Drakeford the clown

The Welsh Government has clarified that two people cannot make plans to meet-up outdoors in Wales after the first minister suggested they could.

Mark Drakeford said under Welsh rules "if one person from a household is going out and meeting another member of their family then under our rules that would be permitted".

But BBC Wales was later told individuals cannot pre-arrange to meet.

A Welsh Conservative politician said it was a "right mess".

The Welsh Government was asked for comment.

The Welsh Government has clarified that two people cannot make plans to meet-up outdoors in Wales after the first minister suggested they could.

Mark Drakeford said under Welsh rules "if one person from a household is going out and meeting another member of their family then under our rules that would be permitted".

But BBC Wales was later told individuals cannot pre-arrange to meet.

A Welsh Conservative politician said it was a "right mess".

The Welsh Government was asked for comment.

Looks like we are stuck with this buffoon who is only being awkward at the moment to lever more power away from Westminster, it’s a shame most people can’t see this is how politicians work. No we won’t agree with you boris, really? Give us a bit more power and control? Ok, we will go along with you now....bla bla....
As some people’s livelihoods go up in smoke because they can’t go back to work. W@nker

I'm staunch Labour but IMO Drakeford is a complete clown and fills me with no confidence at all.

Surely Drakeford must know he's not up to it.. I wonder what his people are telling him about the electorate.. never met one person who likes him.

In my opinion Drakeford and his cronies have failed the people of Wales in the way they have managed this Covid19 crisis. You only need to look at the "Official" policy on testing in Wales to see just how little importance Drakeford applies to this monitoring tool. Remember that the advice of the WHO is that countries should TEST, TEST and TEST but in Wales you have to work in the NHS or Care Homes to have any chance of getting a test and then you MUST be displaying symptoms to get the test done.

At the start of this crisis Drakeford & Gethin said they were looking to increase testing capacity in Wales above 5,000 a day, THEY HAVE FAILED, as on average the number of tests in Wales is around 1,000 per day. That equates to around 15,000 tests per 1m of population.

By comparison with other nations in Europe that puts us on a par with Sweden and The Netherlands and on the world stage comparable with Chile, Peru, Djbouti and Bhutan.

When pressed by the media last week Drakeford said talking about testing was a "Distraction" from talking about important policies like giving care home workers £500, REALLY. I think care home workers would appreciate being tested symptomatic or not.

Public Health Wales have told Drakeford they think a 30,000 test per day capacity is required but in the 8th week of lockdown testing capacity in Wales is the same as day 1. Drakeford will not even support the Test, Track & Trace app the UK Government is currently testing. Even the Channel Islands and Isle of Man are testing more people per !m of population than Drakefords Government.

It's time the idiot stepped aside and allowed someone capable of managing this crisis to take over.

With Wales Scotland and NI all differing from the governments advice,it’s clearly obvious it’s political points scoring,not in the interest of those countries at all.
The imbecile in charge and Gething Jones are as much use as a one legged man in an arse kicking contest.

With Wales Scotland and NI all differing from the governments advice,it’s clearly obvious it’s political points scoring,not in the interest of those countries at all.
The imbecile in charge and Gething Jones are as much use as a one legged man in an arse kicking contest.

Who is Gething Jones??

I'm staunch Labour but IMO Drakeford is a complete clown and fills me with no confidence at all.

Agreed !!

It seems his decisions are driven by political gain rather than science or common sense.

The example that I really don't get is that he keeps specifically singling out 2nd home owners as a risk to rural health boards yet has not once mentioned what he's going to do about the 80-100,000 that commute into Cardiff on a normal working day.

Surely he can see that those sort of numbers concentrated in a smaller area like Cardiff will have a much greater impact on the re-infection rate than the approximate 60000 2nd home owners across all parts of Wales, many of whom will be rural and not have a massive contact group whilst away from their main residence ?

It's not the argument on this issue itself that is the problem, it's that lack of consistency and science being used to set out the road map back to some semblance of normal and to get people back to work that worries me.

I'm no scientist but I'd like to think I have some common sense, that seems to be somewhat lacking with Mr Drakeford right now !

Opps,corrected,was reading earlier about an Gethin Jones.

With Wales Scotland and NI all differing from the governments advice,it’s clearly obvious it’s political points scoring,not in the interest of those countries at all.
The imbecile in charge and Vaughn Gething are as much use as a one legged man in an arse kicking contest.

I'm staunch Labour but IMO Drakeford is a complete clown and fills me with no confidence at all.

Agreed !!

It seems his decisions are driven by political gain rather than science or common sense.

