Fourth Shadow Cabinet of Andrew RT Davies
Senedd Shadow Cabinet since 2021
Welsh Conservatives
16 / 60 (27%)
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 2017-2018 and the third from January-March 2021.
Background
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]
History
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.
2024 Reshuffle
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]
Changes
- Laura Anne Jones was asked to "stand back" from the Shadow Cabinet by Andrew RT Davies on 14 June 2024, after screenshots were released appearing to show Jones instructing a member of staff to overclaim on her expenses.[8] She had been under investigation by the Senedd's Standards Commissioner and the South Wales police for her expenses claims since May 2024.[9][10]
- Russell George stood down from the Shadow Cabinet on 25 June 2024, pending investigation from the Gambling Commission into bets he made on the date of the 2024 United Kingdom general election.[11]
Members
March 2021 - April 2024
| Portfolio | Name | Constituency | Term | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leader of the Opposition |  | Andrew RT Davies MS | South Wales Central | March 2021 – | |
| Shadow Minister for Finance |  | Peter Fox MS | Monmouth | March 2021 – | |
| 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 – | |
| 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 – | |
| 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 – | |
| 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 – | |
April 2024 - Present
| Portfolio | Name | Constituency | Term | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leader of the Opposition | | Andrew RT Davies MS | South Wales Central | March 2021 – | |
| Shadow Minister for Finance and Local Government | | Peter Fox MS | Monmouth | March 2021 – | |
| Shadow Minister for Mid Wales and Deputy Whip | | Russell George MS | Montgomeryshire | April 2024 - June 2024[11] | |
| Shadow Minister for West Wales | | Paul Davies MS | Preseli Pembrokeshire | April 2024 - | |
| Shadow Minister for Climate Change | | Janet Finch-Saunders MS | Aberconwy | May 2021 – | |
| Shadow Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism | | Laura Anne Jones MS | South Wales East | April 2024 - June 2024[8] | |
| Shadow Counsel General Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning | | Mark Isherwood MS | North Wales | April 2024 - | |
| Shadow Minister for the Constitution and North Wales Chief Whip Business Manager | | Darren Millar MS | Clwyd West | May 2021 - | |
| Shadow Minister for Social Care | | Altaf Hussain MS | South Wales West | April 2024 - | |
| Shadow Minister for Economy and Energy | | Samuel Kurtz MS | Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire | April 2024 - | |
| Shadow Minister for Health | | Sam Rowlands MS | North Wales | April 2024 - | |
| Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs | | James Evans MS | Brecon and Radnorshire | April 2024 - | |
| Shadow Minister for Transport | | Natasha Asghar MS | South Wales East | May 2021 - | |
| Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Early Years | | Gareth Davies MS | Vale of Clwyd | April 2024 - | |
| Shadow Minister for Education and Welsh Language | | Tom Giffard MS | South Wales West | April 2024 - | |
| Shadow Minister for Social Partnership | | Joel James MS | South Wales Central | May 2021 - | |
Changes
- Laura Anne Jones was asked to "stand back" from the Shadow Cabinet by Andrew RT Davies on 14 June 2024, after screenshots were released appearing to show Jones instructing a member of staff to overclaim on her expenses.[8] She had been under investigation by the Senedd's Standards Commissioner and the South Wales police for her expenses claims since May 2024.[9][10]
- Russell George stood down from the Shadow Cabinet on 25 June 2024, pending investigation from the Gambling Commission into bets he made on the date of the 2024 United Kingdom general election.[11]
See also
References
- ^ "Covid: Senedd drinking a 'possible breach' of Wales alcohol ban". BBC News. 22 January 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ "Senedd alcohol row: PM 'expects above and beyond' on Covid". BBC News. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ "Tory Senedd leader Paul Davies quits over alcohol row". BBC News. 23 January 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ "Wales election: Nick Ramsay leaves Welsh Tories to stand as independent". BBC News. 29 March 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "Andrew RT Davies insists he's not 'caretaker' Tory Senedd leader". Nation.Cymru. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ a b Owen, Cathy (27 May 2021). "Tory MSs who drank in Senedd during alcohol ban get top roles". WalesOnline. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ a b c Price, Emily (18 April 2024). "Welsh Conservatives reshuffle shadow cabinet". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ a b c "Laura Anne Jones: Tory MS stripped of job over expenses row". BBC News. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister under investigation by police and Standards Commissioner". 17 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Laura Anne Jones: Text messages emerge in Tory expenses row". BBC News. 13 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
- ^ a b c Crerar, Pippa; Dodd, Vikram; Stacey, Kiran (25 June 2024). "Election betting: Fifth Tory investigated in growing scandal". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
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