In a significant move, four ministers have stepped down from their positions in the Welsh government in protest against the leadership of Vaughan Gething.
Ministers’ Resignation
Mick Antoniw, Julie James, Lesley Griffiths, and Jeremy Miles have tendered their resignations, expressing to the first minister that they are unable to carry out their duties “without your resignation.”
Recent Political Developments
This development follows a month after Mr. Gething faced a vote of no confidence, which he dismissed as a “gimmick” and pledged to continue in his role.
Counsel general Mr. Antoniw, in his resignation letter, remarked that the Senedd was directionless without a new leader and urged Mr. Gething to prioritize the country’s interests.
In a candid assessment, Mr. Antoniw stated, “Wales needs a secure and effective government. I lack confidence in your ability to provide that.”
Mr. Antoniw emphasized the significance of the confidence vote results in the Senedd and the necessity for a new leader to restore stability and direction.
Similarly, in his resignation letter from the position of Welsh economy secretary, Mr. Miles conveyed to Mr. Gething that the current circumstances were unsustainable.
Mr. Miles noted, “Recent events, including the vote of no confidence in the Senedd, have been deeply troubling. It is imperative that we start the healing process immediately, and unfortunately, I believe this cannot be achieved under your leadership.”
Leadership Challenges
Mr. Gething’s tenure as First Minister has been marred by various challenges, including the dismissal of former minister Hannah Blythyn and controversies surrounding donations received during his pursuit of the Welsh Labour leadership.
These issues culminated in the breakdown of a cooperation agreement with Plaid Cymru and his subsequent defeat in a non-binding no-confidence vote within the Senedd.
Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving news story. For the latest developments, please refresh the page.
Stay Updated
For real-time updates, you can enable breaking news alerts on your smartphone through the Sky News app. Follow @SkyNews on X and subscribe to our YouTube channel for the most recent news coverage.