Mark Drakeford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mark Drakeford
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Official portrait, 2024
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| Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language | |
| Assumed office 11 September 2024 |
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| First Minister | Eluned Morgan |
| Preceded by | Rebecca Evans |
| In office 19 May 2016 – 13 December 2018 |
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| First Minister | Carwyn Jones |
| Preceded by | Jane Hutt |
| Succeeded by | Rebecca Evans |
| First Minister of Wales | |
| In office 13 December 2018 – 20 March 2024 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II Charles III |
| Preceded by | Carwyn Jones |
| Succeeded by | Vaughan Gething |
| Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care | |
| Interim 6 August 2024 – 11 September 2024 |
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| First Minister | Eluned Morgan |
| Preceded by | Eluned Morgan |
| Succeeded by | Jeremy Miles |
| In office 14 March 2013 – 19 May 2016 |
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| First Minister | Carwyn Jones |
| Deputy | Vaughan Gething |
| Preceded by | Lesley Griffiths |
| Succeeded by | Vaughan Gething |
| Leader of Welsh Labour | |
| In office 6 December 2018 – 16 March 2024 |
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| Deputy | Carolyn Harris |
| UK party leader |
Jeremy Corbyn Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Carwyn Jones |
| Succeeded by | Vaughan Gething |
| Minister for Brexit | |
| In office 3 November 2017 – 13 December 2018 |
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| First Minister | Carwyn Jones |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Jeremy Miles |
| Member of the Senedd for Cardiff West |
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| Assumed office 5 May 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Rhodri Morgan |
| Majority | 11,211 (30.7%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 September 1954 Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, Wales |
| Political party | Labour |
| Spouse |
Clare Buckle
(m. 1977; died 2023) |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | University of Kent University of Exeter |
| Cabinet | Second Drakeford government |
| Signature |  |
Mark Drakeford (born 19 September 1954) is a Welsh politician. He is currently the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language. He has held this role since September 2024.
Before this, he was the First Minister of Wales and Leader of Welsh Labour from 2018 to 2024. He also served as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care at different times. Mark Drakeford was first elected as a Member of the Senedd (MS) for Cardiff West in 2011.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Mark Drakeford was born on 19 September 1954 in Carmarthenshire, West Wales. He grew up there and attended Queen Elizabeth Grammar School. He later studied Latin at the University of Kent and graduated from the University of Exeter.
After university, he trained as both a teacher and a social worker. In 1979, he moved to Cardiff. He worked as a probation officer and a youth justice worker. He also led a project for Barnardo's in the Ely and Caerau areas.
Academic Career
From 1991 to 1995, Mark Drakeford taught applied social studies. This was at the University College of Swansea (now Swansea University). He then moved to Cardiff University in 1995. There, he became a lecturer in social and administrative studies.
He was promoted to senior lecturer in 1999. In 2003, he became a Professor of Social Policy and Applied Social Sciences. He continued in these academic roles until 2013. During his academic career, he wrote many books and articles about social policy.
Political Career
Mark Drakeford has always been interested in politics. He believes that a person's connection to the economy greatly affects their life. He has always been a member of the Labour Party. He is also a member of the Unite the Union and UNISON trade unions.
He is against the Trident nuclear weapons programme. He wants it to be stopped. Drakeford is seen as part of the left wing of the Labour Party.
From 1985 to 1993, Drakeford was a councillor for the Pontcanna area. This was on the South Glamorgan County Council. He was in charge of the Education Committee. He was especially interested in education taught through the Welsh language.
He helped with the successful Yes for Wales campaign in 1997. This campaign was about creating the Welsh Assembly. In 1999, he ran for the Cardiff Central seat in the first Welsh Assembly election. He did not win this seat.
After Rhodri Morgan became First Minister in 2000, Drakeford became his special adviser. He advised on health and social policy. Later, he led Morgan's political office. Drakeford was close to Rhodri Morgan for many years. He helped Morgan with his election campaigns for the UK Parliament.
As a special adviser, Drakeford helped create the "Clear Red Water" idea. This idea showed how Labour Party policies in Wales were different from those in Westminster.
Drakeford took over from Rhodri Morgan as the Assembly Member for Cardiff West in 2011. Soon after, he became the head of the Assembly's Health and Social Care Committee. He also chaired the committee for European Funds in Wales.
In 2013, First Minister Carwyn Jones asked him to join the Welsh Government. He became the Minister for Health and Social Services. His appointment was welcomed by medical groups. As Health Minister, he helped pass important laws. These included the Human Transplantation Act and the Nurse Staffing Levels Act.
After the 2016 election, he became the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government. Later, his role changed. He became responsible for Wales' preparations for Brexit.
