Vaughan Gething confirmed as Wales’s new first minister | UK News

Vaughan Gething has been confirmed as Wales’s new first minister after a vote of Senedd members.

Mr Gething was elected leader of Welsh Labour on Saturday and was announced as first minister after Mark Drakeford formally stood down on Tuesday.

He said becoming the first black leader of any European nation was “a matter of pride”, but also a “daunting responsibility”.

He was supported by 27 members – all Labour Senedd members present as well as Welsh Liberal Democrat leader, Jane Dodds.

Former first minister Mr Drakeford nominated Mr Gething for the position.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies were also nominated by their respective parties. They received 11 and 13 respectively.

Vaughan Gething began his statement to the Senedd by paying tribute to his predecessor Mark Drakeford.

“Diolch yn fawr [Thank you very much] Mark for everything you have done for Wales,” he said.

Mr Gething said he looked forward “to standing up for Wales and for devolution in the weeks and months to come”.

“But I relish the opportunity to cooperate for Wales with a new UK government that invests in partnership and in Wales’s future,” he added.

He said he would offer Wales policies “rooted in Welsh values” and “a leadership based on hope”.

“It is very easy not to care about identity, when your own has never once been questioned or held you back,” he said.

“I believe the Wales of today and the future will be owned by all those decent people who recognize that our parliament and our government should look like our country.”

He concluded by saying he wants to lead “a Wales full of hope, ambition and opportunity”.