In his acceptance speech Mr Gething said: “Today, we turn a page in the book of our nation’s history”
By Adrian Browne
BBC Wales political reporter
Vaughan Gething is set to be Wales’ next first minister after narrowly winning the Welsh Labour leadership election with 51.7% of the vote.
Mr Gething, who will become the first black man to lead Wales, beat his only rival Jeremy Miles, who took 48.3%.
He is expected to replace Mark Drakeford as first minister next week.
Mr Gething is currently economy minister in Mr Drakeford’s cabinet and celebrated his 50th birthday on Friday.
As soon as the announcement had been made, Mr Gething received a huge hug from his young son.
Mr Miles left the Cardiff University building where the result was announced without speaking to the media, but later issued a written statement congratulating Mr Gething.
In his acceptance speech Mr Gething praised his predecessor, describing Mr Drakeford as the “right leader at the right time in the pandemic”.
“It’s true we will be forever in his debt for his forensic approach to public policy through that time,” he said.
He also praised his rival, Mr Miles, who would have been Wales’ first gay leader if he had been the victor.
Mr Gething said the education minister had given a “new hope” to Welsh boys and girls “who might have otherwise have thought very differently about public life here”.
Turning to his victory, he said: “Today, we turn a page in the book of our nation’s history. A history we write together.
“Not just because I have the honour of becoming the first black leader in any European country – but because the generational dial has jumped too.”
Image source, Getty Images
Vaughan Gething said a page was being turned “in the book of our nation’s history”
He also emphasised his commitment to devolution, calling it “not something I have had to get used to or adapt to or apologise for”.
“Devolution – Welsh solutions to Welsh problems – that’s in my blood. It’s what I’ve always known.”
‘Trust that must be continually earned’
In his statement, Mr Miles said: “I congratulate Vaughan on his election. I wish him every success for Wales’ future.”
Thanking his supporters, he said he was “incredibly proud of the passion, dedication, integrity and professionalism of our campaign”.
“I’m also proud that we secured support from a clear majority of Welsh Labour Senedd members, council leaders and deputies, CLPs [Constituency Labour Parties], and across our trades unions, MPs, peers and the all member vote of the Co-operative Party.”
Image source, Getty Images
Jeremy Miles said he was “incredibly proud” of his campaign
In what might be a reference to the controversy over donations to the new Welsh Labour leader’s campaign, Mr Miles said serving the people of Wales was “an honour and responsibility underpinned by trust that must be continually earned”.
Mr Gething accepted £200,000 for his campaign from a company run by a man twice convicted for environmental offences.
David Neal was given a suspended prison sentence in 2013 for illegally dumping waste on a conservation site.
Four years later he was prosecuted again for not removing it.
‘Serious allegations’
Mr Gething has said that all the donations were declared to the Senedd but Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth called on him to return the cash.
Plaid is in the final year of a three-year agreement with Labour Welsh ministers on a series of policies, including increasing the number of Senedd members.
Mr ap Iorwerth said it was a “matter of deep concern that we now have an incoming first minister who, before even taking up the highest public office, is facing serious allegations and questions about his judgement”.
“At the very least, Vaughan Gething should surely return the £200,000 campaign donation which has rightly drawn so much criticism from within his own party and beyond.”
The leader of the biggest opposition party in the Welsh Parliament, Conservative Andrew RT Davies, congratulated him on his win but warned “Wales can expect more of the same with Vaughan Gething as first minister”.
“Gething has been part of a Labour Welsh government that has presided over record NHS waiting lists, the steepest decline in educational standards in the UK, the highest business rates in Britain, and is committed to the 20mph speed limit.”
