WELSH First Minister Mark Drakeford was praised for his collegiate leadership after announcing he is standing down as Labour leader today.

The 69-year-old “titan of Welsh politics” told a news conference in Cardiff that he hoped his replacement could be in place before Easter 2024.

Mr Drakeford, who has been Wales’ leader since December 2018, added he still had a lot to achieve over the coming months and there would be “plenty of time for political obituaries and retrospection once I’ve ceased to be First Minister, but not before.”

He was praised for braving criticism to enact progressive policies including the widespread use of 20mph limits on Welsh roads, Future Generations Act and backing a universal income trial.

Socialist Cynon Valley MP Beth Winter said he “championed a uniquely Welsh Labour that defined clear red water and spent political capital on a number of bold progressive causes.”

“He is collegiate and compassionate to his core, and showed a different way of working, always seeking to build coalitions across the party, with other parties, and across the UK at a time of ruinous and chaotic leadership at Westminster,” she added.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “Mark has set a clear standard for public service in UK politics, always putting others before himself.

“He’s a true titan of Welsh and Labour politics.”

Unison Cymru/Wales regional secretary Jess Turner thanked Mr Drakeford “for his close relationship with the trade union movement and the social partnership act which he helped deliver to place unions at the heart of decision making in Wales.”

TSSA general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said Mr Drakeford is a “principled, honourable, man whose resignation is a sad loss to Welsh politics.”

A spokesman for Momentum said he was a “consistent champion of progressive causes,” adding: “Where others purge and centralise, Mark was a beacon of collegiate and unifying leadership.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wished Mr Drakeford “all the best.”

First elected to the Senedd in 2011 as the Member for Cardiff West, he served in various ministerial roles from 2013.

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies held “a huge amount of respect for his dedication to the job of first minister.”

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth paid tribute to Mr Drakeford’s “dedication to public life” and the “tone of his leadership” during the pandemic but added “opportunities have been squandered.”

Zoe Allan, Secretary of  Welsh Labour Grassroots, said: "Even though we knew this day was coming and there had been speculation that the reason Welsh Labour Conference had been postponed was that this announcement was imminent, this has been an emotional day for us. We have so much respect and gratitude towards Mark.

"We campaigned for Mark to be leader and he has done us proud. Many of our members tell us they would have left the Party in disgust at the direction Starmer is taking UK Labour but have hung on to support Mark and his vision for Wales.

“Now, we need our members to stay and help elect a worthy successor. The case for the clear red water between UK and Welsh Labour has never been stronger."

Ian Price, Confederation of British Industry Wales director, said: “The First Minister’s record as the longest serving cabinet minister in Wales is testament to his outstanding public service.

“His leadership saved lives and livelihoods as he worked to support communities and businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic."

Tamsin Davies, deputy chair of the Welsh Language Society, Cymdeithas yr Iaith, said: “Mark Drakeford demonstrated respect for the language and an example to others by learning Welsh before becoming First Minister. He made the language a specific objective in the Well-being of Future Generations Act.”