WELSH politicians jockeyed for position to replace Vaughan Gething as First Minister but concern was expressed that Wales faced an industrial crisis as ministerial vacancies remained unfilled today.

Four political heavyweights stepped down on Tuesday in a co-ordinated move to force Mr Gething’s resignation.

But the posts remained vacant late today as Senedd members waited for the outgoing First Minister to make appointments for the summer, as the recess starts this week.

Mr Gething told the Senedd on Tuesday that the timetable for a leadership election would be agreed at Saturday’s meeting of the Welsh Labour executive.

But that means the ousted First Minister will remain in post until a successor is elected, and has to fill the four vacancies.

But as Mr Gething’s supporters in the Senedd vented their fury at his being forced out of office, the language was of revenge and stopping Jeremy Miles, one of those who resigned their posts, from winning the top job.

Speaking about the industrial crisis at Port Talbot’s Tata Steel steelworks and the coming closure of the second blast furnace, Plaid Cymru’s economy spokesman Luke Fletcher bemoaned the “leadership vacuum engulfing the country. 

“The resignation of the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language has happened against a backdrop of one of the biggest industrial crises since the closure of the mines in the 1980s.

“The resignations come at a critical juncture, leaving the country without effective political leadership during a period of unprecedented turmoil for steelworkers in Port Talbot, who remain threatened by job losses.

“We need evidence that governments haven’t given up on saving jobs in the Welsh steel industry, but the Welsh government’s lack of direction and stability at a time when decisive action is most needed is deeply worrying.”

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew Davies applied for an urgent Senedd debate this afternoon to discuss the ministerial vacancies but this was turned down.

“With the Welsh government now missing four ministers, people in Wales will rightly want to know how those ministers’ portfolio responsibilities will be carried out while a new First Minister is selected,” Mr Davies said. 

“The First Minister should now appoint a new interim Cabinet while that process takes place.”