Clwyd West MP David Jones has been named as Cheryl Gillan’s successor in the role of Welsh Secretary.
Mr Jones takes over from Mrs Gillan after her two years in the role and served under her as a junior minister in the Wales Office.
The appointment has been welcomed by Andrew RT Davies AM, the leader of the Welsh Conservatives.
He said: “Cheryl Gillan has been a hard-working Secretary of State who has delivered on her commitments with great determination.
“Her list of achievements is testament to that dedication; the delivery of rail electrification across south Wales and the Valleys, the introduction of the Silk Commission and – of course – the fulfilment of the Assembly’s request to hold a referendum on the devolution of law making powers.
“These are historic examples of how the Wales Office has shaped the future of our country since Cheryl’s appointment. I wish her well for the future and thank her wholeheartedly for all that she has done.
“I now look forward to continuing a close relationship with David Jones, who I know will do an excellent job in the role of Secretary of State for Wales.
“He has been instrumental in delivering for Wales as Minister and is the right choice to take up this position.
“I know he will maintain the high levels of determination we have seen for Wales in recent years and I look forward to working with him.”
Mrs Gillan, the MP for Chesham and Amersham, had earlier revealed she had been demoted to the backbenches on the official @welsh_secretary Twitter account.
@sayeedawarsi signing off@welsh_secretary too but I agree great privilege to serve in cabinet but can serve party from back benches too 🙂— Cheryl Gillan (@Welsh_Secretary) September 4, 2012
She had come under criticism for not being a Welsh MP.
Labour’s First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones thanked Mrs Gillan for her work.
He said: “I would like to thank Cheryl Gillan for her work over the last two years. I now look forward to meeting her replacement – the former Assembly Member, David Jones – as soon as possible, so a new relationship and dynamic can be established to address the serious work before us.
“The time has now come for a Secretary of State for Wales to deliver on the so-called ‘respect agenda’ promised by the Prime Minister back in May 2010.
“As far as the Welsh Government is concerned, I want to make clear that we are not in a contest with the UK Government – we never have been. We are in the serious business of delivering for the people of Wales during these extremely difficult economic times. Nothing should deflect either Government from this important task.
“To enable this to happen, we need a Wales Office and a Secretary of State that shares our aspiration and is prepared to ‘bang the drum’ for Wales around the Cabinet table. We hope that this will happen.”
Damn right she had came under scrutiny for not being a Welsh MP. It's bad enough we have to have Welsh Tory MP's although at least they are living here and have more more of a "finger on the pulse" perspective.
I thought putting her in Office as Welsh secretary was a reflection on Westministers attitude towards Welsh issues. Yes she may have been born in Wales, but still! We may as well have John Redwood back.
Another Englishman who is proud, (SIC) to call himself ` Welsh Secretary`
Another Tory who is proud to be a Tory.
Another Person who ` knows what`s best for us Welsh People`
He does serve a Welsh Population, but I predict this will have No reflection whatsoever in the way he imposes Conservative Policies on us all in respect to our slice of the UK purse.
And I wonder how he will be received by the Leaders of the Welsh Assembly? with whom he once served. Who`s the boss now????