Darren Millar becomes Welsh Conservatives Senedd leader
He was the only candidate to put themselves forward to replace Andrew RT Davies
Last updated 5th Dec 2024
Darren Millar has become the next Welsh Conservatives leader, after no other candidates put themselves forward for the job.
The party's Chief Whip is taking over from Andrew RT Davies, who resigned on Tuesday following a narrow win in a vote of confidence among Senedd members.
The Welsh Conservatives' X account has officially announced the news.
Mr Millar, the MS for Clwyd West, was publicly endorsed by all 15 of his Senedd party colleagues and he was elected unopposed after nominations for the post closed at 5pm.
He said: "I am humbled by the incredible support of my colleagues in the Senedd, and the kind messages I have received from Conservative Party members and members of the public across the country.
"Andrew RT Davies will be a difficult act to follow but I am determined to build on his legacy as we take the fight to our political opponents in the run-up to the Senedd elections in 2026.
"After 25 years of Labour failure, Wales is crying out for hope and change. I look forward to setting out our plans to deliver just that in the weeks and months to come."
Tom Giffard is the MS for South Wales West - he's told us Darren's got his full support:
"I'm really excited that Darren Millar is going to be our next leader in the Senedd.
"I think he's a really seasoned campaigner - and with 18 months to go until the next Senedd election, it's important we've got a really clear policy platform."
Sam Kurtz is the shadow minister for economy - he says the new leader will help the party focus:
"Darren is best placed to make those arguments to people of Wales.
"A Welsh Conservative future is a future that is optimistic, hopeful and ambitious."
Reacting to the Welsh Conservatives’ election of Darren Millar as their new leader, a Welsh Labour spokesperson said:
“A new face, but the same old Conservative Party in Wales. Voters have already rejected Darren Millar and his colleagues at the General Election. Instead of trying to understand why, they are papering over the cracks. The people of Wales won’t buy it.”