Cross-party politicians react to First Minister's resignation

Mr Drakeford said there would be time for political obituaries once he had left office and he would remain "fully focused" on the job until he steps down.

In a statement on the mezzanine floor of the Senedd building in Cardiff, he said: "There will be plenty of time for political obituaries and retrospection once I cease to be first minister but not before.

"In a five-year period which has seen Wales deal with austerity, Brexit, the Covid pandemic, the climate crisis, wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and four different prime ministers so far, there will be lots to reflect upon.

"For now I will continue to be fully focused on delivering the promises we made to people across Wales in the last Senedd election.

"The next Welsh leader and first minister will I hope have an opportunity which has not come my way, and that is to work with a newly-elected Labour government in London and I will work as hard as I can to see that Labour government elected."

'A true titan of Welsh and Labour politics' - Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer said that Mark Drakeford was a "true titan" of Welsh and Labour politics.

Paying tribute to the career of the Welsh First Minister, the Labour leader said: "On behalf of the whole Labour Party, I pay tribute to Mark Drakeford for an outstanding career.

"Mark has set a clear standard for public service in UK politics, always putting others before himself. During his five years as First Minister, against a backdrop of austerity, instability in Westminster and navigating the pandemic, he has delivered for Wales with steely determination and quiet authority.

"Above all, Mark is a kind and decent man, who lives his Labour values.

"A proud Welshman, Wales too can be proud of Mark, for his fight for working people. He's a true titan of Welsh and Labour politics. It has been a pleasure to work alongside him and we all wish him the very best for his retirement."

'I wish Mark well as he stands down from the helm' - Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies

Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies said: "I wish Mark well as he stands down from the helm.

"While we may have different visions for Wales, I know I'm joined by colleagues in holding a huge amount of respect for his dedication to the job of first minister.

"It's important, however, with this announcement that there is no distraction from the really important job of delivering for the people of Wales.

"Labour politicians jockeying for the role of first minister must not detract from this."

'We will continue to work closely with the Welsh Government' - Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted: "I wish @MarkDrakeford all the best as he moves on from his many years of public service.

"We will continue to work closely with the Welsh Government to build on our joint work to spread opportunity for people across Wales."

'Mark Drakeford has epitomised public service and public duty' - Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens

Shadow secretary of state for Wales Jo Stevens tweeted: "@MarkDrakeford has epitomised public service and public duty throughout his time as First Minister of Wales. His remarkable stewardship of Wales through the horror of the pandemic being the most obvious example."

'Who can become First Minister through an internal Labour party election matters to all of us' - Leader of Plaid Cymru Rhun Ap Iorwerth

“As he announces his departure I recognise and pay tribute to the First Minister’s dedication to public life and in particular the tone of his leadership through the pandemic.

“We have been able to build a constructive relationship in delivering transformative policies through the Co-Operation agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru. Be it with Mark Drakeford or his successor, our priority has been and will be to deliver for Wales. That will continue to be our guiding principle.

“When he took office, the First Minister spoke of the opportunities that came with the position of Leading the Welsh Government. Regrettably, those opportunities have been squandered, resulting in longer waiting lists, falling educational standards and a stagnant economy.

“The First Minister told me in the Senedd yesterday that the question of his successor was “nothing to do” with me. But who can become First Minister through an internal Labour party election matters to all of us.

“However, whoever is in charge of Labour in Wales, there’s no taking away from the fact that they take their orders from Keir Starmer, who has a blind spot to Wales’ and offers nothing to address our needs and aspirations.

“Unlike other parties, Plaid Cymru will always prioritise fairness and ambition for Wales."

'He has been a beacon for compassion in our politics' - Jeremy Miles, Minister for Education and Welsh Language

"Mark Drakeford is an extraordinary man who has led Wales through extraordinary times.

"He has been a beacon for compassion in our politics, and an example of public service to our nation.

"When he steps down as First Minister and Welsh Labour Leader, he will be able to look back on a career dedicated to helping others - as a probation worker, as a professor of social policy, as an adviser to Rhodri Morgan, as a Minister and as First Minister of Wales.

"Much will be said about his political life and his many accomplishments. I want to pay personal tribute to the person we have all seen bear the weight of leading a nation through the most difficult times - with integrity, dignity and strength.

"As we consider what comes next, I hope we will resolve to build on Mark’s legacy, to meet new challenges head on, and to set our sights on an ambitious future for Wales."

'It would be untrue to say that Mark has lacked any passion for his job' - Jane Dodds MS, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats

“I’d like to personally thank the First Minister for his leadership and dedication to Wales throughout his five years in the role.

Whether you disagree or not with the First Minister and his government’s decisions, it would be untrue to say that Mark has lacked any passion for his job.

Throughout his time in office, he was provided consistent and clear leadership that has steered this country through some difficult times and for that we owe him a debt of gratitude.

On a personal level, Mark has shown nothing but kindness and support to me throughout my time in the Senedd and for that I will forever be grateful.

I wish him all the very best in his future endeavours.

My message to the new First Minister is a simple one, set a new vision for Wales.

We as a nation are facing multiple crises, in our NHS, our schools, our economy and with the cost of living.

We desperately need fresh ideas and a real drive to radically change the future of our country for the better.”

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