Andrew RT Davies Shadow Cabinet | |
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Shadow Cabinet of Wales | |
2021–2024 | |
Date formed | 27 May 2021 |
Date dissolved | 5 December 2024 |
People and organisations | |
Monarch | Elizabeth II Charles III |
Leader of the Opposition | Andrew RT Davies |
Member party | |
Status in legislature | Official Opposition 16 / 60 (27%) |
History | |
Legislature term | 6th Senedd |
Predecessor | Third Shadow Cabinet of Andrew RT Davies |
Successor | Shadow Cabinet of Darren Millar |
Andrew RT Davies became the Leader of the Opposition in Wales after the 2021 Senedd election, when the Welsh Conservatives became the second largest party in the Senedd, with 16 seats.
RT Davies had previously formed three other Shadow Cabinets, the first from 2011-2016, the second from 2017 to 2018 and the third from January to March 2021.
On 3 December 2024, Davies resigned as leader of the Welsh Conservatives, and was replaced on 5 December by Darren Millar.
RT Davies had become leader of the Welsh Conservatives again, after having served in the post from 2011-2018, after his replacement as leader Paul Davies resigned in January 2021, after having been seen drinking with other politicians on the Senedd estate on 8 and 9 December 2020, at the time believed to be a possible breach of COVID-19 regulations in Wales. [1] [2] [3] RT Davies had formed his third Shadow Cabinet from the 24th, the date he took leadership, but it concluded shortly after, after Nick Ramsay left the Welsh Conservatives to run as an independent, having been deselected by his local Conservative Party. [4] This tied the Welsh Conservatives and Plaid Cymru on 10 seats each, meaning there was no Shadow Cabinet from March until the 2021 Senedd Election.
The Welsh Conservatives won 16 seats in the 2021 Senedd Election a record for the party. Davies said after the election that he would remain in post until the next election in 2026. [5] He later formed his shadow cabinet on the 27 May 2021 with members that left the frontbench after the 'booze gate', Darren Miller and Paul Davies, re-entering the frontbench. [6]
On 27 May 2021, RT Davies announced the placements within his new Shadow Cabinet. Paul Davies and Darren Millar, who had both left the Welsh Conservative front bench were re-appointed, with Paul Davies taking the role of Shadow Minister for the Economy, and Millar taking the role of Shadow Minister for the Constitution and North Wales, as well as the role of Chief Whip. [6] Newly elected Peter Fox was appointed as Shadow Minister for Finance, Natasha Asghar was appointed as Shadow Minister for Transport and Technology, Sam Rowlands was appointed as Shadow Minister for Local Government, Laura Anne Jones was appointed as Shadow Minister for Education, Russell George as Shadow Minister for Health, Mark Isherwood as Shadow Minister for Social Justice, Janet Finch-Saunders as Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Altaf Hussain as Shadow Minister for Equalities and as deputy whip, Tom Giffard as Shadow Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, James Evans as Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing, and mid-Wales, Samuel Kurtz as Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs and the Welsh Language, Joel James as Shadow Minister for Social Partnership and Gareth Davies as Shadow Minister for Social Services.
On 18 April 2024, RT Davies announced a reshuffle to his Shadow Cabinet. [7] Laura Anne Jones was appointed Shadow Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Tom Giffard was appointed as Shadow Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, Sam Kurtz was appointed as Shadow Minister for Economy and Energy, James Evans was appointed as Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, Gareth Davies was appointed as Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Early Years, Paul Davies was appointed Shadow Minister for West Wales, Russell George was appointed Shadow Minister for Mid Wales and Deputy Whip, Mark Isherwood was appointed as Shadow Counsel General and Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning, Altaf Hussain was made Shadow Minister for Social Care, Peter Fox had responsibility for Local Government added to his role as Shadow Finance Minister and Sam Rowlands was appointed Shadow Minister for Health. [7] Natasha Asghar, Janet Finch-Saunders, Joel James and Darren Millar all remained in their previous posts. [7]
On 28 November 2024, it was reported by Nation.Cymru that Davies had been asked to step down by members of the Welsh Conservative group. [13] Later that same day it was reported that he would face a confidence vote in the Welsh Conservative group meeting on Tuesday 3 December. [14] [15] He survived the confidence vote, reportedly with the support of 9 out of 16 members, including his own. [16] [17] The vote was not held as a secret ballot, instead as a show of hands, after a motion by Davies and seconded by Laura Anne Jones. [18] Shortly after the vote, Davies resigned as leader of the Welsh Conservatives, stating he viewed his position as untenable, after a number of members of the Conservative Shadow Cabinet privately threatened to resign if he remained in post. [19] [17] [20] He formally left the role on 5 December 2024, after his replacement Darren Millar was elected unanimously within the Welsh Conservative group. [21] [22]
This article is part of a series within the Politics of the United Kingdom on the |
Politics of Wales |
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Portfolio | Name | Constituency | Term | ||
