Welsh leader Mark Drakeford complains of less influence under Johnson
As the Brexit transition period comes to an end, London’s strained relationship with the devolved governments in Scotland and Wales is once again coming to the fore.
Wales’ First Minister has come out complaining about his country’s diminishing influence in the national affairs of the United Kingdom.
Mark Drakeford was particularly scathing of Boris Johnson’s leadership, claiming that Wales’ and Scotland’s ties to the UK were “closer” under the leadership of Johnson’s predecessor, Theresa May.
In an interview with BBC Radio Cymru (Wales), believed to have been recorded before Christmas (December 25), Drakeford was keen on comparing the leadership styles of Johnson and May, particularly in so far as they impacted on London’s relationship with the devolved nations.
"But during the period when she [Theresa may] was prime minister, we came together, almost every week, with UK ministers - us, Scotland's first minister and so on. The relationship was closer”, Drakeford was at pains to point out.
"After Mr Johnson became prime minister, that changed. He has a majority and can do as he likes in the House of Commons, without listening to anyone else", Drakeford complained.
Drakeford’s remarkable interview with the BBC comes in the wake of the Welsh government’s repeated clashes with the Tory administration in London over the management of the coronavirus pandemic as well as lack of communication on the final stages of Brexit.
The tensions appear to have taken their toll as Drakeford, who is also the leader of the Welsh Labor Party, appears to have adopted the language, if not the mindset, of Welsh nationalists.
Comparing Wales’ situation to Scotland, Drakeford told the BBC: "I don't want to see Scotland disappearing from the United Kingdom. If Scotland decides to take its own path - it's different in Northern Ireland - we'll have to rethink about our relationship with England - and will need to consider the arrangements and the options".
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