THE First Minister of Wales, Vaughan Gething, faces intensified scrutiny as Plaid Cymru abruptly terminates its cooperation agreement with the Labour Party. Rhun ap Iorwerth, the Plaid leader, expressed his pride in the achievements of the partnership but voiced significant concerns over a controversial £200,000 donation to Mr Gething’s leadership campaign. The donation originated from Dauson Environmental Group, a company led by a figure with two prior convictions for environmental violations.
This political rupture follows a week of upheaval in the Senedd, exacerbated by Mr Gething’s dismissal of Hannah Blythyn, his minister for social partnership, amid allegations of leaked communications. This incident caps off a string of challenges facing the First Minister since assuming office in March.
Plaid’s decision to withdraw their support could complicate Labour’s efforts to secure a majority for upcoming legislative challenges, notably passing the next budget. With the Welsh government holding exactly half the seats in the Senedd, alternative alliances, possibly with the Welsh Liberal Democrats, may become necessary.
Political analyst David Deans notes that the timing of Plaid’s withdrawal adds a layer of political jeopardy for Mr Gething, coinciding with murmurs of a potential no-confidence motion by the Conservatives aimed at unseating him. However, Mick Antoniw, a senior cabinet member, has asserted full support for the First Minister from within the party, stating a unified front in the face of any forthcoming challenges.
The initial cooperation agreement, crafted in December 2021 under the former First Minister Mark Drakeford, was not a formal coalition but a strategic alliance on 46 policy areas, facilitating key legislative successes. Its premature end heralds a significant shift in the political landscape, with Plaid now possibly free to support a no-confidence motion without conflict from prior commitments.
In an interview, Mr ap Iorwerth criticized Mr Gething’s judgement regarding the £200,000 donation and suggested that it reflected poorly on his integrity and governance, stating that “a change in attitude by the Welsh government” had also influenced Plaid’s decision.
Meanwhile, Mr Gething remains resolute in his position, defending his leadership and the accomplishments under the now-dissolved cooperation agreement. He highlighted ongoing commitments to Welsh-language education and fair housing, despite the current political strife.
As the Welsh political theatre continues to evolve, the ramifications of this dissolution on the governance and legislative progress in Wales remain to be fully seen.