He was the only Cabinet member in the UK to support Jeremy Corbyn. This was during Corbyn's campaign to become the national leader of the Labour Party in 2015. In 2022, Drakeford spoke about the benefits of changing how elections work. He has long supported using proportional representation in general elections.
Welsh Labour Leadership
After Carwyn Jones resigned in 2018, Mark Drakeford decided to run for leader. He quickly gained support from many Labour Assembly Members. He also received support from Members of Parliament, trade unions, and local Labour Parties.
In September 2018, the voting system for Welsh Labour leadership elections changed. Drakeford had been campaigning for this change for over 20 years.
During his campaign, Drakeford suggested new policies. These included a trial for universal baby bundles. He also wanted to bring the Probation Service under Welsh control. He planned to create a Social Partnership Act to protect workers' rights. He also wanted to set up a Community Bank for Wales.
Drakeford said he was a republican since he was 14. He believed this would not affect his working relationship with the Royal Family.
On 6 December 2018, Drakeford became the leader of the Welsh Labour Party. He won with 53.9% of the vote in the second round.
On 13 December 2023, he announced he would resign as Welsh Labour Leader. He stayed on as First Minister until his replacement was chosen. On 16 March 2024, Vaughan Gething won the leadership election.
First Minister
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Premiership of Mark Drakeford
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| 13 December 2018 – 20 March 2024 | |
| Premier | Mark Drakeford |
| Cabinet | First Drakeford government Second Drakeford government |
| Party | Welsh Labour |
| Election | 2021 |
| Appointer | Elizabeth II |
| Seat | Tŷ Hywel |
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← Carwyn Jones •
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Mark Drakeford was chosen as First Minister on 12 December 2018. Queen Elizabeth II approved his nomination. He announced his government the next day. He became a Privy Counsellor on 10 January 2019.
COVID-19 Pandemic Response
As First Minister, Drakeford led Wales' response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Wales. The Welsh Government was in charge of many decisions. This included setting rules to control the virus.
On 23 March 2020, the UK Prime Minister announced a lockdown. This was agreed by all governments in the UK. First Minister Drakeford said these rules would also apply to Wales. They started that evening. People were not allowed to leave their homes for non-essential reasons. Outdoor exercise was limited to once a day in Wales. This was different from England.
On 25 March, the Coronavirus Act 2020 became law. The next day, the Welsh Government gained emergency powers. These powers helped them manage the pandemic.
Drakeford wanted to work with other UK governments. However, his government sometimes made different choices. For example, Wales had a two-week "firebreak" lockdown in October 2020. At that time, the UK government in England had local restrictions. A study from University College London praised Drakeford's clear communication.
2021 Senedd Election
In the 2021 Senedd election, Labour promised to improve health and social care. This included investing in mental health services. They also planned a new medical school in North Wales. They aimed for free social care in the future.
For education, they promised tutors to help students catch up. They also planned to improve school buildings. They wanted to expand free school meals. They aimed to increase access to Welsh-medium education. Other plans included planting more trees and building more social housing. They also considered changing how Senedd elections work.
Labour achieved its best ever result in the Senedd. They won 30 seats, just one short of a majority. The BBC said this was due to Mark Drakeford. People approved of how he handled the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts noted that Drakeford became more well-known during the pandemic. He was seen as capable and the best choice for First Minister.
2021 Term and Resignation
In November 2021, Drakeford and Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price made an agreement. They planned to work together on many policies. These included free social care and more services for children. They also wanted to limit second homes. This was the third time Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru had worked together.
Free school meals started for the youngest children in September 2022. The plan was to expand this to all primary pupils by 2024. In February 2023, all new road projects in Wales were stopped. They did not pass an environmental test. In April, local councils gained new powers. These aimed to discourage owning second homes.
A new 20mph speed limit on many roads in September 2023 caused mixed opinions. Towards the end of Drakeford's time, his government was criticized. This was for its performance in healthcare and education. A poll in December found that 56% of Welsh voters viewed Drakeford negatively.
On 13 December 2023, Drakeford resigned as First Minister. He intended to step down after his replacement was chosen.
Post-Leadership
After leaving his leadership roles, Drakeford served as a regular Member of the Senedd. This was from March to August 2024. During this time, he gave a speech about good government and human rights. In August, he was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care. This was a temporary role under the new First Minister, Eluned Morgan. In September 2024, Morgan moved Drakeford to Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language.
Personal Life
Mark Drakeford was married to Clare Buckle from 1977 until her death in January 2023. She was 71 years old. They had three children together. During the early part of the Covid-19 pandemic, Drakeford moved into a separate building. This was in his garden. He did this to protect his wife and her mother, who were both vulnerable.
Drakeford enjoys playing cricket. He also likes growing vegetables on his allotment.
Images for kids
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Mark Drakeford's signature
See also
In Spanish: Mark Drakeford para niños
