Vaughan Gething, former First Minister of Wales, has made some bold claims following Welsh Labour’s significant defeat in the recent Senedd elections. Sharing his thoughts, Gething suggests that if he had remained at the helm, Welsh Labour might have avoided the political turmoil of the past two years. Gething, who stepped down in 2024 after a brief yet contentious tenure, argues that Labour’s slide in support is a recent issue, happening over the last year or so.
The 2026 election saw Welsh Labour drop to third place, with Plaid Cymru surging ahead to become the largest party in Senedd. Rhun ap Iorwerth is expected to take the role of First Minister, marking the end of nearly three decades of Labour dominance in Wales. Gething points to internal party friction and lack of discipline as reasons for Labour’s poor performance, emphasising, “You can’t publicly showcase divides within your own party and expect voter support.”
Despite stepping back from public political life, Gething’s reflections suggest he believes a more unified Labour could have presented a stronger, more positive front to the electorate, potentially altering the recent election’s outcome. He hints at internal management struggles within Welsh Labour, noting that handling internal conflicts consumed too much energy.
Gething, who was the first black leader of a European country during his short-lived leadership, exited under a cloud of criticism after controversies and internal resignations. His leadership faced challenges, including public disputes within his team and fallout from a controversial donation. Yet, he remains optimistic that under different circumstances, Labour could have maintained its standing. Would things have been different under his continued leadership? It’s a question that might linger among Labour supporters as they navigate their path forward.