Fourth Shadow Cabinet of Andrew RT Davies explained

Cabinet Name:Andrew RT Davies Shadow Cabinet
Cabinet Type:Shadow Cabinet
Jurisdiction:Wales
Flag:Flag of Wales 2.svg
Flag Border:true
Incumbent:2021–
Date Formed:27 May 2021
Government Head Title:Leader of the Opposition
Government Head:Andrew RT Davies
State Head Title:Monarch
State Head:Elizabeth II
Charles III
Legislature Term:6th Senedd
Previous:Third Shadow Cabinet of Andrew RT Davies

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

See main article: 2021 Welsh Conservatives leadership election and Third Shadow Cabinet of Andrew RT Davies.

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. 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. Natasha Asghar, Janet Finch-Saunders, Joel James and Darren Millar all remained in their previous posts.

Changes

Members

March 2021 - April 2024

Portfolio! colspan="3"
NameConstituencyTerm
Leader of the OppositionLeader of the Welsh ConservativesAndrew RT Davies MSSouth Wales CentralMarch 2021 –
Shadow Minister for Finance Peter Fox MSMonmouthMarch 2021 –
Shadow Minister for HealthRussell George MSMontgomeryshireMarch 2021 – April 2024
Shadow Minister for the EconomyPaul Davies MSPreseli PembrokeshireMarch 2021 – April 2024
Shadow Minister for Climate ChangeJanet Finch-Saunders MSAberconwyMarch 2021 –
Shadow Minister for EducationLaura Anne Jones MSSouth Wales EastMarch 2021 – April 2024
Shadow Minister for Social JusticeMark Isherwood MSNorth WalesMarch 2021 – April 2024
Shadow Minister for the Constitution and North Wales, Chief Whip and Business Manager Darren Millar MSClwyd WestMarch 2021 –
Shadow Minister for Equalities
Deputy Whip
Altaf Hussain MSSouth Wales WestMarch 2021 – April 2024
Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs and the Welsh LanguageSamuel Kurtz MSCarmarthen West and South PembrokeshireMarch 2021 – April 2024
Shadow Minister for Local GovernmentSam Rowlands MSNorth WalesMarch 2021 – April 2024
Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing and mid WalesJames Evans MSBrecon and RadnorshireMarch 2021 – April 2024
Shadow Minister for TransportNatasha Asghar MSSouth Wales EastMarch 2021 –
Shadow Minister for Social ServicesGareth Davies MSVale of ClwydMarch 2021 – April 2024
Shadow Minister for Culture, Tourism and SportTom Giffard MSSouth Wales WestMarch 2021 – April 2024
Shadow Minister for Social PartnershipJoel James MSSouth Wales CentralMarch 2021 –

April 2024 - Present

Portfolio! colspan="3"
NameConstituencyTerm
Leader of the OppositionLeader of the Welsh ConservativesAndrew RT Davies MSSouth Wales CentralMarch 2021 –
Shadow Minister for Finance and Local Government Peter Fox MSMonmouthMarch 2021 –
Shadow Minister for Mid Wales and Deputy WhipRussell George MSMontgomeryshireApril 2024 - June 2024[11]
Shadow Minister for West WalesPaul Davies MSPreseli PembrokeshireApril 2024 -
Shadow Minister for Climate ChangeJanet Finch-Saunders MSAberconwyMay 2021 –
Shadow Minister for Culture, Sport and TourismLaura Anne Jones MSSouth Wales EastApril 2024 - June 2024
Shadow Counsel General Shadow Minister for Housing and PlanningMark Isherwood MSNorth WalesApril 2024 -
Shadow Minister for the Constitution and North WalesChief WhipBusiness Manager Darren Millar MSClwyd WestMay 2021 -
Shadow Minister for Social CareAltaf Hussain MSSouth Wales WestApril 2024 -
Shadow Minister for Economy and EnergySamuel Kurtz MSCarmarthen West and South PembrokeshireApril 2024 -
Shadow Minister for HealthSam Rowlands MSNorth WalesApril 2024 -
Shadow Minister for Rural AffairsJames Evans MSBrecon and RadnorshireApril 2024 -
Shadow Minister for TransportNatasha Asghar MSSouth Wales EastMay 2021 -
Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Early YearsGareth Davies MSVale of ClwydApril 2024 -
Shadow Minister for Education and Welsh LanguageTom Giffard MSSouth Wales WestApril 2024 -
Shadow Minister for Social PartnershipJoel James MSSouth Wales CentralMay 2021 -

Changes

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: 2021-01-22 . Covid: Senedd drinking a 'possible breach' of Wales alcohol ban . 2021-01-31 . BBC News . en-GB.
  2. News: 2021-01-20 . Senedd alcohol row: PM 'expects above and beyond' on Covid . 2021-01-31 . BBC News . en-GB.
  3. News: 2021-01-23 . Tory Senedd leader Paul Davies quits over alcohol row . 2021-01-31 . BBC News . en-GB.
  4. News: 2021-03-29 . Wales election: Nick Ramsay leaves Welsh Tories to stand as independent . 2024-07-13 . BBC News . en-GB.
  5. Web site: 2021-05-10 . Andrew RT Davies insists he's not 'caretaker' Tory Senedd leader . 2021-05-27 . Nation.Cymru . en-GB.
  6. Web site: Owen. Cathy. 2021-05-27. Tory MSs who drank in Senedd during alcohol ban get top roles. 2021-05-27. WalesOnline. en.
  7. Web site: Price . Emily . 2024-04-18 . Welsh Conservatives reshuffle shadow cabinet . 2024-05-17 . Nation.Cymru . en-GB.
  8. Web site: 2024-06-14 . Laura Anne Jones: Tory MS stripped of job over expenses row . 2024-06-15 . BBC News . en-GB.
  9. Web site: 17 May 2024 . Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister under investigation by police and Standards Commissioner .
  10. News: 13 June 2024 . Laura Anne Jones: Text messages emerge in Tory expenses row . 14 June 2024 . BBC News.
  11. News: Crerar . Pippa . Dodd . Vikram . Stacey . Kiran . 2024-06-25 . Election betting: Fifth Tory investigated in growing scandal . 2024-07-13 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.