Mark Drakeford to stand down as Labour first minister of Wales

[Emrys]

The first minister of Wales Mark Drakeford has announced he is standing down as the country’s Labour leader – triggering a surprise winter contest to find his successor.

The 69-year-old Labour politician, who has been Welsh leader since December 2018, said he hoped his replacement could be in place before Easter 2024.

At a news conference in Cardiff, Mr Drakeford said he would remain as first minister until then “in the full sense of that job”.

Mr Drakeford said he would continue to work “tirelessly” for a Labour government to “start repairing the huge damage which has been inflicted by the Tories over the last 13 years”.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/mark-drakeford-first-minister-wales-stand-down-b2463266.html

Drakeford's conduct as first minister has gained respect even among those who aren't Labour voters, his mild demeanour masking hints of steel when the occasion demanded.

He led Wales well during the COVID crisis, often allying with the SNP in Scotland in trying to plough a saner course than the shambolic regime at Westminster did. In his quiet way, Labour in Wales has been more radical than Labour UK-wide on a number of policies, which has led to improvements in the party's standing in Wales, though Drakeford's personal approval ratings have fallen in recent times.

He'll be missed.

It remains to be seen how the timing of his stepping down and selection of his successor will mesh with the possibility of an early general election given the utter chaos among the Tories at the moment.