Left-wing parties plan to unite against Reform UK forming Wales’ next government, even if it secures the most seats, according to former First Minister Mark Drakeford.
Recent polls show Reform UK challenging Plaid Cymru for the leading position ahead of the Senedd election on May 7. No party anticipates a majority, so coalitions or deals will likely determine the first minister nomination and Senedd approval.
Drakeford’s Stance on Blocking Reform
Drakeford emphasized that most Welsh voters favor left-leaning parties. He highlighted the need for these groups to collaborate for a stable, progressive administration.
Under Senedd rules, parties nominate first minister candidates who require a majority vote to succeed. Drakeford stated: “I don’t believe for a moment that a Reform nominee would be endorsed by the Senedd because the next Senedd will have three-quarters or two-thirds of its members who do not share the views of that party.”
Even if Reform emerges as the largest party—which Drakeford doubts—their candidate would fail, he added.
Addressing accusations of left-wing parties ganging up, Drakeford noted: “The left-wing parties would have more seats and more votes between them and they will be casting those votes to reflect the views of their electorate.”
Reform UK’s Response
Reform UK’s Welsh leader, Dan Thomas, criticized the remarks, saying they reveal how establishment parties “will do absolutely anything” to prevent ordinary people from gaining influence.
Thomas urged voters: “The establishment parties will do absolutely anything they can to stop real people from having a seat at the table and having their voices heard. This May, it’s time to send them a message that hardworking Welsh men and women will no longer be ignored.”
Drakeford’s Legacy and Labour’s Challenges
Drakeford has shaped Welsh devolution for nearly three decades, starting as a senior adviser to former First Minister Rhodri Morgan. He entered the National Assembly in 2011, later holding key government roles and serving as first minister from 2018 to 2024, guiding Wales through the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite Welsh Labour’s 2021 Senedd victory under his leadership, current polls show struggles. Drakeford attributed this to the challenges of incumbency: “Every time you win an election the hill gets steeper the next time. ‘Time for a change’ is a very potent slogan in politics.”
He pointed to post-austerity disillusionment, where people question long-supported systems.
On personal accountability, Drakeford affirmed readiness to accept responsibility but recalled defying polls in 2021: “I went into the last election on the basis of an opinion poll that said it was going to be Labour’s worst-ever result and in the end, only six weeks later, it was our best-ever result.”
