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After five years, Welsh Prime Minister Marke Drakeford is stepping down at a strategically clever time.
Wales, the nation within the United Kingdom with almost as many sheep as people, is rarely in the headlines. In contrast to Northern Ireland or Scotland, everyday political life is not very dramatic. This policy has been shaped by First Minister Mark Drakeford from the Labor Party over the past five years. Wales has not been rocked by civil war like Northern Ireland, and there are no desires for independence like in Scotland. On the contrary, says Drakeford.
The majority of Welsh people are still convinced that membership of the United Kingdom is expedient. But that could change quickly if people could no longer recognize this purpose. “In the end, the whole thing is a club of four nations: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. You have to be able to show people why it makes sense to be there. However, what Wales receives from London has decreased significantly in recent years. The outskirts of the kingdom feel neglected. “I very much hope that this would change under a future Labor government,” said the First Minister, the head of the Government of Wales.
Our most important trading partner for 40 years was the European Union. Brexit created trade barriers that were completely unnecessary.
Under the Conservative government, England and London have once again become the epicenter of British politics. Mark Drakeford experienced four conservative prime ministers during his time in office. He said diplomatically that he was able to talk to everyone.
The political damage caused by Boris Johnson continues to burden Wales to this day: “Brexit is a big challenge for Wales. Industry and agriculture are important in Wales. Our most important trading partner for 40 years was the European Union. Brexit created trade barriers that were completely unnecessary. The disadvantages are far greater than the advantages. I very much hope that a British Labor government can minimize this damage.”
Convinced Republican
The friendly, gray-haired gentleman with the burgundy tie belongs to the left wing of the Labor Party. Drakeford was born 70 years ago in the Welsh provinces into a family of teachers. He was already interested in politics and power structures as a teenager. He was 14 years old when the current King Charles was crowned Prince of Wales by his mother in a pompous ceremony. He refused to take part.
To this day, like the Swiss, he is a convinced Republican. The two nations have a lot in common. Wales and Switzerland are small countries with several languages, have a long history and an ancient culture – combined with the same challenge: “To preserve what makes us special and unique, but still not to fall into backwards navel-gazing, but rather from it To gain self-confidence to engage with the rest of the world.”
Wales: Almost more sheep than people
At the end of the week, Drakeford will retire from the political world. He chose the timing of his resignation strategically: before the British elections in the second half of the year. In this way his successor can be chosen by the Welsh Labor Party. Drakeford, who once studied Latin, wants to read more again and devote himself in particular to his garden, the daffodils and the bulbous vegetables.