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<\/p>\nSir Keir Starmer was yesterday facing questions about whether he forced out Wales’s Labour First Minister to boost the party’s chances at the next election.<\/p>\n
Mark Drakeford announced his surprise resignation at a news conference in Cardiff.<\/p>\n
The 69-year-old triggered a contest to find his successor on the fifth anniversary of the day he became the country’s leader.<\/p>\n
Welsh Labour sources speculated that Sir Keir was gearing up for the possibility of an early general election in 2024 and wanted Mr Drakeford gone because it could threaten the party’s chances at the polls.<\/p>\n
Mr Drakeford’s approval ratings have slumped in recent months amid chaos in public services and the NHS, with almost a quarter of the population on waiting lists and more than 26,000 people still waiting over two years for treatment.<\/p>\n
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Sir Keir Starmer (right) was yesterday facing questions about whether he forced out Wales’s Labour First Minister to boost the party’s chances at the next election. Mark Drakeford (left) announced his surprise resignation at a news conference in Cardiff<\/p>\n
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Welsh Labour sources speculated that Sir Keir was gearing up for the possibility of an early general election in 2024 and wanted Mr Drakeford gone because it could threaten the party’s chances at the polls<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, drivers have been angered by the rollout of blanket 20mph zones on roads that used to be 30mph and a ban on building new motorways over fears about rising carbon emissions.<\/p>\n
The country’s education system is at the bottom of UK league tables.<\/p>\n
A furious backlash was sparked when Mr Drakeford’s administration announced plans to spend nearly \u00a318million a year more adding 36 more politicians to the Welsh Parliament despite moaning that there is not enough money to deliver its priorities.<\/p>\n
And in June the Labour-run administration was accused of acting like a ‘nanny state’ after banning meal deals deemed to be too high in fat, sugar or salt.<\/p>\n
A Welsh Labour source said: ‘It seems pretty obvious that the party leadership sees Mark as toxic and has asked him to step aside in the event that the election comes earlier. They know his record will be used by the Tories to beat up Keir.’<\/p>\n
There is growing speculation among MPs that Rishi Sunak may call an election in the first half of 2024 if his Rwanda Bill runs into further trouble in the Commons.<\/p>\n
In October Sir Keir said that he ‘can’t pretend’ there are not ‘challenges’ in his relationship with the Welsh administration in Cardiff.<\/p>\n
The Labour leader yesterday hailed Mr Drakeford as a ‘titan’ of Welsh politics. But later, his spokesman wouldn’t say whether he was sad to see the First Minister go.<\/p>\n
Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said: ‘Mark Drakeford served Wales through some of our most challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and I wish him all the best in his retirement.<\/p>\n
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The Labour leader yesterday hailed Mr Drakeford as a ‘titan’ of Welsh politics. But later, his spokesman wouldn’t say whether he was sad to see the First Minister go<\/p>\n
‘However, he is leaving behind many large elephants in the room. Let us not forget that the Welsh government’s policies are Sir Keir Starmer’s ‘blueprint’ for the rest of the United Kingdom.’<\/p>\n
Mr Drakeford had previously announced his intention to quit the Welsh Parliament at its next elections in 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He was first elected in 2011 as the member for Cardiff West and served in various ministerial roles from 2013 until becoming First Minister and Welsh Labour leader in December 2018.<\/p>\n
At the beginning of this year he was struck by tragedy when his wife Clare died suddenly.<\/p>\n
Yesterday he confirmed he is standing down immediately as Labour’s Welsh leader, but said he would continue to serve as First Minister until his replacement has been found.<\/p>\n