Emotional Mark Drakeford says he will carry on under 'intolerable burden of grief' after loss of his wife

Mark Drakeford was given a standing ovation as he spoke about carrying on with the "intolerable burden of grief" during his conference speech.

The First Minister of Wales was speaking at the Welsh Labour spring conference in Llandudno. In the piece he spoke about his childhood while saying that the UK needed to ditch first part the post, remake the Union while comparing Boris Johnson to the Roman emperor Nero.

Mr Drakeford's wife Clare died unexpectedly at the end of January. He didn't address what he and his family had been through until the very end of the speech. He thanked people for all the kind messages he had received.

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He said: “I have experienced and appreciated that kindness over the past weeks. Words of kindness and sympathy, from people within our party, and also from people I’ve never met.

"That has been a strength to me, personally. A heartfelt thanks to you all.”

Labour leader Keir Starmer shakes hands with First Minister of Wales and leader of the Welsh Labour Mark Drakeford at the Welsh Labour Conference at Venue Cymru in Llandudno (Getty Images)

Speaking to WalesOnline after the speech Mr Drakeford said the death of his wife told him that he had to seize the day when it came to issues such as climate change.

A visibly emotional First Minister said: "If you think of what has happened to me and my family in recent times, it absolutely does say that you've got to grasp the opportunity while you've got it because that opportunity may be just snatched away from you and not be there. So part of what lies behind what I say today is, definitely a reflection on that experience, that the urgency to use the opportunity while you've got it because you can't rely on it being there forever."

After he became a bit choked up during his speech but still ploughed on the First Minster was given a standing ovation by the conference audience. Several of those watching were visibly crying.

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