The State of Wales is Bleak: Vaughan Gething's Resignation

The state of Wales is bleak, in limbo for the foreseeable future. A nation of poets, singers and warriors ranging from Dylan Thomas’ Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night to Owain Gylndŵr’s Revolt in the 1400s, against both Henry IV and V, being a symbol not just of Welsh nationalism but overall of identity, a spirit unchained that acts as a meaningful reminder. With such a rich, splendid ineffable history, it is clear that the current affairs and modern workings of politics in Wales should be symmetrical, comparative and similar. 

Recently, First Minister of Wales, Vaughan Gething, has announced his resignation. After controversy over campaign financing during his election to become leader of the Welsh Labour Party, accepting £200,000 from millionaire David Neal’s recycling company, an individual who has been found guilty of not only breaching health and service regulatory measures but serious environmental damage. In return, Vaughan Gething lobbied the Welsh government to stop investigating him, to then provide £400,000 worth of government loans to the individual. Gething also lied to the COVID Inquiry, telling ministers to delete any remains of texts or WhatsApp messages during the pandemic, to then sack the ex-minister for Social Partnership, Hanna Blyhtyn, for leaking that message. 

To make matters worse, In the wake of this criticism, Gething refused to submit to a vote of no confidence, which saw 29 Members of the Senedd vote in favour of his resignation and 27 against, Gething ignored the non-binding vote, proclaiming “I’m going to carry on doing my duty”, feeling as if he just crossed the rubicon, staying in his governmental position and crowning himself as the unopposed leader of the party. In retaliation, his cabinet reminded him he was no Caesar, seizing the opportunity to force Vaughan Gething out as 4 Welsh cabinet ministers have resigned from their positions in protest. 

His resignation, however – was not in good grace. When announcing it, he stated “A growing assertion of some kind of wrongdoing has taken place has been pernicious, politically motivated and patently untrue”, continuing to deny and take up any shred of responsibility in a political sphere where looking out for the self rather than the country is a standard as a public servant. It is saddening that a country, known for, prided for, its beauty, generosity and compassion is overshadowed by the plain unprofessional nature of its First Minister. 

However, if it was politically motivated, the motivation would be in the right place. Wales under 25 years of Labour rule has stagnated, progression is apathetic and their efforts are put into the wrong place, visible with the introduction of the default speed limit being 20mph. There is no doubt there has been a progression in Wales under Labour. The identity of Wales has been exasperated and rightly pushed at the centre of the nation. Being the least endangered Celtic language, the amount of Welsh speakers has greatly increased, reviving a language with not just historical value, but social value between communities and the population at large. But change needs to happen and the Vaughan Gething situation highlights this. Change though isn’t easy in Wales, just like the United States and our general election, the lack of choice stands out. The Labour Party as mentioned looks very similar to the SNP currently, Plaid Cymru, the Nationalist independence-insisting party, will never gain true momentum, linking arms with Labour in the past, and the Conservatives are voted based on the fact they are the opposition, but what they provide is weak not just due to their urge of economic liberalism, knowing Wales’ strong socialist past, but on how rigid it can be with its views on the Union of the United Kingdom, looking like a puppet to the Westminister Conservatives, seeming as if they don’t want to spearhead Welsh identity. Yet, it must be remembered that the threat of the right in Wales mustn’t be underestimated. During the 2016 European Union Referendum, 52.5% voted to Leave and in the general election the same year, UKIP won 7 seats, more than the general election in 2015. 

The answer for the state of Wales is indeed difficult. A solution seems very bleak and as a result, it is up to the tides of general politics to make a real change. Keir Starmer’s relationship with the Welsh government, though questionable that Starmer took little distance to separate Gething during the election, may continue the domination of Labour in Wales, almost blessing it with his outstanding 412 seats. What’s certain is the fact that there needs to be some serious redirection in Wales, a change that will stop the public feeling apathetic towards the government and one which is radical. Wales has the capability, and so do other Welsh parties like the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, in proving that they can continue to harness and work alongside the Red Dragon.