Mark Drakeford shakes with rage as he launches blistering attack on Welsh Tory leader after question on NHS waits

19 October 2022, 06:23 | Updated: 19 October 2022, 06:36

Mark Drakeford in heated exchange with Welsh Conservatives leader

By Daisy Stephens

This is the moment Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford launched a blistering attack on the leader of the Welsh Conservatives after he asked a question about ambulance wait times.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Tensions flared in the Welsh Parliament as Mr Drakeford, shaking with anger, accused Andrew RT Davies of claiming "some sort of moral high ground".

He raised his voice and pointed his finger at Mr Davies as he referred to the "mess" the Tories had made of budgets and the country's reputation.

Those sitting around Mr Drakeford nodded and banged their desks.

Read more: Under-fire Truss set to face Commons for first time since new poll of Tory members shows they want her out

Read more: Suella Braverman slams 'Guardian-reading, tofu-eating wokerati' for eco-protest chaos

Addressing Mr Davies, Mr Drakeford said: "It is shocking.

"It is absolutely shocking to me that you think that you can turn up here this afternoon, with the mess that your party has made to the budgets of this country, to the reputation of this country around the world, that you promise those people that there will be more to come.

"And you think you turn up here this afternoon and claim some sort of moral high ground?

"What sort of world do you belong in?"

Usually calm and collected, Mr Drakeford lost his temper in the Welsh Parliament on Tuesday
Usually calm and collected, Mr Drakeford lost his temper in the Welsh Parliament on Tuesday. Picture: Alamy

Mr Drakeford also defended health workers, saying to Mr Davies: "You have chosen to use that language here this afternoon.

"And what do those people face?

"They face cuts to their pay because of the policy of your Government, and now they face cuts to the budgets that the health service itself will have at its disposal."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal arrives at Molinuex

Millionaire Premier League star earning £150k a week loses HMRC court battle over hundreds of thousands in unpaid tax

Actress Kim Sae-ron attends 2017 Mnet Asian Music Awards at Asia World-Expo on December 1, 2017 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

South Korean ‘Bloodhounds’ and ‘The Man from Nowhere’ star Kim Sae-ron found dead at 24

Emergency services were called just after 7pm on Friday amid reports a woman had suffered serious injuries

'Screaming, shouting, crying': Landlady breaks silence after woman shot dead at village pub - as manhunt continues

Exclusive
Jonathan Reynolds told LBC’s Iain Dale that NATO is ‘a highly effective integrated defensive structure’, and that US requests for higher European spending on the alliance are ‘not unreasonable’.

Europe must ‘work closely’ with US to face Russia, Business Sec tells LBC ahead of emergency Ukraine summit

.T. Miller #10 of Team USA and Colton Parayko #55 of Team Canada fight during the first period in the 4 Nations Face-Off game at the Bell Centre on February 15, 2025

Gloves off: Three fights in first nine seconds as USA beat Canada to reach 4 Nations ice hockey final

Exclusive
Europe must boost defence spending if it wants peace, Ukraine's former PM has told LBC.

‘If you want peace, pay for it', says ex-Ukrainian PM as Starmer to 'overrule' Reeves and boost defence spending

Lucy Letby was ‘shocked and distressed’ during the investigation into the deaths of babies that she was later found guilty of murdering, and ‘deserves an Oscar’ if she was lying, her former boss said.

Lucy Letby was 'innocent', distressed and ‘deserves an Oscar if she was acting’ says former boss

Jockey Michael O'Sullivan at Ascot Racecourse. Picture date: Friday November 22, 2024.

Cheltenham-winning jockey Michael O'Sullivan dies aged just 24 after fall in race

Prime Minister Keir Starmer Meets With Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves At Downing Street

Starmer to 'overrule' Reeves and call for increased defence spending ahead of meeting with Donald Trump

images shared on social media show police arresting a man following the attack.

'Laughing' Syrian asylum seeker who stabbed boy, 14, to death was motivated by 'Islamic terrorism'

Axel Rudakubana has been jailed for 52 years.

FBI joins investigation into Southport killer amid claims he wiped internet search history

Heavy Rush In Trains For Last Amrit Snan On Prayagraj Kumbh

At least 15 dead in train station stampede in New Delhi

Pope Francis Attends The Weekly General Audience on Wednesday.

Pope Francis to miss Sunday prayer due to 'absolute rest' order after bronchitis diagnosis

Udoka Godwin-Malife

Burton Albion defender allegedly target of racist abuse by fan

Applegreen petrol station in New Town, Uckfield, Sussex.

Teenager dies after car overturned at Sussex petrol station

Starmer, Trump and Putin.

'Once in a generation moment': Starmer warns against NATO division ahead of emergency summit on Ukraine