Five years since being appointed to the role, Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced that he is to stand down as the leader of the Welsh Labour Party.
Drakeford will remain First Minister until a successor is selected by the party.
Source: Senedd Wales - senedd.wales/people/mark-drakeford-ms/
This news comes as somewhat of a surprise, as it was expected that the announcement would come in 2024, not before the close of 2023. In a statement posted on his X.com account, Drakeford said:
“It has been a great privilege to serve a leader of this party. Together, we have achieved a huge amount over the last five years in some of the toughest times we have known.
“Despite all the chaos in Westminster, the ongoing impact of Brexit, climate change and the pandemic, by working together, we gave delivered record results for Welsh Labour in the local government and Senedd elections.”
In the immediate aftermath of the announcement, statements poured in from colleagues, with Welsh Labour MS Jeremy Miles saying that “when he steps down as First Minister and Welsh Labour Leader, he will be able to look back on a career dedicated to helping others,” whilst MP for Cardiff West Kevin Brennan labelled Drakeford an “exemplary public servant.”
A leadership contest will now be held, with the winner becoming only the fifth person to hold the role of First Minister since Wales’ devolution was granted in 1999.
Image credit: iStock and Sennedd.Wales
