With the outgoing first minister, Mark Drakeford, set to step down from the post next week, Vaughan Gething has been announced as the winner of the Welsh Labour leadership election.
Gething, Wales' economy minister and a former solicitor, was born in Zambia and will become Wales' first Black leader after he ran against Wales' Education Minister Jeremy Miles, also a solicitor, who was born and brought up in the mining town of Pontarddulais
Gething was health minister between 2016 and May 2021, and oversaw Wales' initial response to Covid. In his speech, he said that it was an honour to become Europe's first Black leader after he was voted Welsh Labour leader. The former health and economy minister is due to be confirmed as first minister next week, after Drakeford steps down.
A total of 57.8% of Labour party members took part. There are thought to be about 18,000 of them. A total of 9.4% affiliates took part - people who are members of trade unions and other organizations affiliates to the Labour party.
Following the result, Mr. Gething 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 also jumped.
“Devolution is not something I have had to get used to or adapt to or apologise for,” he said, “it’s in my blood and It’s what I’ve always known.”
“I know we can win the next General Election … We can win if we stand together, linking arms to defeat the narrow forces of division that seek to turn a warm nation cold.”
His challenger, Jeremy Miles, the current minister for education and Welsh language, left the Cardiff University venue without giving interviews. In a statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, he congratulated Mr Gething: "I wish him every success for Wales' future."
"While the result is not what we worked hard for, I am incredibly proud of the passion, dedication, integrity and professionalism of our campaign."
He added: "Welsh Labour has been elected to serve the people of Wales. We must never forget this is an honour and responsibility underpinned by trust that must be continually earned."
