Drakeford links Welsh Labour's collapse to lack of new powers from UK government

"“For me the thing that made this election so difficult from a Welsh Labour point of view was that we had so little in the first two years of that Labour government at Westminster that allowed us to demonstrate that we are still the party of devolution here in Wales. That was our unique selling point. Only the Labour party offered strong devolution where people in Wales took charge of their own domestic affairs while still remaining inside the United Kingdom, with all the advantages that that brings.”"

"“Mark Drakeford attacked Welsh Labour MPs in Westminster, arguing the lack of a devolution agenda from them was a significant factor in the party's Senedd election defeat this month. Drakeford said Labour's 'unique selling point' of supporting Wales having more control over its own affairs within the United Kingdom, rather than going it alone, had been weakened by his own party.”"

"“Labour lost control of the Welsh government to pro-independence Plaid Cymru at the 7 May election, and was pushed into third place for the first time. It had won every Cardiff Bay election since 1999 and held half of the Senedd's seats until its defeat, when it was relegated to just nine Members of the Senedd (MSs) - less than 10% of the total.”"

"“Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Drakeford defended his government's record on health and education, but said the 'sense that somebody else needed to turn to address' problems in those services was 'very real'. Complaints about changes to the winter fuel allowance and the standing of the prime minister 'was raised time and time again', he said.”"

Mark Drakeford said the UK Labour government offered Wales “so little” in new powers since taking office in 2024. He criticised Welsh Labour MPs in Westminster for failing to advance a devolution agenda, linking that to Labour’s Senedd election defeat on 7 May. Labour lost control of the Welsh government to pro-independence Plaid Cymru and fell to third place for the first time, dropping from holding half the Senedd seats to just nine MSs. Drakeford argued Labour’s “unique selling point” was supporting Wales to control domestic affairs within the UK, but that message was weakened. He defended his government’s health and education record while acknowledging a real sense that others needed to address problems, and he cited concerns about winter fuel allowance changes and the prime minister’s standing.

Read at www.bbc.com