MARK DRAKEFORD resigned as leader of the Labour Party in Wales on Wednesday, December 13.

The First Minister announced his decision on the fifth anniversary of his succession from Carwyn Jones.

Although Mr Drakeford said he would step down during the current Senedd term, the timing of his announcement appeared to catch many of his colleagues on the hop.

Labour Party members will choose a new leader and new First Minister. The election process will likely end next March.

MARK DRAKEFORD’S RESIGNATION STATEMENT

The departing First Minister said: “Today, I have formally notified the chair of the Welsh Executive Committee of my intention to stand down as Leader of Welsh Labour in March 2024.

“When I stood for the leadership, I said that, if elected, I would serve for five years.

“Exactly five years have passed since I was confirmed as First Minister in 2018.

“Nominations for my successor as Welsh Labour Leader will open shortly.

“The process will be concluded by the end of the Spring term to enable the winner’s name to be put to the Senedd before the Easter recess.

“In the meantime, I remain your First Minister.

“We have a busy few months ahead of us – full of major events and challenges, which I will be fully focused on:

• A child poverty strategy
• The final report of the independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales
• The future of steel-making in Wales
• The conclusion of consultations about making council tax fairer and the reform of the school year
• Module 2B of the Covid-19 UK Inquiry
• Cooperation Agreement commitments to deliver
• And a Budget to pass.
• “There will be plenty of time for political obituaries and retrospection once I cease to be First Minister.

“But not before.

“In a five-year period, which has seen Wales deal with austerity, Brexit, the covid pandemic, the climate crisis, wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and four different Prime Ministers – so far – there will be lots to reflect on.”

PANDEMIC MASKED LONG-TERM FAILINGS

Mark Drakeford’s bookish demeanour became a strength during the Covid pandemic.

As Westminster foamed and frothed in chaos – actual and apparent, as the Covid Inquiry has revealed – Mr Drakeford’s calm and level tones created a different narrative in Wales.

The appearance of dignified and cautious competence contrasted favourably with Boris Johnson’s erratic scandal-ridden conduct, and Labour reaped the benefits.

Mr Drakeford became the most visible and publicly identifiable First Minister in the history of devolution.

Labour reaped the rewards of his exposure by increasing the number of Senedd Members in May 2021.

For a time, UK Labour courted and paid tribute to the party’s electoral success in Wales. There was a lot of back-slapping and talk of learning from “the Welsh way” of doing things.

Anyone with any real idea about Welsh politics and the Welsh Government’s record could have warned Kier Starmer about the dangers of that approach.

Whatever credit built up during the pandemic rapidly evaporated as long-term and systemic problems in Wales were scrutinised. The state of Welsh public services – especially the NHS, education, and transport infrastructure – is, at best, dismal. And while Mr Drakeford does not carry the can for every failure, he’s done little meaningful to remedy them.

As he pointed out in his resignation statement, Mark Drakeford has been at the heart of Welsh politics for a quarter of a century. His lasting achievements are few.

His most significant measure, the proposed expansion of the Senedd and electoral reform, faces a choppy ride through the Welsh Parliament. The Cooperation Agreement upon which that legislation relies will end with Mr Drakeford’s final departure and is unlikely to be renewed.

As passing Senedd reform relies on Plaid votes – and as Plaid is unhappy with the proposals its previous leader agreed – the case for reform and expansion will come under renewed pressure and scrutiny. And that ignores the significant minority of Labour backbenchers who dislike the proposals.

TRIBUTES TO MARK DRAKEFORD

Paul Butterworth, CEO at Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said: “We would like to thank the First Minister, Mark Drakeford, for his years of public service to Wales, leading the country during a time of tough economic circumstances and a global pandemic with dignity, a time that severely tested businesses and society at large.”

Trade Unions echoed those sentiments.

Transport union TSSA said: “Mark is a principled, honourable man whose resignation is a sad loss to Welsh politics.

“Mark’s resignation, like his career in politics, shows him to be a man of integrity and professionalism.

“He has kept his promise to voters to serve five years in the post and given his successor a fair run in post before the next Senedd elections. He will be sorely missed.”

UNISON Cymru/Wales regional secretary Jess Turner said: “We thank Mark Drakeford for his close relationship with the trade union movement and the social partnership act which he helped deliver to place unions at the heart of decision-making in Wales.

“We look forward to working with the next Welsh Labour leader to prioritise public sector workers and the vital services they provide.”

FUW President Ian Rickman said: “We thank the First Minister Mark Drakeford for his service to Wales and wish him the best in his future endeavours.

“We look forward to working with the next First Minister and Welsh Labour Leader to be appointed, ensuring that we continue to see thriving, sustainable, family farms in Wales.”

BRICKBATS AMID THE PRAISE

Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said: “I recognise and pay tribute to the First Minister’s dedication to public life and, in particular, the tone of his leadership through the pandemic.

“We have built a constructive relationship in delivering transformative policies through the Cooperation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru.

“When he took office, the First Minister spoke of the opportunities that came with the position of Leading the Welsh Government. Regrettably, those opportunities have been squandered, resulting in longer waiting lists, falling educational standards and a stagnant economy.

“The First Minister told me in the Senedd yesterday that the question of his successor was ‘nothing to do’ with me. But who can become First Minister through an internal Labour Party election matters to all of us.”

The Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Jane Dodds MS, said: “I’d like to personally thank the First Minister for his leadership and dedication to Wales throughout his five years in the role.

“Whether you agree or disagree with the First Minister and his government’s decisions, it would be untrue to say that Mark has lacked any passion for his job.

“Throughout his time in office, he was provided consistent and clear leadership that has steered this country through difficult times. For that, we owe him a debt of gratitude.

“On a personal level, Mark has shown me nothing but kindness and support throughout my time in the Senedd, and I will forever be grateful.”

Ms Dodds continued: “As a nation, we face multiple crises in our NHS, our schools, our economy and the cost of living.

“We desperately need fresh ideas and a real drive to radically change the future of our country for the better.”

Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies MS, said: “I wish Mark well as he stands down from the helm.

“While we may have different visions for Wales, I know colleagues join me in holding a huge amount of respect for his dedication to the job of First Minister.

“It’s important, however, with this announcement that there is no distraction from the really important job of delivering for the people of Wales.

“Labour politicians jockeying for the role of First Minister must not detract from this.”