Andrew RT Davies resigns as leader of Welsh Conservatives in Senedd
Just hours earlier he had survived a confidence vote.
Last updated 3rd Dec 2024
Andrew RT Davies has resigned as leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd following a confidence vote which showed a "substantial minority" of his party do not support him and his position is "untenable".
In a letter to Bernard Gentry, the chairman of the Welsh Conservative Party, he said: "I write to inform you of my resignation as Leader of the Welsh Conservative Group in the Senedd, once a successor is elected. I do so with regret."
The letter went on: "Last week, a group of Senedd members approached me, threatening to resign their positions in shadow cabinet if I did not agree to step down as leader.
"I therefore requested a motion of confidence in my leadership to be held at a meeting this morning.
"This vote has now taken place. It was clear from the result that a substantial minority of the Group do not support our approach, despite it being the only viable strategy available.
"While I would have been honoured to continue as leader, my position is consequently untenable."
Mr Davies thanked his supporters and staff and said his approach had enjoyed "widespread support" among the membership.
His letter added: "Similarly, I would like to thank our dedicated party members and grassroots supporters, who are the lifeblood of our party.
"Without their commitment to paying their membership fees, knocking doors, delivering leaflets and raising funds, we would be unable to further the conservative cause.
"They do so not out of financial motivation or in the interests of personal gain, but because they believe passionately in conservative values and in the United Kingdom as our nation state. This stands in direct contrast to some Conservative Senedd members.
"While there was significant resistance to our approach among certain elements of the Senedd Group, it is clear there is widespread support and enthusiasm among our wider party membership.
"Similarly, in those instances in which we were able to offer clarity of message, and were not undermined by some members of our own group, there was strong support among the general public too."
He said the Welsh Conservative Party must "decide exactly what it stands for" and confirmed he will not stand in the leadership contest to find his successor.