Vaughan Gething has been elected the head of Welsh Labour and will become the first Black leader of a European country when he is confirmed as first minister next week.
Gething described his rise to the top as “an extraordinary point of history” and said he hoped it would encourage other Black people to follow him into public life.
But Gething immediately faced criticism over a £200,000 donation he accepted for his leadership campaign from a company run by a man convicted of environmental offences. Plaid Cymru, which has a cooperation agreement with Labour in the Senedd, called for the money to be paid back.
Gething’s rival for the leadership, the education minister, Jeremy Miles, appeared to have a dig in a statement he released after the result, saying that being elected was “an honour underpinned by trust that must be continually earned”.
The appointment of Gething means the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments are led by men from minority ethnic backgrounds.
In his acceptance speech, Gething, who won with 51.7% of the vote, 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.
“Devolution is 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.”
He promised to improve the Welsh NHS, put green jobs at the forefront of the country’s economic future, build more homes and reliable transport systems, drive up education standards and guide Wales to a more prominent position on the world stage.
Gething, who turned 50 on Friday, said the Welsh people were strongest in adversity. He said the NHS had its roots in Wales and it had shown “heroism and solidarity” during the miners’ strike of 1984-85.
He praised Miles for speaking about his struggles as a young gay man and said this would give new confidence to thousands of Welsh boys and girls.
Turning to the general election, Gething said young people felt weighed down by a Tory party that did not care about their future and that the UK was exhausted by culture wars.
He said Labour could sweep the Tories out of office. “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.”
In interviews after the speech, Gething said he was pleased and proud. Asked about becoming the first Black leader of a European country, he said: “That’s an extraordinary point of history. It means more people can look at public life and think: ‘It really is for me’.” On the donation he said: “The rules have been scrupulously followed. I’ve abided by all the rules.”
Keir Starmer, the leader of the UK Labour party, said: “His appointment as first minister of Wales, the first Black leader in the UK, will be an historic moment that speaks to the progress and values of modern-day Wales.” The former Welsh first minister Carwyn Jones said: “It’s something we can be very proud of in Wales.”
But Plaid Cymru’s leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, said he was concerned about the donation Gething received.
“It is 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 judgment.
“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. This is not as good as it gets for Wales.”
Andrew RT Davies, the leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said: “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.” Davies said he knew Labour backbenchers were upset about the donation.
Julie James, the Welsh climate change minister and a Miles supporter, called for the rules around campaign funding to be reviewed.
Jo Stevens, the shadow Welsh secretary in Westminster, said it was the start of a new era for Labour in Wales and the focus would turn to the general election. She said this was a “once in a generation” opportunity to have a Labour government at both ends of the M4.
The leadership announcement was made in a lecture theatre at sbarc (spark), a new social sciences building at Cardiff University.
There was a standing ovation for the outgoing leader, Mark Drakeford, who said: “He [Gething] will provide the next generation of leadership for the party and I look forward to campaigning with him to deliver the UK Labour government Wales so desperately needs.”
