Mark Drakeford officially steps down as Wales’s first minsiter

Mark Drakeford has officially stepped down as Wales’s first minister.

Mr Drakeford will offer his resignation to the King this evening.

It is expected his resignation will be formally accepted on Wednesday morning, before the new first minister is confirmed.

The 69-year-old has been in the role since December 2018 and is expected to remain a member of the Senedd until the next election in 2026.

He took part in his final First Minister’s Questions (FMQs) on Tuesday afternoon and received a standing ovation from members across the political divide.

“The advice to any performer is always to leave them wanting more,” he said.

“After this afternoon, everybody will be looking forward to hear quite a bit less from me, I’m sure of that.”

Mr Drakeford said when he was elected it was “certainly impossible to predict the state of perma-crisis which we were about to enter”.

“I’m looking forward to continue to play my part from the back benches, to supporting the new first minister and the Welsh government,” he added.

Overcome with emotion, he thanked those with whom he worked, including civil servants and members of the Senedd.

“The last 12 months have been the hardest and the saddest of my life,” he said.

“People will not see beyond the chamber those small acts of kindness that happen every day, from people in every part of this chamber that help someone to get through those very, very difficult times.”

His wife, Clare Drakeford, died in January last year.

Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies thanked Mr Drakeford for his leadership, which he said “benefited this country in coming through some of its darkest hours”.

“Thank you on behalf of the Welsh Conservatives for what you’ve done, both for me personally, but also for the country of Wales and for this institution and parliament,” he said.

“At a time of political challenges and the deepest personal adversity, Mark [Drakeford] brought thoughtfulness and good grace to public life at a time when such qualities were needed the most,” Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth added.

Vaughan Gething was elected the new leader of Welsh Labour on Saturday.

Mr Gething is expected to be confirmed in the role as Labour has 30 of the Senedd’s 60 seats.

Read more:
Who is new Welsh Labour leader Vaughan Gething?
What problems are facing Wales’s next first minister?
A look back at Mark Drakeford’s career

But Plaid Cymru, which is part of a co-operation agreement with Labour, has confirmed it will nominate its own leader for the position of first minister.

A party spokesperson told Sky News: “Plaid Cymru will nominate Rhun ap Iorwerth in the vote to elect a new first minister of Wales tomorrow.

“The math dictates that Vaughan Gething will secure a majority vote, but in the current political climate, questions about judgement and transparency requires alternative candidates to be considered.”

If approved as first minister by the Senedd, as expected, Mr Gething will become the first black leader of any European nation.