Actor Profile

Andrew RT Davies

Member of the Senedd for South Wales Central since 2007. Former Leader of the Welsh Conservatives (2011-2018, 2021-2024). Chairs the Senedd's Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee.

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Anti-Devolutionindividual

Why Included?

Prominent voice framing devolution as divisive and mismanaged

Statements

Public remarks marking 25 years of devolution

2024-05-01

Wales marked the 25th anniversary of devolution in May 2024 as the Senedd expansion bill was nearing passage.

Called devolution a missed opportunity and argued Wales' poor performance shows failure of Labour governance rather than the institution itself.

Direct quotes

  • "Devolution has been a missed opportunity. The Senedd possessed sufficient powers to enhance public services but instead pursued nation building projects."

Institute of Welsh Affairs interview: People want an alternative

2024-07-12

Major interview outlining a Conservative-led vision for Wales.

Proposed devolving powers away from the Senedd to local government and ending what he called power hoarding in Cardiff Bay.

Direct quotes

  • "I want to devolve more powers away from the Senedd. For many people I speak to in North Wales, Mid Wales, West Wales, and in the Valleys, a Cardiff-centric government can feel distant."
  • "The days of the Senedd hoarding powers, always asking for more, would be over."

Vale of Glamorgan County Show abolition poll controversy

2024-08-01

At an agricultural show, Davies set up a poll on whether the Senedd should be abolished, sparking backlash.

Triggered backlash with an abolition poll, then insisted the Senedd is the home of Welsh democracy and abolition is out of date.

Direct quotes

  • "It is mine and the group's position that the Senedd is the home of Welsh democracy and we look forward to it remaining that way for many generations to come."
  • "Talk of abolition is a debate that is 25 years out of date. The Welsh Conservatives are committed to making devolution work in the interests of the people of Wales."

Resignation letter as Welsh Conservative Senedd Group Leader

2024-12-03

After a narrow confidence vote, Davies resigned amid internal party turmoil.

Blamed Labour policies for poor public services and argued his populist strategy was needed for 2026, warning of electoral oblivion without unity.

Direct quotes

  • "Public services in Wales perform at unacceptably poor levels. Standards in our Welsh NHS and schools fall far behind their counterparts in the rest of the United Kingdom."
  • "These failures are the direct result of the approach taken by Labour ministers in the Senedd, propped up by Plaid Cymru nationalists."
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