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Leader of the Opposition | Andrew RT Davies MS | South Wales Central | March 2021 – December 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Finance | Peter Fox MS | Monmouth | March 2021 – December 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Health | Russell George MS | Montgomeryshire | March 2021 – April 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for the Economy | Paul Davies MS | Preseli Pembrokeshire | March 2021 – April 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Climate Change | Janet Finch-Saunders MS | Aberconwy | March 2021 – December 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Education | Laura Anne Jones MS | South Wales East | March 2021 – April 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Social Justice | Mark Isherwood MS | North Wales | March 2021 – April 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for the Constitution and North Wales, Chief Whip and Business Manager | Darren Millar MS | Clwyd West | March 2021 – December 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Equalities Deputy Whip | Altaf Hussain MS | South Wales West | March 2021 – April 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs and the Welsh Language | Samuel Kurtz MS | Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire | March 2021 – April 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Local Government | Sam Rowlands MS | North Wales | March 2021 – April 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing and mid Wales | James Evans MS | Brecon and Radnorshire | March 2021 – April 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Transport | Natasha Asghar MS | South Wales East | March 2021 – December 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Social Services | Gareth Davies MS | Vale of Clwyd | March 2021 – April 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport | Tom Giffard MS | South Wales West | March 2021 – April 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Social Partnership | Joel James MS | South Wales Central | March 2021 – December 2024 | ||
Portfolio | Name | Constituency | Term | ||
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Leader of the Opposition | Andrew RT Davies MS | South Wales Central | March 2021 – December 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Finance and Local Government | Peter Fox MS | Monmouth | March 2021 – December 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Mid Wales and Deputy Whip | Russell George MS | Montgomeryshire | April 2024 - June 2024 [12] | ||
Shadow Minister for West Wales | Paul Davies MS | Preseli Pembrokeshire | April 2024 - December 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Climate Change | Janet Finch-Saunders MS | Aberconwy | May 2021 – December 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism | Laura Anne Jones MS | South Wales East | April 2024 - June 2024 [8] 3 December 2024 - 5 December 2024 [11] | ||
Shadow Counsel General Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning | Mark Isherwood MS | North Wales | April 2024 - December 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for the Constitution and North Wales Chief Whip Business Manager | Darren Millar MS | Clwyd West | May 2021 - December 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Social Care | Altaf Hussain MS | South Wales West | April 2024 - December 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Economy and Energy | Samuel Kurtz MS | Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire | April 2024 - December 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Health | Sam Rowlands MS | North Wales | April 2024 - December 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs | James Evans MS | Brecon and Radnorshire | April 2024 - December 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Transport | Natasha Asghar MS | South Wales East | May 2021 - December 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Early Years | Gareth Davies MS | Vale of Clwyd | April 2024 - December 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Education and Welsh Language | Tom Giffard MS | South Wales West | April 2024 - December 2024 | ||
Shadow Minister for Social Partnership | Joel James MS | South Wales Central | May 2021 - December 2024 | ||
Laura Anne Jones is a Conservative politician who has been the Member of the Senedd (MS) for the South Wales East electoral region since July 2020, having previously held the same seat as an Assembly Member (AM) in the National Assembly for Wales between 2003 and 2007. Jones also served as a county councillor for the Wyesham ward in Monmouthshire County Council from 2017 to 2022.
Mark Allan Isherwood is a Welsh Conservative Party politician, who has served as a Member of the Senedd (MS) for the North Wales region since 2003. He is currently Shadow Counsel General and Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning. Isherwood has held a number of Shadow Ministerial positions for the Welsh Conservatives since he was first elected, at various points holding portfolios for Finance, Social Justice, North Wales, Europe, Housing, Communities and Local Government, among others.
Jonathan Morgan, is a Welsh Conservative politician, who served as a Conservative Assembly Member (AM) for South Wales Central from 1999 to 2007 and AM for Cardiff North from 2007 to 2011. In the National Assembly elections in 2011 he was beaten by Labour's candidate Julie Morgan, wife of former First Minister Rhodri Morgan. He is currently chair of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and Chairman of the Welsh NHS Confederation.
Nick Ramsay is a British politician who served as the Member of the Senedd (MS) for Monmouth from 2007 to 2021. Originally a member of the Welsh Conservatives, he served as Shadow Minister of Finance under Conservative Leader in the Senedd, Paul Davies, but lost the position in January 2021 under the new leadership of Andrew RT Davies. Ramsay sat as an Independent member before unsuccessfully seeking reelection as an Independent in the 2021 Senedd election.
