Vaughan Gething, the First Minister of Wales, announced his resignation on July 16, 2024. Gething became the first black man to be elected as Welsh Labour leader in March of that year but faced criticism and accusations of wrongdoing during his short tenure.
Gething studied at Aberystwyth University and was diagnosed with Nephrotic syndrome during his first year. He was born in Lusaka, Zambia, but moved to Britain as a child due to racial discrimination. Gething made history when he became the first black man to be elected Welsh Labour leader.
However, during his time in Wales' top job, Gething came under attack for his decision to sack a cabinet minister and for concerning donations he accepted while running for leader. This led to the collapse of a cooperation agreement between his party and Plaid Cymru.
Gething had served as a minister for 11 years without making decisions for personal gain or misusing responsibilities. He stated that accusations of wrongdoing were politically motivated and untrue.
Lord Mandelson, a Labour peer, stated that David Lammy and JD Vance are friends and have met several times. Both attended prestigious law schools in the US – Yale Law School for Vance and Harvard Law School for Lammy – and have written books.
Gething's resignation is a blow to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the new Labour administration. He was applauded by colleagues after confirming his intention to quit as first minister.
