THE WELSH GOVERNMENT is poised for a significant transition as the timetable for replacing Vaughan Gething has been announced today (Saturday, July 20).

Wales will have new first minister in September. Vaughan Gething’s resignation as First Minister of Wales came after a series of controversies and political turmoil within Welsh Labour. His leadership has been under intense scrutiny, particularly due to issues surrounding a significant campaign donation and the dismissal of a minister, which ultimately led to the collapse of his government support.

Gething faced persistent questions about a £200,000 donation from Dauson Environmental Group during his leadership campaign. This donation raised concerns due to the company’s prior convictions and a conflict of interest, given the company’s loan from the Welsh government-owned Development Bank of Wales when Gething was the economy minister. These issues eroded trust and led to Plaid Cymru withdrawing its support for his government, which had been crucial for maintaining a majority in the Senedd.

Additionally, Gething’s decision to sack Hannah Blythyn, the Minister for Social Partnership, over leaked phone messages, further fueled the controversy. Blythyn denied any wrongdoing, and her dismissal was a key factor in Plaid Cymru’s decision to end their cooperation agreement with Labour.

The situation escalated when four members of Gething’s cabinet resigned, calling for his departure. This exodus made his position untenable and led to his announcement to step down, marking him as one of the shortest-serving First Ministers in Welsh history.

Andrew RT Davies MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, criticised the current state of Welsh Labour, highlighting the ongoing infighting and its impact on the governance of Wales. “With Labour’s infighting set to continue and Vaughan Gething not able to fill the seats in his ‘caretaker cabinet’, it’s the people of Wales who will continue to suffer, as Labour continues to take Wales for granted,” Davies stated.

He further questioned the credibility of Labour’s promise of a ‘new’ style of government, as pledged by Keir Starmer if elected on 4th July. “By backing Vaughan Gething, Keir Starmer’s judgement as well as his actions make this promise worthless. Welsh Labour clearly still clings onto the belief of party before country, and it remains to be seen whether this shrunken Cabinet will be any worse than a full Welsh Labour Government,” Davies added. He called for clarity on the appointment of a new First Minister, emphasizing the need for stable leadership for the people of Wales.

The timetable for the Welsh Labour Leadership Election has been meticulously outlined. Key dates include:

• Tuesday, 16 July 2024: Membership freeze date.
• Saturday, 20 July 2024: Welsh Executive Committee (WEC) to form Procedures Committee and open nominations at 7pm.
• Wednesday, 24 July 2024: Closing of MS nominations at 12pm, followed by the announcement of prospective candidates at 3pm.
• Monday, 19 August 2024: Closing of nominations from CLPs and affiliated organisations by 12pm, with the announcement of candidates at 5pm.
• Tuesday, 20 August 2024: Deadline for candidate withdrawal from the process by 5pm, followed by a hustings period until 6 September 2024.
• Thursday, 22 August 2024: Ballot opens, running for three weeks.
• Friday, 13 September 2024: Ballot closes.
• Saturday, 14 September 2024: Announcement of the new Leader of Welsh Labour.
• Tuesday, 17 September 2024: Final First Minister’s Questions (FMQs).
• Wednesday, 18 September 2024: Election of the new First Minister.

These dates, while tentative, provide a structured pathway towards stabilising the leadership of Welsh Labour and subsequently, the governance of Wales. The upcoming announcement will undoubtedly set the stage for an intense period of political activity, as candidates vie for the leadership position and the chance to guide Wales through its current challenges.