Mark Drakeford emotional as he bows out as first minister

Mark Drakeford called the past year "the hardest and saddest of my life" in an emotional speech marking his resignation as Wales' first minister.

His wife Clare died suddenly at the age of 71 in January 2023.

In a speech in the Senedd, Mr Drakeford thanked members of all parties in Cardiff Bay for the "small acts of kindness" that helped him "get through those very, very difficult times".

He will formally resign by sending a letter to the King on Tuesday evening.

When he receives a reply from King Charles he will no longer be first minister, clearing the way for his successor, newly elected Welsh Labour leader Vaughan Gething, to take over on Wednesday.

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Conservative Senedd group leader Andrew RT Davies thanked Mr Drakeford for leading Wales through "some of its darkest hours" during Covid.

Plaid Cymru's Rhun ap Iorwerth said Mr Drakeford had shown "empathy, concern and kindness" during that difficult period.

Mr Drakeford paused briefly as he mentioned the death of his wife Clare during his statement.

"The last 12 months have been the hardest and the saddest of my life," he said, adding "people will not see beyond the chamber those small acts of kindness that happened every day from people in every part of this chamber".

"We debate with a conviction of our own beliefs but, as human beings in this chamber, we are always, I believe, amongst friends."

Andrew RT Davies and Mark Drakeford had kind words for each other in the Senedd on Tuesday

On his approach to five years of leading the Welsh government, he said he had always aimed to be "prepared to do the things which are difficult today, because we know that the benefits lie in the lives of the generations to come".

His battles included cancelling the proposed M4 relief road, introducing a new 20mph speed limit in built-up areas and radically changing the way farm subsidies work, all highly controversial.

"If you set out to be a radical, reforming government then you have to be prepared for opposition," he said.

"No ground was ever gained without a struggle for a progressive cause, even when the case for change is so clear or the object of change so apparently innocuous, because in politics there will always be vested interests - some of them benign, others determined not to surrender their own positions of power and of privilege."

Mr Drakeford was given a standing ovation by the whole Senedd as he wound up his speech.

Mark Drakeford signing his resignation letter to send to the King

Mr Davies thanked Mr Drakeford for his role in the pandemic, saying his counterpart showed "stern leadership in a positive way that gave direction and function to government and to civil society to get us through that crisis and, ultimately, come out the other end".

"I thank you for that leadership. That's not saying I agree with everything you did, but the leadership that you showed, benefited this country in coming through some of its darkest hours."

Mr ap Iorwerth said Mr Drakeford had guided Wales with "empathy, concern and kindness, in stark contrast to UK government, demonstrating the personal qualities we demand of those who seek the highest office".

He said he was "very proud" of what Plaid Cymru had achieved with the Welsh government through the co-operation deal, where the two work together on major policies such as free school meals and reforming the Welsh government.

"Mark brought thoughtfulness and good grace to public life at a time when such qualities were needed the most," he said.

During his last First Minister's Questions, earlier, Mr Drakeford praised Mr Gething following concern among some Labour Members of the Senedd over £200,000 of donations to his leadership campaign.

Mr ap Iorwerth asked what advice Mr Drakeford had for his replacement on the issue of trust.

"I know what a careful and considered person he is when it comes to making decisions," Mr Drakeford replied.

"He doesn't need advice from me on all of that and I look forward very much to supporting him and the Welsh government from the back benches."

'More light, less heat'

Conservative Mr Davies told Mr Drakeford that the pair had enjoyed "some interesting exchanges, some colourful exchanges and some passionate exchanges," in the chamber.

When asking for advice for Mr Gething, Mr Drakeford replied: "In terms of preparation, I just say to my successor that it will take hours and hours of his time because it's unavoidable.

"If I had a hope for this forum and these questions, it will be that just occasionally we all focus a little bit more on generating light than generating heat."

He also told his Conservative opponent he had "never doubted the commitment that the leader of the opposition brings to the difficult job he has to do or the motivation for the questions he asks me".

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