Darren Millar confirmed as next Welsh Conservative leader
Darren Millar spoke to ITV Wales' Adrian Masters
Darren Millar has been confirmed as the next Welsh Conservative leader.
The Senedd Member for Clwyd West, was first elected to the Welsh Parliament in 2007 and is currently serving his fourth term.
He has been elected unopposed after former leader Andrew RT Davies announced his resignation from the top job on 3 December, following a confidence vote.
He won that vote but acknowledged that the group was split and that his position was untenable.
No other Welsh Conservative members put their hat into the ring and so Mr Millar will become the leader without any contest.
Who is Darren Millar?
Mr Millar has represented the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd for 17 years. He was first elected in 2007 for Clwyd West and has since been re-elected 3 times.
Following the 2021 Senedd election Darren was appointed to the position of Chief Whip and Shadow Minister for the Constitution and North Wales on the Welsh Conservative front bench.
It was only in July that the 48-year-old missed his chance to become an MP in the UK Government, losing out to Labour's Gill German in Clwyd North.
Born in Towyn and currently living in Kinmel Bay, before politics Mr Millar was an accountant and a manager for an international charity.
He has also served as the Chair of the Senedd’s Public Accounts Committee.
In 2000, Darren became the youngest serving Mayor in Wales when he served the township of Towyn and Kinmel Bay.
He has also served as a member of Conwy County Borough Council, the North Wales Police Authority and the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said: "I congratulate Darren Millar on becoming leader of the Welsh Conservatives’ Senedd group.“He takes the job at a time of chaos and infighting in his party, and with the Tories having failed to offer any credible solutions to the challenges facing Wales.
"While they continue to fight among themselves and Labour continues to let our communities down, Plaid Cymru stands as the fresh option to lead Wales, as shown in the recent poll lead — united and focused on fixing the NHS, building our economy and delivering a fair, ambitious future for Wales.”
Commenting on Darren Mill being coronated as Tory leader today, Reform UK Wales Spokesman, Oliver Lewis said: "In true Tory fashion, one leader has been knifed and within a matter of days a new leader is coronated. They are divided and more interested in internal positions than serving the people of Wales.
"The simple fact is, Darren Millar has been an MS since 2007 and has been nothing but ineffective in opposition, just like every other Welsh Tory.
"Labour and the Tories have failed Welsh people in both Cardiff Bay and Westminster. The people of Wales want real change in 2026 and that is just what we plan to offer them. Wales needs Reform."
Reacting to the Welsh Conservatives’ election of Darren Millar as their new leader, a Welsh Labour spokesperson said: “A new face, but the same old Conservative Party in Wales. Voters have already rejected Darren Millar and his colleagues at the General Election. Instead of trying to understand why, they are papering over the cracks. The people of Wales won’t buy it.”
Commenting, Chairman of the Welsh Conservative Party, Bernard Gentry said: “I am pleased to announce that Darren Millar MS has been elected unopposed as the new Leader of the Welsh Conservative Group in the Welsh Parliament.
“In recent months we’ve been winning numerous local government by-elections across Wales and our action days have recruited hundreds of new volunteers and activists. Working together as one united party under Darren, Mims and myself I am confident that we can achieve further success at the Senedd elections in 2026 and bring to an end the quarter of a century of Labour rule.
"I wish Darren every success as he takes the helm."
The new Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, Darren Millar MS said: “I am humbled by the incredible support of my colleagues in the Senedd, and the kind messages I have received from Conservative Party members and members of the public across the country.
"Andrew RT Davies will be a difficult act to follow but I am determined to build on his legacy as we take the fight to our political opponents in the run up to the Senedd elections in 2026.
"After 25 years of Labour failure, Wales is crying out for hope and change; I look forward to setting out our plans to deliver just that in the weeks and months to come."
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