I wonder if he is up to governing a country

MICHAEL Williams’ defence (“Please let’s try to stick to policy”, WM letters, December 31) of Mark Drakeford’s appearance misses the point.

Mr Drakeford is in a privileged position where he has accepted a post in the spotlight nationally and internationally. He is representing Wales. First impressions do count.

One accepts he is not entering any fashion competition but surely he should show some respect for the position he finds himself in. It is not too much to ask him to up his game, especially when he is earning £140k.

Mr Williams refers to Mr Drakeford’s ideology being so important but to me Mr Drakeford is more interested in making the Welsh Labour Party more left-wing than any initiatives to re-energise the Welsh economy, education or health services.

Mr Drakeford’s visionary goals are to ban smoking in outdoor areas, introduce drinking fountains in towns and villages and double the size of allotments. This should impress all the world leaders! To be expected, I suppose, as Mr Drakeford’s background is no business experience whatsoever.

How is he going to make any difference? Rumours are that with income tax-raising powers he will look to tax the rich. Not because that will create any meaningful revenue but because he can. This will alienate the few that help create wealth in Wales. He has put his head in the sand on the M4 relief road and does not appreciate the economic damage of continuing delays. He is anti-business there can be no doubt.

I do worry about his attempts to govern as I think he is, along with the majority of AMs, not up to the job of governing a country.

Clifford Rogers

Cardiff