‘THE DARKEST OF TIMES’

Carwyn’s emotional words as he announces plans to quit as First Minister

CARWYN JONES stunned Welsh Labour in his speech to the party’s spring conference yesterday by announcing he would stand down as party leader this autumn.

He told the gathering in Llandudno that he expects Wales to have a new First Minister by December, by which time he will have been leader for nine years.

In an emotionally charged speech Mr Jones said the last few months had taken their toll on both him and his family, describing them as the “darkest of times”.

He paid tributes to his wife Lisa and children Seren and Ruairi, father and late mother in a speech that left many in the room in tears.

Referring to the death of Carl Sargeant last November, who he had sacked four days earlier amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour, he told his party: “I don’t think anyone can know what the last few months have been like – no one apart from Lisa and the kids.

“They have carried me through the darkest of times. I have asked too much of them at times. It’s time for me to think about what’s fair to them.”

There were tributes to Mr Jones from across the political spectrum, led by UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Mr Corbyn, who will speak at conference today, congratulated him on his achievements in government by introducing an organ donation opt out law and a children’s burial fund, praising his “tireless commitment to making a Wales a more equal country”.

He said: “I pay tribute to Carwyn for his tireless commitment to making Wales a more equal country which works for the many, not the few.”

In his speech, Mr Jones described how hard the last few months had been, saying it had not been fair on his family.

“In any normal political career, you expect to be put through the wringer, and even have your integrity challenged,” he said.

“I don’t think anyone can know what these last few months have been like.”

In turn, he paid tribute to all his closest family members.

He told the delegates at Venue Cymru that six days after becoming First Minister his mother died and his grandmother also died during his term.

He also paid tribute to his father, describing him as a “great rock in my life”.

“To my children. Sorry for all the times I wasn’t there and all the things I missed. It’ll change in the future,” he said.

“Seren, my daughter has overcome so many hurdles to get to where she is now and I’m proud of her. She’s my greatest defender. Five foot one of raw indignation when someone has a go at her Dad.

“Nine inches taller and 15 years old and a Tae Kwon Do blue belt, my son Ruairi is probably more of a handful but a better son I wouldn’t want. A man of few words at the moment, he’s still good fun when he speaks.”

He paid a special tribute to his wife Lisa.

“For a quarter of a century my friend, companion and my wife. Thank you for all your support through thick and thin. We’ve been through a lot together.

“I have to tell you conference that 10 days before the Assembly election I almost lost her to a sudden illness but she battled back and she was an inspiration for the final leg of the campaign.

“Go raibh mhaith agat Lis. Is ceol mo chroi thu,” he said.

Speaking to Labour delegates he said: “Without the doors you knock, without the leaflets you deliver, without the work you do in your communities I know I wouldn’t have been given this opportunity.”

There was a palpable sense of shock and sadness in the room after the announcement.

Llanelli AM Lee Waters said: “I am really emotional. I think it’s the right thing to do but I was very moved by the dignity with which he did it.

“I think we forget the human side of this. The impact on him and his family has been extraordinary and the fact he has held on is a tribute to his sense of public duty.”

Mid and West Wales AM Eluned Morgan said: “I think it was a really emotional speech. You could tell the kind of pressure he has been under for several months. It’s clear that he wants to relieve some of that pressure by making this announcement now.”

His cabinet colleague Alun Davies said: “I was with him at the beginning and it’s been one hell of a journey we have been on together.

“Carwyn’s leadership has delivered a mature, devolved Welsh Labour Government.”

“Obviously, it also means that the starting gun has been fired, that inevitably means that there’s a different dynamic that is bound to start within the party.”

Political opponents Leanne Wood and Andrew RT Davies also commented, with Ms Wood congratulating him on his time in office, and Mr Davies saying the pair had “exchanged blows” but wishing him the best for the future.

Mr Jones had told close colleagues of his decision over the last few days.

Sources say he had made his mind up in September last year and it was not due to the pressure he has faced since the death of Carl Sargeant.

However, the strain that has been put on him and his family led to yesterday’s announcement.

He will stand down in the autumn, so a new Labour leader and First Minister can be appointed in December.

He will remain as AM for Bridgend.

That will be around the anniversary of both his first election and becoming First Minister.

How the new leader will be elected is one of the hot topics in Labour ranks with many expecting a special conference to change their voting method before the vote for Mr Jones’ replacement is held.