Senedd Election 2021 party profile: Welsh Conservatives

Conservatives pledge greater alignment with Westminster

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the Welsh Conservatives have hit out at the Welsh Government’s handling of the crisis.

They have accused the Welsh Government of being different for the sake of it, and have called for greater alignment with Boris Johnson’s Conservative-run UK Government.

New party leader Andrew RT Davies has strongly dismissed claims he is anti-devolution, but has promised no more powers would be transferred from Westminster should his party form a government in Wales.

Prior to the election period, the Welsh Conservatives had 10 Senedd Members – making them the joint-second biggest party in the Senedd, alongside Plaid Cymru.

At the last Senedd Election, the party picked up just 9% of the vote in the Caerphilly constituency, 8% in Islwyn and 6% in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney – finishing behind UKIP in each of the three seats.

But in the 2019 General Election, the party fared much better – finishing second behind Labour in each of Caerphilly County Borough’s three constituencies.

One of the candidates hoping to be elected in May is Steven Mayfield, who is standing in the Caerphilly constituency.

Mr Mayfield told Caerphilly Observer: “People always say there are no Conservatives [in this area], but in the Caerphilly constituency 11,000 people put a cross against the Conservatives in the General Election.

“It is about reaching those voters. It’s a challenge, but I’m very inspired for that challenge and to see what we can achieve.”

Meanwhile, the party has chosen Gavin Chambers to contest Iswlyn, and Donna Gavin to contest Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney.