Mark Drakeford standing down

[nogojones]

So he's handed his notice in til a new leader is elected.

Whilst he was pretty shit I don't expect anyone who replaces him from Welsh Labour to be better.

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

Does this mean the 'time is up' threads' time is (finally) up?

 

[danny la rouge]

Whilst he was pretty shit I don't expect anyone who replaces him from Welsh Labour to be better.

This is something we can empathise with in each of the devolved parliaments and indeed Westminster.

 

[Plumdaff]

He was pretty shit but yes, we're in for unmitigated Starmerist shite from any of the candidates to take over. I'm very concerned about what that will mean for education and health in particular which have so far been spared the privatisation etc that's happened in England.

I think support for Welsh Labour is incredibly fragile but can't see anyone poised to do anything positive with that. You'd think Plaid could wipe the floor with them really.

 

[bendeus]

Likely to be Vaughan Gething, no? Centrist stuffed suit of the first stripe.

 

[Larry O'Hara]

Is the sudden nature of his exit indicative of an imminent scandal a la Sturgeon. Sex act with a Leek maybe?

 

[JimW]

He'd said he was going ages back in story I read.

 

[Larry O'Hara]

He'd said he was going ages back in story I read.

Sometime in 2024, but maybe nothing untoward.

 

[JimW]

Sometime in 2024, but maybe nothing untoward.

Thought it was just at some point this session.

 

[planetgeli]

Is he the first casualty of the 20mph limit?

Worse is undoubtedly to come but I've had no time for him since Covid when he fucked the return to school plan.

 

[bendeus]

Is the sudden nature of his exit indicative of an imminent scandal a la Sturgeon. Sex act with a Leek maybe?

You are beyond fucking funny

 

[MapWatcher]

His wife died a few months ago, and his son is in all sorts of nasty trouble with the law. Plus there's all the crap he's been getting from people opposed to his 20mph law. Can't imagine he's been enjoying his job lately.

 

[_Russ_]

Likely to be Vaughan Gething, no? Centrist stuffed suit of the first stripe.

Probably, which would be a shift to the right in tune with about everywhere on this fucking planet right now....great

 

[bendeus]

Probably, which would be a shift to the right in tune with about everywhere on this fucking planet right now....great

In my (old) professional life I had dealings with both MD and VG. I found the former to be an intelligent, compassionate if bookish socialist (of sorts) while the latter I found to be shallow, evasive and slick. MD came up through youth and social work in Ely, via academia, to be Rhodri's policy wonk and then on to Health, and latterly, FM. For all that he did stuff I didn't agree with I liked him and found him to be sincere. VG far, far less so.

 

[krtek a houby]

Is the sudden nature of his exit indicative of an imminent scandal a la Sturgeon. Sex act with a Leek maybe?

No need for racism

 

[Dom Traynor]

No need for racism

Do you carry that pig under your arm so you can fuck it?

 

[krtek a houby]

Do you carry that pig under your arm so you can fuck it?

You have a habit of this kind of nonsense

What have you got against Irish people?

Let's not forget that krtek's use of racist language has driven asian posters off of Urban in the past. I don't understand why people give the racist cunt the time of day tbh.

 

[ddraig]

In my (old) professional life I had dealings with both MD and VG. I found the former to be an intelligent, compassionate if bookish socialist (of sorts) while the latter I found to be shallow, evasive and slick. MD came up through youth and social work in Ely, via academia, to be Rhodri's policy wonk and then on to Health, and latterly, FM. For all that he did stuff I didn't agree with I liked him and found him to be sincere. VG far, far less so.

My experience too, from brief encounters

 

[Plumdaff]

In my brief and misguided early Corbyn era time in Cardiff West CLP he was the only elected member in their meetings talking about actual politics, strategy, how to win over non voters etc. A serious politician in a way Brennan and the councillors couldn't remotely match.

 

[brogdale]

brilliant photo of Mr & Mrs D accompanying a very appreciative Guardian piece:

 

[phildwyer]

His wife died a few months ago, and his son is in all sorts of nasty trouble with the law.

Apparently it's his adopted son. Drakeford always struck me as an admirable guy, and his adoption of an evidently troubled kid confirms it.

 

[Sue]

Apparently it's his adopted son. Drakeford always struck me as an admirable guy, and his adoption of an evidently troubled kid confirms it.

It's his son. What's adopted got to do with it?

 

[Sue]

This is something we can empathise with in each of the devolved parliaments and indeed Westminster.

Depressing though. 'Pretty shit but less shit than whoever's next.'

 

[phildwyer]

It's his son. What's adopted got to do with it?

It's to Drakeford's credit that he'd adopt a kid with problems. Confirms his reputation as a good bloke, and a sad loss to Wales.

 

[Smokeandsteam]

Depressing though. 'Pretty shit but less shit than whoever's next.'

40 years ago Drakeford would have been perceived as part of the soft right of Labour. Decent, kind but ultimately a safe pair of hands and unthreatening to the interests of the rich.

The fact that he’s now seen as the best Welsh citizens can hope for says more about the degeneration of the Labour movement than it does about him.

 

[wow]

You have a habit of this kind of nonsense

And who the fuck are you, anyway?

 

[krtek a houby]

And who the fuck are you, anyway?

Nobody. Just interested in Welsh political happenings... don't know lot about it, hence interest in this thread.

I'll bow out now, because I don't want to piss about on a serious thread.

You could do the same, if you like.

 

[PR1Berske]

And who the fuck are you, anyway?

Well as krtek a houby would attest, we know who you are, Spanner.

 

[weltweit]

Apparently he said he would do the job for 5 years.

5 years are up now.

Sorry to read about his wife.