London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Apr 26, 2025

Vaughan Gething Poised to be Wales' First Black Leader

Vaughan Gething is on track to become Wales' first black First Minister, having edged out opponent Jeremy Miles with 51.7% of the vote in the Welsh Labour leadership race.
Congratulatory messages have been extended by figures such as UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, while Plaid Cymru voices concerns regarding Gething's campaign donations from a waste firm involved in legal controversies.

Gething's leadership bid was clouded by a £200,000 contribution from Dauson Environmental Group, whose owner has faced environmental offence prosecutions.

Amidst this backdrop, Welsh Government Minister Julie James advocates for a revamp of leadership campaign protocols.

Following Mark Drakeford's anticipated resignation after his last parliamentary questions session, Gething is set to assume office.

Son of a Zambian mother and Welsh father, Gething, initially a lawyer, entered politics in the Welsh Parliament in 2011, presently serving as Economy Minister.

Celebrating his 50th birthday recently, Gething has received well-wishes from Starmer, who anticipates an energetic Welsh Labour government under his leadership, and Prime Minister Sunak, who welcomed the prospect of reinvigorated Welsh governance on social media.

Although the victory moment was warmly marked by Gething's son, Miles departed the announcement venue without media interaction but later issued a written acknowledgment, hinting at the need for Welsh Labour to continuously foster public trust, possibly referencing the donation dispute.

Gething, in his victory speech, lauded Drakeford for his leadership during the pandemic, acknowledged Mile's potential as Wales' first gay leader, and championed his win as a historic leap for diversity and a commitment to devolution.

The donation issue remains at the forefront, as Gething received £200,000 from a company owned by twice-convicted David John Neal. Despite the criticism, Gething maintains that regulations were duly followed and expresses a steadfast dedication to stringent environmental oversight.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has pressed Gething to return the donation amidst substantial party and public criticism, while affirming the necessity for collaboration within the Senedd. Climate Change Minister Julie James calls for an election protocol review in the aftermath of the funding controversy.

Conservative opposition leader Andrew RT Davies congratulates Gething but cautions that his leadership likely spells no significant deviation from the past Labour government's track record on healthcare, education, business rates, and traffic speed limits.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Alberta's Push for Independence Raises Questions About Canada's National Unity
Virginia Giuffre, Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein accuser, dies by suicide
"China has survived for five thousand years, most of it without the United States as a market, and it can easily continue to survive without the U.S. market for another five thousand years — no problem," said a China analyst.
Elites vs. America: How Democrats Lost the Plot and the People
Pam Bondi Details Wisconsin Judge’s Actions Before Arrest: 'Can't Make This Up'
Not Child’s Play: How Competitive Gaming Became a Global Economic Empire
California Surpasses Japan to Become the World’s Fourth-Largest Economy
Peter Navarro: The Man Behind Trump’s Tariff Madness
Milwaukee Judge Arrested on Allegations of Aiding Undocumented Immigrant’s Escape
Former U.S. Congressman George Santos sentenced to eighty-seven months for wide-ranging fraud
Trump administration moves to BAN essentially ALL artificial food dyes in the USA food supply at RFK Jr.'s direction
Woman slaps man at sports game and gets herself and husband beat up
Pope Francis: head of the Catholic church who pushed for social and economic justice
China do not pay these tariffs - you pay it. This is new 145% tax you pay to the US government.
Nightlife in the streets of Manchester
In God We Profit
Cultural Battles in the Vatican: The Candidates in the Battle for the Holy See and Pope Francis's Testament
Global Leaders Pay Tribute to Pope Francis Following His Death
Wild Chimpanzees Observed Bonding Over Alcoholic Fruit
US Federal Reserve Chair Issues Warning on Tariff Impact
UK Prison Officers Demand Electric Stun Guns Amid Safety Concerns
China, China, China!
Australian National Charged as Mercenary for Fighting in Ukraine
Israel Considers Limited Strikes on Iran's Nuclear Facilities Amid Diplomatic Efforts
Prince Andrew Joins Royal Family Attends Easter Sunday Service at Windsor Castle
Saudi Arabia Offers Max Verstappen Unprecedented Deal to Join Aston Martin
Global Pistachio Shortage Amid Rising Demand for 'Dubai Chocolate'
Trump is assembling a coalition of Western leaders aligned with the MAGA vision, strengthening a unified front for global change
IMF Predicts No Global Recession Amid Trade Tensions
Here’s a police officer with a brilliant gift for swift education
"Some complain that we put thousands in prison. In reality, we set millions free."
This is Vienna, Austria in 2025.
Boeing Jet Returns to US from China Amid Tariff War
Canadian Federal Election: Candidates' Positions on US-Canada Relations and Donald Trump
Resentencing Hearing for Menendez Brothers Who Killed Their Parents Delayed Amid Legal Disputes
Australian Woman Gives Birth To Stranger's Baby In IVF Mix-up
US Sets Deadline for Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal Brokerage
Italy Introduces 'Sex Rooms' in Prisons for Inmates
California Launches Legal Challenge Against Trump Administration's Tariffs
"Groundless": China Dismisses Zelensky's Claims It's Supplying Arms To Russia
UK Psytrance Festival Cancelled Amid Local Protests Over Noise Concerns
French Far-Right Writer Renaud Camus Denied Entry to UK
UK Police Force Updates Search Policy for Trans Individuals in Custody
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Meets with Donald Trump to Discuss EU-US Trade Tensions
Canada's Federal Party Leaders Engage in Final Debate Ahead of General Election
Ukraine and US Sign Outline of Minerals Deal
Fast Food Chain Refuses to Apologize for Online Comment About Katy Perry's Space Voyage
New York Attorney General Letitia James Faces Criminal Referral for Alleged Mortgage Fraud
Mark Cuban admits support for Trump executive order: ‘Gotta be honest’
US Senator Meets with Deported Immigrant in El Salvador Amid Custody Dispute
×