Ex First Minister dismisses suggestion Drakeford should have an official residence
A former First Minister has dismissed a suggestion that Mark Drakeford should have an official residence.
Carwyn Jones said it would be “overkill”, despite heightened security fears after anti-lockdown protestors gathered outside Drakeford’s family home at the weekend.
A crowd of around 150 gathered outside the politician’s private residence in a street near to the city centre with chants calling for him to be arrested.
Some reports suggest that those taking part included some wearing yellow star badges, similar to those Jewish people were forced to wear in Nazi Germany.
The demonstration began with around 500 people gathering outside City Hall on Saturday, with some then moving on to Mark Drakeford’s home.
Carwyn Jones told ITV Wales: “The First Minister of Northern Ireland doesn’t have an official residence. The First Minister of Scotland does but that’s largely an anomaly.
“I think that would be overkill, I wouldn’t have wanted an official residence in Cardiff and people would start asking questions about the cost and whether it was value for money.”
‘Safe enough place’
Mark Drakeford was asked in June if he thought he needed more security, but he said he believed that Wales is a “safe enough place”.
He told Sharp End: “There are days when you think it is a sensible thing to do because anybody can stop you and anybody can say anything they like to you, but you make a judgment don’t you?”, he said while being interviewed for political programme Sharp End.
“I think we are still a safe enough place and the First Minister in Wales can go shopping, can walk to work and can do the ordinary things I try to do.”
The protest outside Drakeford’s home has been widely condemned.
Welsh Tory Senedd leader Andrew RT Davies said: “Disturbed to see crowds gathering outside Mark Drakeford’s home this afternoon.
“If you have political disagreements (and believe me @fmwales and I have many) then get involved in politics. Harassment is never acceptable. Thoughts are with the First Minister and his family.”
According to South Wales Police the protest passed peacefully, saying “no offences were identified and no arrests were made.”
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Dirty cowards attacking a man’s home. Bet they’d squeal if a gang went for theirs. Do a demo at a work place, not a home.
So its ok for Scotland and England but not for the leader of Wales?
Nicola doesn’t actually live at the residence (at least most of the time)
Better to strengthen security at the existing home than to get a residence at cost to the taxpayer.
If I was in charge of security, I would be looking at who is behind these protests, I would start with fake political groups like Abolish and I would take a deep dive into Centre for Welsh Studies and all their dark money and their far right backers. Just a thought?
Remember Olof Palme? That was a wake up for Swedes, thinking that important people could be free in their private lives. So a residence makes sense.
The obvious choice for a residence is Cardiff’s Mansion House, it already exists and is grossly underused. Cost would be minimal and may actually save on policing costs, compared to a private home. In addition it would be useful to have somewhere for official receptions etc.