The new Senedd Member for South Wales East has been appointed to the Welsh Conservatives’ shadow cabinet.

Laura Anne Jones, who became a Senedd Member earlier this month following the death of Mohammad Asghar MS, has been appointed as shadow minister for equalities, children and young people.

Ms Jones previously served South Wales East in the then-named Welsh Assembly between 2003 and 2007, and was the Welsh Conservative spokesperson during her time in office.

Ms Jones’ appointment as shadow minister comes as part of a shadow cabinet reshuffle announced today (Friday, July 17), by Welsh Conservative leader Paul Davies.

Ms Jones, who currently serves as a councillor in Monmouthshire, expressed her delight at being asked to join the shadow cabinet, and said: “As the mother of two, I am only too aware of the issues facing children and their families, particularly as we emerge from this challenging period of lockdown.

“Every child and young person should have the chance to achieve their potential, regardless of their background and removing barriers to opportunity will be key to my work.

“The equalities portfolio will enable me to build on the legacy of Mohammad Asghar and to promote and extend the rights of our minority communities in Wales.”

Ms Jones’ predecessor, Mr Asghar, who died in June aged 74, became the first ethnic minority member elected to Senedd in 2007, as well as the first Muslim Senedd Member.

Ms Jones added: “I look forward to listening to the views of people in communities across Wales as we finalise our programme for government for the Welsh Parliament election.”