The example that I really don't get is that he keeps specifically singling out 2nd home owners as a risk to rural health boards yet has not once mentioned what he's going to do about the 80-100,000 that commute into Cardiff on a normal working day.

Surely he can see that those sort of numbers concentrated in a smaller area like Cardiff will have a much greater impact on the re-infection rate than the approximate 60000 2nd home owners across all parts of Wales, many of whom will be rural and not have a massive contact group whilst away from their main residence ?

It's not the argument on this issue itself that is the problem, it's that lack of consistency and science being used to set out the road map back to some semblance of normal and to get people back to work that worries me.

I'm no scientist but I'd like to think I have some common sense, that seems to be somewhat lacking with Mr Drakeford right now !

The 2nd home owners thing is just another excuse to bash the English as most come from there, it’s so pathetic it’s unreal. I know one or two who have then in the arse end of nowhere in Pembrokeshire, when they go there they say they will hardly see a soul as it’s so remote. He made it down there last weekend with his kids and is saying his whole families are a lot happier, still hasn’t seen his closest neighbours who are about half mile away.....spreading the virus hey

When you see Sturgeon and how impressive a leader she is, then it hits home how piss poor Drakeford is. He has no redeeming qualities whatsoever.

His predecessor Carwyn was much more credible. I don't doubt that drakeford cares but frankly hes as embarrassing as our long gone half time entertainment on my shed son

Surely Drakeford must know he's not up to it.. I wonder what his people are telling him about the electorate.. never met one person who likes him.

I don't like him particularly either, but in all truth,not one nation amongst the four,except maybe the Irish one,are fit for office! ! The whole country in being bungled through the whole thing!

And now estate agents can open up in England and people can move, but not here in Wales ffs.....so much movement between cardiff and Bristol just for starters.....will the fool give up now? Loads of traffic in Cardiff yesterday anyway

I don't like him particularly either, but in all truth,not one nation amongst the four,except maybe the Irish one,are fit for office! ! The whole country in being bungled through the whole thing! [/quote]


It’s time Politicians were stopped from leading.. they no more become good administrators overnight than any other profession would, and this has been proven in 20 years of the Assembly.

Should put these posts out to people who have had experience of such, and leave the likes of Drakeford to open the church fete..although I’m not sure anyone would want him to do that he’s such a bungling amateur.

Drakeford (like Sturgeon) has seen the daily press conference from westminster and thinks it's not fair that Boris Johnson and the chief medical and science officer are getting all the limelight. which is why you now have the embarrassing spectacle of Drayford and Gething and Mildred from the welsh national bandage service having their own press conference where they talk about things like whether the No 47 bus from Blaenavon to Bridgend will still run twice a day. FFS

Drayford is an incompetent fool and Gething looks like a Swiss Tony wannabe. Sturgeon is equally as bad. She gets privileged info from Westminster re lock down . stats etc - and then makes sure she has her press conferences before Westminster where she reveals the information. Childish politics from a childish politician - who'd have guessed that.

20+ years of Labour in the WAG - one party govt voted in by the welsh time after time

Drakeford (like Sturgeon) has seen the daily press conference from westminster and thinks it's not fair that Boris Johnson and the chief medical and science officer are getting all the limelight. which is why you now have the embarrassing spectacle of Drayford and Gething and Mildred from the welsh national bandage service having their own press conference where they talk about things like whether the No 47 bus from Blaenavon to Bridgend will still run twice a day. FFS

Drayford is an incompetent fool and Gething looks like a Swiss Tony wannabe. Sturgeon is equally as bad. She gets privileged info from Westminster re lock down . stats etc - and then makes sure she has her press conferences before Westminster where she reveals the information. Childish politics from a childish politician - who'd have guessed that.

20+ years of Labour in the WAG - one party govt voted in by the welsh time after time

Having criticised Drakeford above, I should balance that by saying the alternatives in Wales (and England) would be even more worrying

The guy in charge of the Welsh Tories is a complete imbecile and whilst I'm not completely anti-Plaid their isolationist policies are pretty concerning.

In summary, Drakeford is crap but no worldies on the bench either

I think Plaid are desperate to stay out of power as its easier to chirp from the sidelines, as the SNP are finding. Some credit to Kier Starmer, who has been understanding of this Govt and the current problems theyre facing. Some in Labour want the knives out, which is not the time right now..

Welsh Tories may as well not bother..we're stuck with Labour and no credible alternative. Its bad for us, but bad for Labour as well tho' as they govern with inertia..

