Vaughan Gething Makes History as Wales’ First Black First Minister
Vaughan Gething has been elected as the first Black first minister of Wales, making history as the first Black leader of a U.K. government. The Welsh parliament members voted to elect Gething just four days after he won the leadership contest for Wales’ Labour Party.
Securing 27 out of 51 votes in the Senedd, where Labour is the largest party, Gething expressed his pride in being the son of a Welsh father and Zambian mother. He referred to Wales as the first nation in Europe to be led by a Black person and emphasized his desire to lead a country that celebrates differences and unity.
Gething’s appointment is to be approved by King Charles III, making Wales a part of the United Kingdom. As the first minister, Gething will be responsible for important budget items like education and health. He has previously served as both health minister and economy minister, taking office amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new leader takes over a Welsh government that is often at odds with Sunak’s Conservative administration in London. Gething has faced some controversy over donations from a recycling company that was guilty of environmental offenses, but he maintains that the donations were properly declared.
With Vaughan Gething’s election, three of the U.K.’s four governments now have nonwhite leaders, signaling a significant shift in the country’s political landscape. As he steps into his new role, Gething is poised to bring a fresh perspective to Welsh governance and further promote diversity and inclusion in the region.
