Former Tory leader accused of sabotaging his party’s Senedd election campaign
Emily Price
The former leader of the Welsh Conservatives has been accused of sabotaging his own party’s Senedd election campaign following a series of social media posts hinting at teaming up with Reform UK.
Andrew RT Davies has published several statements to X, formerly Twitter, and Facebook this week which notably omitted calls for voters to support the Tories in the May 7 election.
The South Wales Central Senedd Member is the Welsh Conservatives’ lead candidate for the Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg constituency.
A Conservative source told Nation.Cymru that while Tory colleagues “worked their socks off” to win seats in Wales, their former leader was “throwing them under the bus”.
In one social media post, Davies called on voters to elect “like minded” candidates so that he could “work with them” – but did not make reference to his own party.
He wrote: “I make no apologies for opposing irresponsible policies like the Nation of Sanctuary for asylum seekers.
“We need to elect many more like minded Senedd members who’ll challenge the failed consensus.
“Re-elect me so I can work with them. As I told St Athan residents today, together we’ll make change happen.”
In another social media post, Davies wrote: “I’ve always felt more at home speaking with Vale residents than in the Senedd.
“In Llantwit Major, everyone I spoke to opposes 36 new Senedd members. Spend the money fixing public services and cutting the cost of living.
“Re-elect me alongside others who agree. We need change.”
In another post the former Tory leader claimed that locals were “pleased” with his pledge to work “cross party” to stop a Plaid Cymru and Green coalition.
He wrote: “Voters were frightened by the prospect of a Plaid Cymru separatist and Green coalition in Llantwit Major and Llanmaes.
“Their pro-illegal drugs policies are dangerous. People were pleased with my pledge to work cross party to stop them.”
In the comments sections beneath the posts, online commentators queried why Davies hadn’t already jumped ship to Nigel Farage’s party.
On Tuesday (March 31) Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch dismissed the prospect of a pact with Reform before the next general election after a voter urged her to “get together with Nige”.
Badenoch described teaming up with Reform UK as a “non-starter”.
A Conservative source said: “Conservative candidates working their socks off trying to win seats in Wales will feel disappointed by Andrew RT Davies running a campaign designed to throw everyone but himself under the bus.
“He will have to explain why he seems to be advocating for colleagues and friends, including many who supported his leadership, to lose their seats.”
On Saturday (March 28) Nation.Cymru’s Martin Shipton penned an opinion column accusing Davies of “bigotry” after he said the Conservatives would ban election campaigning in foreign languages.
It was noted that a sitting Welsh Conservative Senedd Member ‘liked’ the article on social media.
Davies was forced to stand down as the leader of the Tory Senedd Group in December 2024 after almost half of his shadow cabinet threatened to quit if he remained in post.
It came amid concerns about his online behaviour and the direction he was taking the party.
Davies had been accused of “Islamophic race-baiting” by the Muslim Council of Wales after he made claims on social media about Halal meat in Welsh schools.
He later constructed a home made ballot box at the Vale of Glamorgan show to canvass the public on whether they thought the Senedd should be abolished.
At the time, supporters of Davies said he was attempting to challenge the threat of Reform UK by taking the party in a more right-leaning direction.
The Welsh Conservatives are currently facing electoral oblivion with recent polls predicting the party will collapse to just one seat on 7 per cent support.
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If he’s the lead candidate in Penybont/ bro Morgannwg, does this mean that Cymru is likely to have to suffer this clown for the next SENEDD term? Mark my words he’ll jump ship to deform within 1month of the SENEDD sitting if he’s elected. Just using the tories for convenience
Not unless he can jump ship before the election and get himself awarded one of the now vacant two top Reform slots in the constituency. Even as the lead Tory candidate he is highly unlikely to get in. Reform on the other hand could well get a couple of people in, if they’ve got replacements for their dropouts.
Supposedly it’s too late under Reform’s “rules” for ART to try to switch and the already furious membership might explode, so we should be spared.
Deform don’t do rules, they do tricks and my opinion of this person is so low i can seriously see him standing as a Tory and defecting as the exit polls come out at 10pm.
The most likely Tory to occupy their single seat is Darren Millar.
Standing in a constituency he refuses to recognise the name of due to his rabid, mouth foaming hatred of OUR country, he will swap his blue rosette for a turquoise one on May 6th.
Welsh Conservative failure Andrew RT Davies is saying the quiet part out loud.
He’s that “in touch” with his constituents that he doesn’t realise that nation of sanctuary applies to refugees, not asylum seekers.
Politics on the whole would be better without him in it. The man’s completely unhinged and off his rocker.
It’s worse than that he doesn’t realise. He knows full well, he’s just choosing to spread deliberate misinformation about it. Second part of your post is absolutely correct
So he’s going to work with who? He’s assuming and taking for granted that he’s going to be elected. Unfortunately, this is what you get with democracy. Any fool can stand and all the other fools will vote for them.
Is the picture of him in Caernarfon AI generated? A more accurate depiction would have a baying mob with flaming pitchforks behind him as I doubt he got much of a welcome up there considering the town’s inhabitants stand for everything he hates !
It’s hard to forget ” Brexit means Breakfast”, more like a dog’s dinner. The sight of Tories scrambling to retain a foothold in Wales is amusing as they twist their previously held ‘principles’ into whatever shape will gain them a seat.
Even by Tory standards, he really needs to go. It speaks volumes that the farming community want nothing to do with him.
Reassuring to know he’s about as loyal to his party as his constituents. He will soon be consigned to the dustbin of awkward recent history.
I doubt if he damaged Tories in Wales they are on virtual wipe out in Wales they are damaged goods and good riddance to them
“I’ve always felt more at home speaking with Vale residents than in the Senedd” says Andrew RT Davies.
Does he not understand that his job is to speak in the Senedd on behalf of Vale residents?
Thisa reminds me to check the fridge. I think the gammon might be past its use by date