Full Breakdown
Mark Drakeford Calls for Abolition of the UK Government’s Wales Office
By Drooid · · How we work
Proposal to Abolish the Wales Office
First Minister Mark Drakeford of Wales has publicly stated that “the time has come” to consider scrapping the UK government’s Wales Office. The suggestion was made during an interview on S4C’s programme *Y Byd yn ei Le*, where Drakeford affirmed his support for eliminating the department that has been largely stripped of powers since devolution began in 1999.
Historical Background
The post of Secretary of State for Wales was created by Harold Wilson’s Labour government in October 1964, and the Wales Office opened the following April. In 1999, devolution transferred the Office’s responsibilities for health, education, environment, agriculture and transport to the newly formed Welsh Assembly (now the Senedd). Since then, the Wales Office has retained only a limited set of functions, prompting periodic speculation about folding it into a single UK-wide department covering Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Official Statements & Responses
Drakeford reiterated his position, noting that former Prime Minister Tony Blair had also entertained the idea and that discussions about the Wales Office have persisted in Westminster for more than a decade.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Yes, I think the time has come for us to think about that.” — Mark Drakeford, labour first minister — Mark Drakeford, Labour First Minister