3 months ago
18
One of the most significant figures of the devolution era will leave the Senedd in 2026.
But Vaughan Gething's significance isn't always something he'd perhaps be comfortable with.
His short reign as first minister will be remembered for the row over donations and then the leaked text messages.
Deep divides emerged in Welsh Labour over both, and it remains to be seen how much division still exists amongst the party's Senedd members.
Neither his nor his successor's short statements mention explicitly what happened earlier this year.
For some of his own, and opposition politicians, a perceived lack of contrition compounded Mr Gething's problems.
But he was also a trailblazer: the first black leader of a European nation.
During Covid, he was health minister in the hardest days at the start of the pandemic and responsible for Wales' impressive roll-out of the vaccines.
And he was a vociferous campaigner for devolution itself during the 1990s.
In the short term, his announcement does solve a potential headache for the current first minister as Eluned Morgan is expected to reshuffle her cabinet this week.
She doesn't need to worry now about whether to include Mr Gething in it.
He has been involved in Welsh politics for more than 30 years, including some of its most controversial moments.
The Member of the Senedd (MS) for Cardiff South and Penarth has been under the spotlight for most of 2024.
We still don't know if he will face a recall to the Covid inquiry over the leaks.
And, given his history, whatever he decides to do after 2026 will - initially at least - attract similar levels of attention.
