Darren Millar wants to set out ‘positive direction’ for Welsh Conservatives ahead of elections

The new leader of the Welsh Tories said his plan for the country would be “pro-Wales” and “pro-personal responsibility” as he sets out a path to the Senedd elections next year.

Darren Millar has said he wants to set out a “positive direction” after taking over as Welsh Conservative Group leader in the Senedd from Andrew RT Davies, who resigned on Tuesday.

Mr Millar, the MS for Clwyd West, was publicly endorsed by all 15 of his Senedd party colleagues and he was elected unopposed after nominations for the post closed at 5pm.

He called his predecessor a “formidable leader”.

Culture war

Mr Davies, whose critics have accused him of leading the Welsh Tories into culture war-focused politics, stood down after narrowly winning a confidence motion, saying his continued leadership was “untenable”.

Asked if he would steer the party away from culture war issues, Mr Millar said: “I’m looking forward to being able to set out a positive direction for our party, a united party, going into these elections, making the case for a Wales that works. And at the moment, we have a Wales that’s broken and doesn’t work.”

He said his plan for the country would be “pro-Wales, pro-freedom, pro-choice, pro-personal responsibility”.

“You know, all of these messages are things that we get out there to the public and make a strong case as to why people should vote for the Conservative Party, rather than why people shouldn’t vote for other political parties,” he added.

New leaders

Mr Millar’s appointment means the Tories, Labour and Plaid Cymru will all go into the 2026 Senedd elections with new leaders since the last Welsh parliament election took place.

Polling of Senedd voting intention earlier this week put the Tories fourth, behind Reform UK.

Plaid Cymru came out on top with 24%, Labour and Reform UK tied at 23% and the Conservatives trailed behind at 19%, the YouGov and Barn Cymru survey showed.

Mr Millar said he was not worried about Reform UK overtaking the Tories.

‘Encouraged’

He said he was “very encouraged” by that poll, because it showed a loss of support for Labour in recent months and put the top four parties “in a very small margin” of one another.

“So there’s everything to fight for, everything to work towards as we approach the Senedd elections in May 2026,” he said.

He said he believes the Tories can secure more seats and that “we will speak for the people of Wales who feel marginalised and as though they’re not currently being heard”.

Mr Davies said on Tuesday that the “muesli and croissant brigade” had forced him to stand down, and described his own political offering as “a full Welsh fry up with extra black pudding”.

Mr Millar said: “I love a good bacon butty myself, and I’m looking forward to tucking into one tomorrow morning.”

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.”

Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth 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.”