IN a surprising move, First Minister Vaughan Gething has dismissed Delyn MS Hannah Blythyn from her role as Minister for Social Partnership in the Welsh Government. The announcement was made in a brief statement this morning, with Mr Gething saying, “I have today asked the Minister for Social Partnership, Hannah Blythyn, to leave Government.”
Mr Gething expressed his appreciation for Ms Blythyn’s contributions, stating, “I would like to put on record my gratitude for the work the Member for Delyn has led in Government since 2017, most notably her leadership on the LGBTQ+ Action Plan for Wales, the fire and rescue services review, and our valuable work with social partners.” Despite these acknowledgments, the statement provided no reason for Blythyn’s dismissal.
Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies MS, was quick to criticise Mr Gething’s leadership. “Vaughan Gething’s decisions during the Labour leadership campaign are catching up with him,” Davies remarked. “Just weeks into his time as First Minister, Vaughan Gething has had to sack somebody from his Cabinet, which is almost unprecedented in recent memory in Wales. Vaughan Gething needs to prove quickly that he is capable of governing Wales, because as it stands his government is being stretched to breaking point by internal divisions.”
Hannah Blythyn was appointed as Minister for Social Partnership in March 2024, shortly after Vaughan Gething formed his new cabinet upon becoming First Minister. Her responsibilities included the implementation of the Social Partnership and Public Procurement Act, overseeing the Social Partnership Council, promoting the Living Wage, and supporting sectors such as tourism, hospitality, and retail.
Ms Blythyn’s ministerial career began in November 2017 when she joined the Welsh Government focusing on environmental issues. A proud trade unionist, she previously led political and policy work for Unite in Wales, advocating for issues such as blacklisting, justice for victims of asbestos-related diseases, protection for rural workers, and tackling bogus self-employment.
