Caerphilly Observer
Member Sign in Manage Membership
Become a Member - no ads
Menu
  • News
    • Senedd
    • Business
    • Newport
    • Opinion
  • Sport
    • Rugby union
    • Football
  • Membership & Subscriptions
  • Notices
  • Obituaries
  • About
    • Advertise
  • Sponsored Content
Menu

Welsh Conservative leader announces shadow cabinet roles

News | Rhys Williams | Published: 15:21, Friday May 15th, 2026.
Last updated: 15:21, Friday May 15th, 2026

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar
Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar

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.”

Natasha Asghar, Conservative MS for Casnewydd Islwyn
Natasha Asghar, Conservative MS for Casnewydd Islwyn

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.
Conservative lead candidate says it’s time to ‘rebuild trust’ after ‘botched job of devolution’

Sign-up to our daily newsletter


Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.

Become a member today

Senedd
Senedd

Latest News

  • 26 Maindee Road, Cwmfelinfach
    HMO approved after row over ‘inbuilt prejudice against people looking for homes’Friday, May 15, 2026
  • Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar
    Welsh Conservative leader announces shadow cabinet rolesFriday, May 15, 2026
  • Caerphilly Athletic lift league trophy despite cup final loss to Pure SwanseaFriday, May 15, 2026
  • 25 Upper High Street, Rhymney, pictured in May 2021
    Vandalism and threats to ‘burn down’ house at centre of HMO rowFriday, May 15, 2026
  • Shaun Barclay
    Police issue appeal as thief recalled to prisonFriday, May 15, 2026
  • Sir Terry Matthews is Wales' fourth richest person
    Newbridge tycoon fourth richest in Wales with £1.33bn wealthFriday, May 15, 2026

Find out how the communities of Caerphilly County Borough get their names

Caerphilly

Legal & Public Notices

  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, May 14, 2026
  • Notice of application for a premises licence: Fferm GelliWednesday, April 29, 2026
  • Notice of claim to land, TrethomasThursday, April 16, 2026
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, April 16, 2026
© 2009-2026 Caerphilly Media Ltd, Caerphilly Miners Centre for the Community Watford Road Caerphilly, CF83 1BJ. Incorporated in Wales No. 07604006.