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Former First Minister Vaughan Gething has confirmed he will not stand at the 2026 Senedd election.

Mr Gething, who stepped down as First Minister last month, has represented the Cardiff South and Penarth seat in the Senedd since 2011.

He became First Minister in March, succeeding Mark Drakeford, and became the first-ever black person to lead a European nation in the process.

However, his time in office was beset by problems, with a row around donations to his campaign from a convicted polluter and the sacking of a minister accused of leaking information to the media.

He lost a vote of no confidence in the Senedd in June, before four members of his cabinet quit the frontbench in protest at his leadership.

He announced his intention to step down as First Minister and Welsh Labour leader in July, with Eluned Morgan coming in to replace him in August.

Mr Gething confirmed he had told members of his local Labour party of his intention not to seek re-election, and thanked them for their support over the last 13 years.

He said he had informed the First Minister of his decision and would support her from the backbenches, describing Baroness Morgan as a “fantastic public servant who always puts country first”.

Mr Gething vowed to continue serving his constituency and added: “As a Welshman born in Zambia, it has been a great honour to serve in the Welsh Government for over a decade.

“The opportunity to make a difference alongside inspiring people and movements, determined to make change happen, is a special privilege – one I will always be grateful for, and proud of.”