CAMPAIGNERS have urged First Minister Mark Drakeford to be more radical when he delivers his final New Year message Sunday.

Mr Drakeford has announced that, after five years of leading the Welsh government, he will step down in March.

He is expected to use his final message to say the fighting must stop in the Middle East, but he will avoid calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza despite November’s vote in the Welsh Senedd.

Palestine solidarity campaigners have urged Mr Drakeford to appeal for an immediate end to the violence.

Welsh Labour member of Flintshire County Council Sam Swash said: “Over the last three months, hundreds of thousands of protesters, hundreds of cross-party councillors and campaign groups and the Senedd itself have used their positions to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. 

“It is now time for the outgoing First Minister to use his final New Year’s message in the role to lend his voice to the overwhelming global call for an end to the war on Gaza,” Cllr Swash said.

Unison Cymru Wales regional secretary Jess Turner said: “Tackling poverty and protecting the vital public services that so many depend upon must be a priority in 2024.  

“The First Minister must urge decision-makers to avoid knee-jerk reactions to budget cuts, by instead focusing on future sustainability through measures like bringing services back into the public sector.”

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “Plaid Cymru’s message for 2024 is one of fairness and ambition for Wales.

“And as internationalists, we need to show moral leadership by standing up for the children of Gaza and calling for a ceasefire.”

Cardiff Palestine Solidarity campaigner Adam Johannes said: “Mark Drakeford was on the wrong side of history actively backing [British Labour Party leader Sir Keir] Starmer, who opposes an immediate ceasefire. 

“We ask him to make his New Year message courageous, working for peace, including calling for a ceasefire and joining one of the protests demanding justice for the Palestinian people.”

Welsh Labour Grassroots secretary Zoe Allan said: “We hope Mark won’t stint on vision in his message. 

“We want him to call for the next UK Labour government to devolve more powers to Wales, be anti-austerity and pro-peace.

“This is a chance for him to advocate for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and the West Bank and for the end of UK arms going to Israel through Wales.”