defend Wales, as a community, as a people, as a family of families."
Sir Keir Starmer has sent his thanks to Mark Drakeford as Wales's next first minister is to be revealed.
The Labour leader said in a statement posted to X: "Mark Drakeford has serves as First Minister of Wales with distinction.
"He has shown steady leadership, particularly during the turbulent times of the pandemic. His commitment, hard work and service on behalf of the people of Wales has been unswerving.
"I want to personally thank Mark for all he has achieved during his term and as Leader of Welsh Labour and wish him the very best for the future."
Retail trade union Usdaw has congratulated Vaughan Gething on being elected the next leader.
Paddy Lillis - Usdaw General Secretary says: “We welcome that Vaughan Gething has been elected to lead the Welsh Labour Party and look forward to working with him to improve the lives of workers in Wales and deliver for our members. We also pay tribute to Jeremy Miles for running a strong leadership campaign and Mark Drakeford for his service to Wales as First Minister since 2018."
The battle to become Wales' next First Minister started after Mark Drakeford announced in December that he would be retiring.
He had been in the role since 2018 with politicians from across the political spectrum paying tribute following news of his departure.
Despite some early contenders, the candidates vying to take the top job in Welsh politics came down to Jeremy Miles and Vaughan Gething.