Vaughan Gething is to face a vote of no confidence next week after less than three months in office – in what is a huge blow for the First Minister.
This morning, the Welsh Conservatives submitted a motion following months of turmoil around controversial donations during the First Minister’s election campaign. The vote will take next week on June 5.
The donation row created a turbulent start to Gething’s premiership with Labour Party politicians across Cardiff Bay and Westminster revealing their unease.
The vote could also cause a fresh headache for Sir Keir Starmer who could be on track to pick up 28 out of 32 seats in Wales at the general election. But the no confidence vote could derail Labour’s lead in Wales.
Vaughan Gething could face a vote of no confidence next week, in a huge blow for the First Minister
PA
Andrew RT Davies MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives said Gething’s first months in the job have been marred by scandal and controversy.
“Next week Senedd Members will have the chance to have their say on Vaughan Gething’s judgement, his transparency, and his truthfulness.
“The litany of unanswered questions has paralysed the Welsh Government to the point that Gething has been completely unable to take action to address record NHS waiting lists, sliding educational attainment and high economic inactivity.
“It’s time to put an end to the obfuscation, the drift and the infighting and vote no confidence in Vaughan Gething.”
£200,000 was given to Mr Gething’s leadership campaign by a company owned by a man twice convicted of environmental offences. £31,600 was left over from the sum, but earlier this month it was revealed UK Labour will not receive the surplus following concerns over the donation.
But despite UK Labour distancing itself from the money, when questioned in March Starmer publicly backed Gething.
“The First Minister has explained his actions, he has not broken any rules and that’s the end of the matter.”
Recent polling done by Redfield & Wilton Strategies showed 70% of Welsh voters think Gething should return the donation, up from 65% in late April.
Pressure has been mounting ever since Gething took office. Plaid Cymru terminated its cooperation deal with Labour over the turmoil earlier this month.
The Party Leader, Rhun Ap Iorwerth said at the time he questioned Mr Gething’s decision not to pay back the £200,000 and was worried by the circumstances of which he sacked his minister Hannah Blythyn following a row over a leaked text.
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Gething also faced criticism from his own back benchers surrounding the £200,000 donation. Labour MS, Lee Waters has called on his boss Vaughan Gething to return the money. He said he was “deeply uncomfortable with the way I’m now in effect being expected to endorse something I just think is wrong”.
In order for a no confidence vote to succeed Plaid Cymru (minus the Llwydd Elin Jones), Liberal Democrat Jane Dodds and Rhys Ab Owen will have to vote with the Welsh Conservatives – as well as one Labour member abstention or a vote against.
Labour’s Lee Waters, Alun Davies and former leadership rival Jeremy Miles have all condemned Gething on the record over the donation. However, with Labour this close to power in Westminster during an election period, it will be very unlikely that Labour MS’ will back the Welsh Conservatives’ calls to oust the Welsh First Minister.
The vote of no confidence is expected to take place next week.