MARK Drakeford, Leader of Welsh Labour, did not anticipate Welsh Labour MPs resigning the party whip and joining the independents who left the Parliamentary party last week.

He was speaking immediately prior to a Welsh Government cabinet meeting held in Llandudno Junction on Thursday February 21, which he had called as First Minister.

This was only the second time the cabinet has met in North Wales, the previous occasion was in 2011.

Mr Drakeford said: “I think it has always been the tradition in the Welsh Labour party where we have differences in views, and you will always have differences of view in a broad church, that we share those differences inside the party.

“We debate and discuss between us and we come to an agreed position. If this isn’t something you believe in, you stay and fight for another day. That’s our tradition and that’s how I think we should go on.”