Home Politics Vaughan Gething Emerges as Wales’ First Black Leader
PoliticsWorld

Vaughan Gething Emerges as Wales’ First Black Leader

461
Vaughan Gething

Vaughan Gething was elected the new leader of the Welsh Labour Party, making him the first Black leader of Wales and its semi-autonomous government.

The victory was announced on Saturday, March 16, and Gething will take over as the head of one of the U.K.’s devolved administrations.

Gething, 50, the son of a Welsh father and Zambian mother, secured his position by narrowly defeating Education Minister Jeremy Miles, garnering 51.7% of the votes. His election signified a milestone for racial diversity in political leadership within the U.K. and across Europe.

In his victory speech, the outgoing Welsh economy minister and former health minister during the COVID-19 pandemic emphasised the significance of his win for Wales and its future: “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. I want us to use this moment as a starting point for a more confident march into the future,” he declared.

Gething will succeed Mark Drakeford, who announced his resignation last year. Upon confirmation by the Welsh parliament on Wednesday, March 20, Gething will become the fifth First Minister of Wales since the establishment of its national legislature in 1999.

His election also means that three of the U.K.’s four governments will now have nonwhite leaders, with U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of Indian heritage and Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf of Pakistani heritage.

Read: NCC confirms restoration of voice and data services disrupted by undersea cable cuts

About The Author

Related Articles

one-party state in Tinubu's administration
Politics

Nigeria Drifting Toward a One-Party State Under Tinubu — A Contradiction of His Own Words

Two years into President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Nigeria appears to be gradually...

Umo Join APC
NewsPolitics

Akwa Ibom Governor Eno Dumps PDP Following West Africa Weekly’s Report

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has officially dumped the Peoples...

Cuba has officially announced its decision to participate in South Africa's legal action at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel, concerning Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip.
OpinionWorld

The War on Gaza – An African Perspective

The carnage in Gaza has been ongoing since 1947, though the mainstream...

Rotimi Amaechi
NewsPolitics

Nigeria: INEC Blocking New Party Registrations – Rotimi Amaechi

Former Governor of Rivers State and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has...