Come on Mr Drakeford. Let us into the secret.

It's no secret that Wales is in a mess

The recent budget cuts, on top of the health and social care already in crisis.

Education services are struggling.

Affordable homes shortage.

Low wages.

Local services are regularly cut.

Business productivity is continually low.

Stagnating economy.

Can't afford to do this, can't afford to do that.

It's no secret Wales is in a mess

What the First Minister and Welsh Labour government are doing to resolve this mess, now that's a secret.

Since the start of devolution, now 24 years, Wales have failed to reach [ the modest ] standards of even the other UK nations. In the key areas.

Healthcare, education, affordable homes, average earnings.

The Welsh Labour government, who have run the show for all those years, give the constant excuse of lack of funding from Westminster.

This however,although relevant, can't be the only reason for the poor performance relative to the rest of the UK, as they too suffer from the UK’s poor economic performance and financial mismanagement.

Although the Welsh Labour government has clearly failed to deliver, Wales does suffer from a financial shortfall and the lack of economic options available to the Welsh government.

The Welsh government recognises this, as their constant cry for a greater share from Westminster.

However, by and large, Wales does get its share of the cake, at least, within settlements and the constitutional arrangements agreed by the Welsh government. Indeed, they described the last settlement of the Wales Act, 2017, as a ‘ good and long lasting agreement ‘.

The problem isn't the share of the cake, but the size of the cake and that is decided by the UK government, or rather the shortcomings of the UK.

The UK simply isn't earning enough to pay its way.

So what’s the secret plan?

The First Minister of Wales has given a clue as to what it might be.

A Labour government in Westminster.

And the implementation of Welsh Labour's ideas to reform the Union.

That's what Mr Drakeford is betting the house on, or rather the Welsh people’s future on.

If that is the secret plan, then Welsh people, I think we may be in trouble.

To believe that Wales will get a greater share or that the Wales reforms will lead to a bigger financial cake within the framework of the UK Union, is contrary to economic and political reality.

The UK budget deficit for 2023/24 is projected, by the Office for Budget Responsibility [ OBR ], to be £131 billion and the most optimistic forecast is that despite austerity measures, it will be a deficit of £50 billion in 2028.

It is forecast that by 2028, in cash terms, the UK national debt will be £3 trillion and Wales will be saddled with its share.

The hope that a Labour government in Westminster will turn that around and share the benefits equally, is hopelessly misplaced.

Neither is history supportive of Mr Drakeford’s hopes.

Since 1970, there have only been five occasions where the United Kingdom has had a balanced budget. The last of those in 2000/1.

Since that time the UK has been governed in Westminster, almost equally, by Labour and Tory administrations.

Neither has managed the trick of keeping the UK out of debt.

Also, depressingly, for Mr Drakefords hopes, under a Labour Westminster government for the first half of devolution. Wales was still the UK’s worst performer in the chief areas of Health, Education, Earnings and Industrial performance.

It also had the dubious distinction of having the most deprived  areas of the UK. So poor that it qualified for aid from the EU.

It seemed that Labour’s socialist principles of distribution of wealth, did not extend as far as Wales.

And reform, at least the reform that will benefit Wales, seems to be having a lukewarm reception elsewhere,

Scotland will not be satisfied with less than Independence. Those that thought the issue would lose impetus following the 2014 referendum, failed to properly consider the support Independence has there.

N.Ireland, with Sinn Fein gaining momentum and the younger generation less embedded in Unionism, are heading for unification.

England! Well they are looking after England,

Northern Powerhouse, Levelling up, London as the financial centre, of course.

And the two major political parties in Westminster confirming this,

The Tories' Levelling Up white paper and Labour’s Constitutional Commission show little differences in their concentration of devolution of powers to the English regions, limited powers, all available financial resources directed to that end.

Both parties see financial policy and control remaining in Westminster.

Both parties make clear that there is to be little real change regarding the other nations of the UK.

So if there is little headway to be made within the structure of the UK, what can Mr Drakefords secret plan be?

Perhaps he intends to lead Welsh Labour on a crusade to enable Wales to do things for themselves.

To use its own resources and improve things for itself.

To not rely on a failing UK.

But wouldn't it be nice if he didn’t keep it so secret.