Vaughan Gething’s victory to become Wales’s first minister was a historic moment, not just for the nation – but for Europe.
Upon his win, Mr Gething said it was an “honour” to be voted in as the first black leader of any European nation.
He said devolution was “in [his] blood” and finding “Welsh solutions to Welsh problems” was what he had “always known”.
But the problems he faced during his short but turbulent time in office were many.
Allegations of a union nomination stitch-up emerged during the leadership campaign.
Critics also questioned Mr Gething’s judgement and said he should not have accepted a £200k donation from a convicted environmental offender.
Mr Gething said the donation was within the rules and declared in line with party protocols. He refused calls for the money to be returned.
His supporters argued Mr Gething had been “held to a higher standard” because he was black.
Welsh Labour‘s Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Committee said the treatment of him in the media had gone beyond what could be described as “fair scrutiny”.
Familiar face
For many, Mr Gething had become one of the most familiar faces in Welsh politics.
He was the man tasked with running the Welsh NHS during the COVID pandemic and fronted frequent news conferences, providing updates on the latest rules and regulations in Wales.
Some bereaved families who lost loved ones to COVID have called for the government’s decisions to be scrutinised by an independent inquiry specific to Wales – calls which have so far been refused.
He then sacked Hannah Blythyn, who was the deputy minister for social partnership, in May for allegedly leaking to the media – allegations she denies.
Mr Gething was seen by some as the continuity candidate to build on Mark Drakeford’s legacy.
But some of his predecessor’s policies have been U-turned, either partially or fully, during his brief spell in office.
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Some roads which had their speeds reduced to 20mph last year could return to 30mph after a review into the default limit.
The Sustainable Farming Scheme, which would see farmers having to meet a series of environmental obligations in return for financial support, was delayed after significant opposition.
A council tax shake-up was pushed back to 2028 and plans to cut Welsh schools’ summer holiday were also delayed until the next Senedd term.
The latter decision prompted an outburst from former first minister Mr Drakeford, who criticised his own party’s education secretary.
But at a time when every vote counted, an agreement which saw Plaid Cymru support the Labour government on dozens of key policy areas came to an abrupt end, after the Welsh nationalists decided to withdraw their support.
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Some weeks later, Mr Gething lost a non-binding vote of no confidence 29-27 after two Labour members did not attend due to illness.
The members were sacked minister Ms Blythyn, and former deputy climate change minister Lee Waters who had previously criticised Mr Gething’s acceptance of the £200k donation.
Earlier on Tuesday, four ministers resigned from the Welsh government.
‘Historic significance’
This was not the premiership Mr Gething would have hoped for, and with it cut so short there was limited opportunity to forge a legacy in policy terms.
But in his campaign to become first minister, Mr Gething said he accepted and understood “the historic significance of what [his] victory would mean”.
“It would mean that everyone in Wales – whatever their background – could see further proof that their potential can be realised here in Wales,” he said.
That, his supporters believe, is as great a legacy as any.
