By a Welsh Labour Grassroots spokesperson
Vaughan Gething’s resignation hopefully brings to an end a difficult period in Welsh Labour’s history, during which the Party suffered reputational damage that no doubt contributed to our reduced vote-share in the general election. This is not to say that Welsh Labour would otherwise have faced no challenges; our public standing had already been affected by controversies over issues like the default 20 mph limit – however misguided and misdirected criticism on that point may have been – and by the failure to take a more robust line than the UK leadership in support of the people of Gaza.
The Party in Wales had not, for many years, been affected by any perceived impropriety; indeed, Mark Drakeford’s leadership was a byword for probity. Vaughan may not have broken any rules in accepting a £200,000 donation from a businessman with convictions for environmental crimes, but he showed very poor judgement in doing so. He was arrogantly dismissive when concerns were subsequently, repeatedly and from all quarters, raised about the matter. The same arrogance was apparent in his treatment of Hannah Blythyn, whom he sacked without due process for allegedly (and which she vehemently denies) alerting the media to his own deletion of messages that should have been made public. The unflagging criticism on both these points ultimately made his position untenable.
It seems significant, however, that it was the resignations of four of his own ministers that forced Vaughan’s hand. It is difficult to imagine that the undoubted concerns of thousands of ordinary Labour members and supporters could have brought about the same outcome any time in the foreseeable future. While the ministers in question deserve credit for their bold and public-spirited action, a truly democratic Party would not leave all the initiative in such matters in the hands of powerful politicians.
It would be best if a proper choice for leader was now put to members. The likely outcome of the current situation, however, is that Jeremy Miles, whom Vaughan defeated by such a narrow margin in March, will now take his place. While this may represent a small improvement in some respects – such as leadership style, the ability to listen to varied voices, and commitment to further devolution – the political differences between Vaughan and Jeremy were always fairly slight. Moreover, a coronation will do nothing to restore the confidence of the rank and file. Welsh Labour should organise the most inclusive and meaningful leadership process that can be accommodated by the Senedd’s standing orders timetable.
The incoming leader – whether Jeremy or anyone else – should also revive the commitment to democratic renewal of the Party that characterised the early years of Mark Drakeford’s leadership. There must be a break with the cynical manoeuvring that saw last-minute candidates imposed on Welsh constituencies. For the 2026 Senedd elections, Welsh Labour has lumbered Wales with a deeply unaccountable closed list system. If it is too late to unpick this during the next two years, then robust measures must be put in place to ensure that Party members have real influence over candidate selections.
The new leader should also be willing to embrace the frankness that Mark Drakeford occasionally displayed about UK Labour policy and use their voice to help remind Keir Starmer that the people who voted Labour on 4th July need and expect to see real change. To disappoint them would no doubt deliver further gains for the appalling Reform UK who are poised to benefit from voter disillusionment. Real change must mean driving down inequality with meaningful measures, starting in the King’s Speech with transformative policies for a fair and just society.
The Welsh Labour Grassroots statement on the resignation can be read here.
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