Carwyn stuns conference with decision to stand down
CARWYN Jones announced he is to stand down as Welsh Labour leader this autumn, paving the way for the party to choose a new First Minister to replace him in December.
The Bridgend AM made the surprise announcement in his speech to the Welsh Labour conference in Llandudno.
The race to be the next leader has already started after Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford confirmed his intention to stand.
Referring to the death of Carl Sargeant last November, who he had sacked four days earlier amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour, Mr Jones told his party at the conference he had been through “the darkest of times”.
“I don’t think anyone can know what the last few months have been like – no-one apart from Lisa and the kids,” he said.
“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.”
He continued: “I intend – as I’ve always maintained – to be here to give every answer to every question. But I intend to stand down in the autumn, allowing for a new First Minister to take place by the end of this year.
“At that point it will make sense to have a fresh start. For my family, for my party and for my country.”
At the end of his speech, he was given an emotion- al standing ovation.
People in the hall were visibly shocked by the announcement, which left many in tears.
Some of Mr Jones’ cabinet members were among those kept in the dark about his decision.
In his speech, Mr Jones said he expected there to be a new leader at the start of December.
Since the announcement, Mark Drakeford confirmed his intention to stand as a successor on Tuesday.
The Cardiff West AM has already been installed as the bookies’ favourite to take over from Mr Jones, who has held the post since 2009.
Mr Drakeford has already been endorsed by a number of leading Welsh Labour figures.
Told that people had said he could be a good successor to Mr Jones, Mr Drakeford said: “That’s very nice of people when they do say that. People do say that to you.”
Also before Mr Drakeford’s intentions became clear, former Secretary of State for Wales Lord Hain told the BBC that Welsh Labour’s next leader would need to be “radical” as the party had been in power in Cardiff Bay for almost 20 years.
He said: “The Assembly administration needs a big shake-up and we need a leader who is going to do that – to really drive the Welsh civil service to be more innovative and more optimistic.”