Mark Drakeford gives emotional goodbye as First Minister of Wales

Drakeford decided to step down from the role of First Minister last December

Mark Drakeford gave an emotional goodbye in his resignation statement to the role of First Minister of Wales.

It had been business as usual as he faced questions over 20mph, music venues and free school meals in his final First Minister's Questions in the line of fire.

In his last question to the outgoing FM, Welsh Conservative Leader Andrew RT Davies paid tribute to Drakeford, saying their many disagreements over the past three years highlighted their mutual 'heartfelt passion' for serving the people of Wales.

Drakeford replied to the comment by saying he never doubted the Leader of the Opposition's commitment to his job.

Later in the Senedd session, the First Minister addressed the senedd one last time to give his resignation speech.

In the speech, he thanked civil servants, his fellow members of the Senedd and the Welsh public.

He became visibly emotional at one point when he thanks members of all parties who offered him 'small acts of kindness' following the death of his wife Clare.

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

'The last 12 months have been the hardest and saddest of my life.

'People will not see beyond the chamber those small acts of kindness that happened every day from people in every part of this chamber that helped someone to get through those very very difficult times'.

Mark Drakeford ended the session y confirming he would submit his notice of resignation to the king, before leaving with a simple 'I'm most grateful of all to the people whom we are lucky to serve'.

Following Mark Drakeford's resignation, his successor Vaughan Gething is expected to be voted in as the new First Minister on Wednesday 20th of March.

Gething beat Jeremy Miles to become the new leader of Welsh Labour last Saturday (16th).

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