Margaret Thatcher's legacy not celebrated in Wales - Drakeford

First Minister Mark Drakeford has declined to repeat Sir Keir Starmer's praise for Margaret Thatcher.

In a newspaper article, Sir Keir credited the late Conservative prime minister for effecting "meaningful change" and for setting loose Britain's "natural entrepreneurialism".

Sir Keir later told the BBC that it did not mean he agreed with her.

Mr Drakeford said her legacy in Wales was not "one that we celebrate".

In an article in the Daily Telegraph, Sir Keir wrote: "Every moment of meaningful change in modern British politics begins with the realisation that politics must act in service of the British people, rather than dictating to them.

"Margaret Thatcher sought to drag Britain out of its stupor by setting loose our natural entrepreneurialism."

He told the BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House that the point of his article was to compare what he described as the "drift" of recent years with the "sense of mission" of previous leaders.

"It doesn't mean I agree with what she (Thatcher) did, but I don't think anybody could suggest she didn't have a driving sense of purpose."

Asked by BBC Wales if he agreed with Sir Keir, Mr Drakeford said: "Well she certainly brought about devolution. I'll give her that.

"My predecessor, Rhodri Morgan, used to say that she was the most powerful recruiting sergeant for devolution of all.

"People, having lived through that period, were determined to draw decisions back into our own hands.

"Beyond that, I don't believe the legacy of Thatcherism in Wales is one that we celebrate."

Baroness Thatcher was prime minister from 1979 to 1990. Her legacy in Wales still has the power to divide opinion.

In 1983 she led the Conservative party to its best general election result in Wales, at 14 seats.

But her period in office saw the protracted miners' strike and the demise of Wales' coal industry.