Darren David Millar is a Welsh politician who has served as the leader of the Welsh Conservatives since December 2024, and Member of the Senedd (MS) for Clwyd West since 2007.
The Welsh Conservatives, also known as the Welsh Conservative Party, is the branch of the United Kingdom Conservative Party that operates in Wales. At Westminster elections, it is the second-most popular political party in Wales by vote share, having obtained the second-largest share of the vote at every general election since 1931. In Senedd elections, the Conservatives are currently the second-most supported party but have at times been third. As of 2024, they hold none of the 32 Welsh seats in the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and 16 of the 60 seats in the Senedd.
Thomas Alun Rhys Davies is a Welsh Labour and Co-operative party politician serving as the Member of the Senedd (MS) for Blaenau Gwent since 2011, and formerly Mid and West Wales from 2007 to 2011. He has served in several Welsh government offices, including Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services, Minister for Lifelong Learning and Welsh Language, and Minister for Natural Resources and Food.
Andrew Robert Tudor Davies CBE is a Welsh politician who has served as Member of the Senedd for the South Wales Central region since 2007.
Paul Windsor Davies is a British politician who has served as Member of the Senedd (MS) for Preseli Pembrokeshire since 2007. He served as Leader of the Welsh Conservatives and Leader of the Opposition in Wales from June 2018 to January 2021, resigning after possible breaches of Welsh COVID-19 rules. He had previously been Deputy Leader from 2011 to 2018 and Acting Leader in 2011 and 2018.
The Welsh Shadow Cabinet is formed from members of the official opposition in the Senedd, the largest party not part of the Welsh Government, to scrutinise ministers in the Welsh Cabinet. It is led by the Leader of the Opposition, who typically appoints members of the Senedd (MSs) from their party as shadow ministers with portfolios which mirror ministerial posts in the Cabinet who scrutinise ministers and can propose their own alternative policies. Other opposition parties in the Senedd also appoint frontbench teams of spokespeople who perform the same function. These are also sometimes styled as "shadow cabinets" by their parties, though unlike the Shadow Cabinet they have no official recognition. Since 2021, the Shadow Cabinet has been formed from members of the Welsh Conservatives led by Andrew RT Davies, who have alternated with Plaid Cymru as the official opposition in the Senedd since its establishment as the National Assembly for Wales in 1999.
Russell Ian George is a Welsh Conservative Party politician who has been the Montgomeryshire Member of the Senedd (MS) since the 2011 election.
The 2018 Welsh Conservatives leadership election was triggered on 27 June by the resignation of Andrew RT Davies.
In the Senedd, the Leader of the Opposition is the leader of the Official Opposition, the largest political party that is not in the Welsh Government. The Leader of the Opposition leads and appoints members of the Shadow Cabinet and as such is sometimes styled as the Shadow First Minister of Wales.
Paul Davies became the Leader of the Opposition in Wales after being elected as Leader of the Welsh Conservatives on 27 June 2018 and named his Shadow Cabinet in July.
Andrew RT Davies became the Leader of the Opposition in Wales on the 24 January 2021 after the resignation of Paul Davies as leader the following day. On 29 March 2021, Nick Ramsay left the Welsh Conservative group, meaning it was no longer the largest party not in government in the Senedd, and therefore no longer the official opposition.
Joel James is a Welsh Conservative politician who has served as a Member of the Senedd (MS) for the region of South Wales Central since the 2021 Senedd election.
Nick Bourne, the leader of the Welsh Conservative Group in the National Assembly for Wales, formed his frontbench team of party spokespeople between 18 August and 25 August 1999 after he was elected unopposed to succeed Rod Richards as group leader on 18 August, having already served as acting leader since 11 August. He made a minor reshuffle to his frontbench team in 2000 and made further changes to the team after the 2003 and 2007 National Assembly elections. Bourne's party became the official opposition after the One Wales coalition was formed in July 2007, with Bourne leading a shadow cabinet as the leader of the opposition.
Nick Bourne became Leader of the Opposition in Wales after the Welsh Conservatives became the largest party that was not a part of the government in the National Assembly for Wales after the 2007 Assembly Elections. This was because the second largest overall party, Plaid Cymru, had entered into government as part of the One Wales coalition with Welsh Labour.
Andrew RT Davies became Leader of the Opposition in July 2011, after he was elected leader of the Welsh Conservatives, which formed the second largest party bloc in the National Assembly for Wales after the 2011 National Assembly for Wales election.
The 2024 Welsh Conservatives leadership election was triggered by the resignation of Andrew RT Davies on 3 December 2024. Darren Millar was the only candidate who stepped forward for the leadership. As no other candidate was nominated by the deadline for nominations at 17:00 GMT on 5 December, he was elected unopposed as the new leader of the Welsh Conservative Group in the Senedd.