Third Shadow Cabinet of Andrew RT Davies explained

Cabinet Name:Andrew RT Davies Shadow Cabinet
Previous:Shadow Cabinet of Paul Davies
Legislature Term:5th Senedd
State Head:Elizabeth II
State Head Title:Monarch
Government Head:Andrew RT Davies
Government Head Title:Leader of the Opposition
Date Dissolved:29 March 2021
Date Formed:24 January 2021
Incumbent:January 2021– May 2021
Flag Border:true
Flag:Flag of Wales 2.svg
Jurisdiction:Wales
Cabinet Type:Shadow Cabinet
Successor:Fourth Shadow Cabinet of Andrew RT Davies

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.

Background

See main article: 2021 Welsh Conservatives leadership election. Paul Davies was seen drinking with other politicians on the Senedd estate on 8 and 9 December 2020 that could have proven contrary to Welsh Government COVID alcohol ban that was brought in four days before. He apologised for his actions on the 19 January 2021 and the Conservative Group in the Senedd gave there unanimous support in a meeting on the 22 January for Paul Davies to stay as leader. The BBC reported that Paul Davies was considering stepping down in that meeting, and a report by the Senedd Commission said that it could be a possible breach of COVID rules.[1] There was much uproar by grassroots supporters and senior members of the Welsh Conservatives of his actions[2] and on 23 January Paul Davies stepped down with immediate effect.[3]

There was a short discussion between Conservative Members of the Senedd the following day where they gave their unanimous support for Andrew R. T. Davies to become leader.[4] He created a cabinet out of members left in the frontbench (Darren Miller, Nick Ramsey and Paul Davies had stepped down) on the same day. David Melding re-joined the cabinet after stepping down in September 2020 following disagreements with the parties Internal Market stance.[5]

On 29 March 2021, Nick Ramsay left the Welsh Conservative group in the Senedd, to run as an independent for his Monmouth seat, having been deselected by his local party.[6] This meant the Conservatives matched Plaid Cymru with 10 MSs, meaning there was no second largest party, and therefore no official opposition. Andrew RT Davies would form the next Shadow Cabinet after the 2021 Senedd Election, his fourth.[7]

Members

Portfolio! colspan="3"
NameConstituencyTerm
Leader of the OppositionLeader of the Welsh ConservativesAndrew RT Davies MSSouth Wales CentralJan 2021 – March 2021
Shadow Minister for Health and Social ServicesAngela Burns MSCarmarthen West and South PembrokeshireJan 2021 – March 2021
Shadow Minister for Finance, North Wales and Chief WhipMark Isherwood MSNorth WalesJan 2021 – March 2021
Shadow Minister for Economy, Transport and Mid WalesRussell George MSMontgomeryshireJan 2021 – March 2021
Shadow Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs Janet Finch-Saunders MSAberconwyJan 2021 – March 2021
Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing, Culture and SportDavid Melding MSSouth Wales CentralJan 2021 – March 2021
Shadow Minister for Education, Skills and the Welsh LanguageSuzy Davies MSSouth Wales WestJan 2021 – March 2021
Shadow Minister for Housing and Local Government, Equalities, Children and Young PeopleLaura Anne Jones MSSouth Wales EastJan 2021 – March 2021

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: 2021-01-22. Covid: Senedd drinking a 'possible breach' of Wales alcohol ban. en-GB. BBC News. 2021-01-31.
  2. News: 2021-01-20. Senedd alcohol row: PM 'expects above and beyond' on Covid. en-GB. BBC News. 2021-01-31.
  3. News: 2021-01-23. Tory Senedd leader Paul Davies quits over alcohol row. en-GB. BBC News. 2021-01-31.
  4. News: 2021-01-24. Andrew RT Davies returns as Welsh Conservatives leader. en-GB. BBC News. 2021-01-31.
  5. Web site: 2021-01-24. Newly appointed Welsh Tory leader Andrew RT Davies announces Shadow Cabinet. 2021-01-31. ITV News. en.
  6. News: 2021-03-29 . Wales election: Nick Ramsay leaves Welsh Tories to stand as independent . 2024-07-13 . BBC News . en-GB.
  7. Web site: Owen . Cathy . 2021-05-27 . Tory MSs who drank in Senedd during alcohol ban get top roles . 2024-07-13 . Wales Online . en.