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Come September, the UK will have a new Prime Minister.
Following Boris Johnson’s ousting from Number 10 earlier this month after a string of controversies, including ‘Partygate’, the Conservative Party is choosing it’s next leader.
The new party leader, and new Prime Minister, will be either Foreign Secretary Liz Truss or former Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
Conservative Senedd Members Natasha Asghar and Laura Anne Jones – who both represent the South Wales East region – have announced where their support will be going.
What is a regional Senedd Member and how are they elected?
At Senedd Elections, voters have two ballot papers. The first is to vote for a candidate to represent a constituency. Wales is divided into 40 constituencyes, each electing one Senedd Member using a first past the post system.
The second ballot is to vote for a party to represent the region. Wales is divided into five regions, each electing four regional Senedd Members.
Each party submits a list of candidates for the regions, ranked in order.
But which Senedd Members are elected through the regional vote isn’t necessarily a case of whoever gets the most votes. A formula is used to determine who is elected.
The system is designed to give more representation to parties who wouldn’t otherwise be elected through the first past the post system.
Each party’s total number of votes is divided by one, plus the number of constituency Senedd Members it has elected in the region.
The party with the highest total after this method then has its highest ranking candidate elected as a regional Senedd Member. The process is carried out again and again until four Senedd Members are elected.
What area does South Wales East cover?
The South Wales East region includes the constituencies of Caerphilly, Islwyn, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, Newport West, Newport East, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and Monmouth.
The region is represented by four regional Senedd Members. These are:
- Natasha Asghar (Welsh Conservatives)
- Delyth Jewell (Plaid Cymru)
- Laura Anne Jones (Welsh Conservatives)
- Peredur Owen Griffiths (Plaid Cymru)
Natasha Asghar – Rishi Sunak
Confirming her support of Mr Sunak’s bid to become Britain’s next Prime Minister, Ms Asghar said: “What the United Kingdom needs right now is a leader who can deliver, provide stability, and tackle the big issues – and only Rishi Sunak can do that.
“He’s got a strong track record as we saw throughout the pandemic with furlough which saved countless jobs, funding for businesses which prevented them from going under, and Eat Out To Help Out which gave companies a much-needed boost.
“At a time when prices at petrol pumps are rising and the cost-of-living pressures intensify, we need someone at the helm who can take bold and decisive action to benefit residents.
“Without a doubt, Rishi Sunak is the man who will be able to restore, rebuild and reunite our country.
“He will make an outstanding Prime Minister and I am sure he will be able to introduce new and innovative plans to revive our economy.”
Laura Anne Jones – Liz Truss
Ms Jones has become the first Senedd Member to publicly announce her support for Ms Truss’ campaign.
Outlining her decision, Ms Jones said: “The people I represent need help during these tough economic times and I believe that Liz Truss is the person that will ensure more money is put back in their pockets during this time of need.
“We’re lucky to have two great options, but Liz’s economic plan is the right plan for our country right now.
“From meeting with her, I know just how much she values Wales and I value her support for agriculture, our small businesses and everything that makes our nation so great.
“Liz has proven herself a strong defender of Brexit, women’s rights and is a staunch Unionist, so she has my full support to be the next Prime Minister.”
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