Former Welsh Leader Drakeford Calls for Abolishing Wales Office

Former Welsh first minister Mark Drakeford has urged that the Wales Office, a UK government department created six decades ago, be discontinued. He argued that the office no longer serves a distinct purpose after most of its responsibilities were transferred to the Welsh government in Cardiff Bay in 1999.

Drakeford highlighted that the devolution settlement has given Cardiff the majority of powers originally held by the Wales Office, making the London‑based department largely redundant. He suggested that the functions it still performs could be absorbed by existing Welsh institutions.

The proposal comes as part of an ongoing debate about the structure of UK devolution and the efficiency of central government bodies that oversee devolved administrations.

Why It Matters

The suggestion reflects broader discussions in the UK about streamlining governance and the future of devolution, issues that affect UK‑EU relations and regional policy making.