Mark Drakeford’s resignation as first minister of the Welsh government fulfils the promise he made in 2018 to retire after five years and provides an opportunity to assess his role as Labour leader in the devolved administration.
He gained United Kingdom-wide prominence as a cautious, calm and exacting leader during the Covid-19 lockdown, in contrast to Boris Johnson’s fitful handling of the crisis in London. Health is devolved, as are education, transport and many other functions of government.
Drakeford left his mark on these – and on the potential constitutional future of Wales in the UK. His relative success with Covid was shown when Labour secured 30 out of 60 seats in the 2021 Senedd elections. His government then agreed a 46-point programme of support with the nationalist Plaid Cymru party.
Covid recovery, maintaining social services and transport issues have dominated since then. Drakeford’s pursuit of a 20mph speed limit in urban areas and cancellation of major road projects on ecological grounds gained him Conservative enmity. Cuts in health, education and social services, which Drakeford tried to minimise, were blamed on austerity policies from London. But the cuts are unpopular and that is reflected in falling polling figures ahead of the UK general election expected next year.
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Drakeford has been keenly interested in the national position of Wales within the UK. His agreement with Plaid Cymru to set up the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales highlights Welsh support for a more legally entrenched devolution all round the UK. It will report next month and is expected to acknowledge greater Welsh curiosity about moves towards independence if London resists.
Drakeford has been enthusiastic about closer relations with Ireland. These links are now better organised, despite reduced trade routes after Brexit. The Irish Government has reciprocated and is pursuing deeper political, cultural and economic links with Wales.
