Mark Drakeford is making waves with his latest remarks about Labour’s poor performance in the Senedd Election 2026. The former First Minister didn’t hold back, pointing the finger at Keir Starmer’s leadership as a major factor in Labour’s drastic fall to third place in Wales. With just nine seats and in need of a new leader, Welsh Labour is facing tough times.
In an opinion piece for the Fabian Society, Drakeford outlines the “ten things” that led to Labour’s downfall. While he acknowledges external factors like Brexit and the cost-of-living crisis, he’s clear that some wounds were self-inflicted. He highlights Vaughan Gething’s brief stint as First Minister as damaging to Labour’s reputation and criticises the party’s failure to maintain its identity.
Drakeford also contends that UK Labour policies, such as the removal of the winter fuel allowance, alienated Welsh voters, while a lack of progress on devolution under Starmer’s government left the party vulnerable. His message is stark: Welsh Labour lost its core identity, leaving the door open for Plaid Cymru and making the party appear neither “sufficiently Welsh nor sufficiently Labour.”
In a Channel 4 interview, Drakeford suggested it’s time for Starmer to step down, criticising his strategic direction for Wales. As for the future, Drakeford urges the new Labour group to set a bold agenda, push for proportional voting, and rebuild relationships with diverse communities.
Despite the setbacks, Drakeford remains optimistic, emphasising the importance of involving local government, trade unions, and party members to shape a brighter future. 🗳️💬 What do you think about Drakeford’s take on Labour’s performance? Would a change in leadership make a difference? Share your thoughts!