Welsh Conservative leader announces shadow cabinet roles

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Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar has named his new shadow cabinet team.

The party won just seven seats at last week’s Senedd election, having held 13 seats in Cardiff Bay before the election.

Samuel Kurtz, Gareth Davies, Joel James, Tom Giffard, and Altaf Hussain all failed in their re-election bids, while Mark Isherwood did not seek re-election.

It relegates them from the main opposition to the fourth biggest party in the Senedd, after Plaid Cymru, Reform, and Welsh Labour.

All seven of the party’s MSs have been given shadow cabinet roles, including Casnewydd Islwyn MS Natasha Asghar – who takes on the health and social care brief.

Mr Millar, who takes on the Armed Forces and veterans brief alongside his leadership role, said: “The team brings together a wealth of talent and experience.

“It will hold Wales’ new Plaid Cymru government to account and work tirelessly for the people of Wales, speaking up on the issues that matter.”

He continued: “We will be a constructive opposition party in the Senedd, seeking to work with others, where possible, to effect positive change across the nation.

“That will include continuing to make the case for lower taxes, an end to wasteful spending, and offering solutions to fix our public services.”

The Welsh Conservative shadow cabinet

• Darren Millar – Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, and shadow minister for the Armed Forces and veterans;
• Paul Davies – Deputy leader, shadow trefnydd, chief whip, and shadow minister for the Welsh language, culture, tourism, and sport;
• Natasha Asghar – Shadow minister for health and social care;
• Andrew RT Davies – Shadow minister for farming and the environment;
• Janet Finch-Saunders – Shadow minister for enterprise, connectivity, and energy;
• Peter Fox – Shadow minister for finance, local government, and communities;
• Sam Rowlands – Policy director, and shadow minister for education, families, and the constitution.