Gething faces no-confidence vote as scandals cut through

There was no honeymoon period and precious little breathing room for Vaughan Gething to relish the historic achievement of becoming the first black leader of a European country.

- Steven Morris

Since he was chosen as Welsh Labour leader and first minister 11 weeks ago, Gething has faced a slew of allegations about donations, the deletion of messages during the pandemic, and the sacking of a minister.

Tomorrow he will confront what will be his most uncomfortable test yet, a vote of no confidence in the Senedd, the Welsh parliament, tabled by the Conservatives.

UK Labour leaders and strategists dismiss it as mischief making, but there is growing evidence, in polling and doorstep conversations, that the scandals are cutting through to voters.

While it would be an exaggeration to say the issue was top of the agenda at Cardiff market yesterday, people were aware of it. "They're going to get rid of him, aren't they?" said Tim Close, a butcher. "He took £200,000. That looks terrible. It's a lot of money. If someone gives you that, they want something back."

Lynette Ford, who has a knitting stall, was pleased when Gething got in: "He seemed different, but maybe they all just think of themselves."

Gething's tenure has been overshadowed by £200,000 in donations he took from a company whose owner, David Neal, was convicted of dumping waste on the Gwent Levels and criticised over a landfill site in Pembrokeshire described as a "stink bomb on steroids".

The first minister has repeatedly said he followed the rules. He has expressed regret at the impact the donations have had but has not returned the cash.