Drakeford (like Sturgeon) has seen the daily press conference from westminster and thinks it's not fair that Boris Johnson and the chief medical and science officer are getting all the limelight. which is why you now have the embarrassing spectacle of Drayford and Gething and Mildred from the welsh national bandage service having their own press conference where they talk about things like whether the No 47 bus from Blaenavon to Bridgend will still run twice a day. FFS

Drayford is an incompetent fool and Gething looks like a Swiss Tony wannabe. Sturgeon is equally as bad. She gets privileged info from Westminster re lock down . stats etc - and then makes sure she has her press conferences before Westminster where she reveals the information. Childish politics from a childish politician - who'd have guessed that.

20+ years of Labour in the WAG - one party govt voted in by the welsh time after time

Best post I've read for a while mate. Made me laugh out loud a few times too

Just checked, Blaenavon bus is once a day...

I dont know who the leader of the welsh Tory party is, and the bloke from Plaid seems decent enough , in a I'll have a pint with him type way. But you are right - plaid dont wont power - they want to play the part of the down trodden party. No plan themselves whatsoever.

What I wanted to convey is that 20+ years of just 1 party in power is a very very bad for everyone. FFS give someone else a go - other than Labour.

The WAG will probably find a link to Westminster re the reason it's only once a day. There are a few things the WAG do that are great - things that dont need to be done from London. But the level of debate, the level of intelligence is very very poor. All it's added is another layer of red tape.

None of Welsh Labour has the incentive to do a good job - as they know full well that the majority of Wales will vote Labour and they'll get back in power - just like the last 20 years.

Going back to the current lot at Westminster - Im not sure people voted for Boris Johnson did so for his Global Pandemic leadership skills or even his vast medical knowledge. We have a problem - he did the logical thing called in the experts we have and took their advice.

If jeremy Corbyn was in power - would he do anything different ? - would he have ignored the Chief Medical and Chief Scientific Officer advice - and done something different - dont think so.

All of a sudden we seem to be surrounded by celebs and comedians - who were really global pandemic experts all along. I used to think these people were rare - but apparently they are everywhere. Russell Brand is the latest to reveal himself as a closet Global Pandemic boffin along with vast virology knowledge - and there was me thinking he was just a manipulative bellend

Petty politics, as said above they spoil the proper announcement by making it themselves earlier and making stupid amendments to try and make themselves sound more important than they are!

They manage the health budget's and Westminster will cover the furlough, so by trying to keep everyone home, they will be spending Westminsters while keeping their health costs down.

Adam Pryce from plaid was given almost a million of taxpayers hard earned, and blew the lot with his failed business venture.
What’s worse than his buffoonery, is that some monkey in the Bay approved it. Theres no hope for the WAG at all..

Covid-19 exit plan set for Friday publication

The Welsh Government hopes to publish its coronavirus exit plan on Friday, the first minister has said.

Mark Drakeford told the virtual session of the Senedd the plan was "being worked on".

"I want it to be clear and I want it to be readily understood by the readership of the Welsh public," he said.

Mr Drakeford was answering a question from Conservative leader in the Welsh Parliament, Paul Davies.

Welsh ministers have been facing calls to spell out plans for moving out of lockdown after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his proposals, which are mainly for England.

His predecessor Carwyn was much more credible. I don't doubt that drakeford cares but frankly hes as embarrassing as our long gone half time entertainment on my shed son

I am glad someone else remembers this !

Didn’t they wheel on a shed at half time and a few of the crowd had to knock a ball through the window

Indeed they did northside. We could create that intimidating atmosphere from a block the half Grange and the Bob in full voice but on my shed son? Lol

Well to be precise it had to hit the roof smash the window.? You're old school mate

It is a right mess.

But those at blame are not Drakeford and Welsh Labour but the Prime Minister and the Government.

In fairness to Wez, he would never admit that.

The Tories seem to be pulling at straws after the annihilation Keir gave the PM yesterday.

It is a right mess.

But those at blame are not Drakeford and Welsh Labour but the Prime Minister and the Government.

In fairness to Wez, he would never admit that.

The Tories seem to be pulling at straws after the annihilation Keir gave the PM yesterday.

Too easy for any opposition to have a go in the current climate. Can you imagine the carnage if that other shambles of a party had win a few months ago....keir looks decent to be fair but he hasn’t got any mps behind him anymore and his party I’d still so divided.

It baffles me why so many posters on this forum support a Welsh team but at the same time are ready to run anything Wesh down.
I for one, am glad I live in Wales and am still in lockdown. I’m certainly not a Labour supporter but thak goodness we have an option here in Wales as Johnson has lost the plot completely. With more deaths than any other country bar USA do you really believe we are ready to come out of lockdown? Wales, Scotland ans NI don’t, and it’s not political point scoring it’s about saving lives!