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Former Welsh Conservative leader rules out Reform UK switch

19 Mar 2025 5 minute read
Andrew RT Davies appearing on ITV’s Sharp End

Emily Price 

Andrew RT Davies has ruled out defecting to Reform UK in his first interview since stepping down as the leader of the Welsh Conservatives.

On ITV’s Sharp End programme which aired on Tuesday evening (March 18), the South Wales Central MS was grilled by presenter Rob Osborne on his “wonderful” new life on the Tory backbenches.

Mr Davies was dramatically toppled by his own shadow cabinet in December after a sizeable minority threatened to resign unless he quit his leadership role.

The rebellion came amid concerns about incorrect claims he made online about Halal meat in Welsh schools and a social media stunt at a show that saw him ask people if they thought the Senedd should be abolished.

Downfall

Asked whether he would like to be the leader of the Welsh Conservatives again, he said: “I can categorically tell you I do not want to be leader in Cardiff Bay again. Ever again.”

Since his downfall, Mr Davies’ social media presence has appeared to take even more of an abrasive tone, with some suggesting he could be about to jump ship to Nigel Farages’ party.

But when asked by ITV if he had had any discussions with Reform UK about defecting, Mr Davies said, “None whatsoever.”

He argued that the Welsh Conservatives should rule out striking any deals with Reform or any other party at the next Senedd election because the electorate “don’t look kindly” on parties that make pacts.

This is at odds with the new Tory Senedd leader, Darren Millar, who says he is open to a deal with any of the other political parties in the Senedd if it means Labour is elbowed out of government.

‘Activists’

On the prospect of a deal with Plaid Cymru – the former leader didn’t hold back.

He told Rob Osborne: “Separatism and the poison that is in the veins of Plaid Cymru activists against the union of the United Kingdom, is not something that will achieve success for Wales.

“Why would you want to move further to the left and deliver more left wing policies, when what we’ve seen over the last 26 years is a failure of the left to reinvigorate the Welsh economy, drive improvement in public services and drive education down.

“It’s not more left wing politics we need in Wales, it’s less left wing politics and more centre-right thinking.”

Mr Davies was also quizzed on a video of Welsh school girls he shared online from a far-right account which later came under investigation by police.

The footage featured 12 year old girls from a school in Bridgend and was created as part of a project to welcome Ukrainian refugees to the community.

It was posted online originally by an account called ‘Cillian’ who said the children were being used to entice migrant men to Wales.

‘Propaganda’

Mr Davies reposted the video to X with the caption: “Schoolchildren are being used in propaganda for Labour Senedd ministers’ ‘Nation of Sanctuary’ plan.

“Under this ideologically motivated project, Labour wanted to pay ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS £1,600 a month. Unacceptable.”

The Welsh Refugee Council later said it was forced to close its offices after staff received abuse.

Mr Davies told ITV he stood by the post which is still visible on his social media accounts and argued that the “left” had misrepresented his position on the post.

He said: “I don’t believe that it amplified misinformation at all. It is a fact that the package came out of a workshop that was held at a school.

“I don’t believe that that is a role that should be undertaken and promoted by schools. Schools are places for learning and education – not political ideology.”

Abuse

Rob Osborne said: “You welcomed Ukrainians to Wales, this video was just doing the same. Someone had taken that video and changed it to something that wasn’t.

“You quote-tweeted the video with a different message. I’m just saying, do you regret that?”

Mr Davies replied: “Breaking news. I don’t control the platform known as X, formally Twitter. At the end of the day there are many many different aspects.

“No one should face abuse, no one should feel in fear of their own personal safety.

“Let me tell you this Rob, if anyone wants to see abuse, look at what the NATS and the left wing throw at me on my social media and other politicians on the centre-right.

“Instead of just thinking and chasing some magic dragon that they think is the armpit of the Welsh Government dishing out the money to them.”

Although Vale of Glamorgan Councillor George Carroll is said to hold the keys to the former leader’s social media accounts, Mr Davies told ITV he stands by everything that is posted in his name online.

Mr Davies currently has 21,400 followers on X.

When asked whether he would be willing to tell those followers who is posting in his name, he argued that no politician is able to put every post out themselves.

Wrapping up the interview, Mr Davies said there have been wider horizons for him and a better family life since “leaving the stage” last year.

Looking to the future for from leader said he hopes to map out where he believes the future of Welsh conservatism should be if he gets re-elected at the Senedd election next year.


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Jeff
Jeff
26 days ago

reform not far right enough for the Welsh Enoch Powell tribute act?

I mean, both parties now adore Trump, who is full on war with DEI, removing anyone of colour from US records, removing people from the US that have never had a trial, threatening war with Canada and Greenland, abusing Presidents that stood up to putin, must be right up this blokes street. Then trump supports a bloke that snaps off nazi salutes and the Toty Party and Reform look the other way but hold out the begging bowl.

Who is feeding Carroll his lines.

Fi yn unig
Fi yn unig
26 days ago
Reply to  Jeff

RT telling us what we want to hear that he won’t be back as leader in Cardiff Bay but wait. This is a disciple of the global alternative truth movement so when he rules out a switch to Reform UK and being a leader in Cardiff Bay, he could well be back as theirs. He’s a perfect fit for them. He loves carping on heir TV station and they love to have him on. What’s not to like? Don’t ask me that question though or I’ll say how long have you got?

hdavies15
hdavies15
26 days ago
Reply to  Jeff

You are now sounding as hysterical as ARTD himself.

Jeff
Jeff
26 days ago
Reply to  hdavies15

Events in the US are already trickling down to policy in the Cons (Kemi cannot hide it) and reform. They seem to align with ARTD rants at least. Race and misogyny writ large at the moment in the US. dei is getting hammered, these all look to be up the Cons street, reform are already there.

Erisian
Erisian
26 days ago

Once an almost influential tory – now just a sad culture warrior with an X account subsisting in an echo chamber with no future in public life…beyond being a pain in the backside.
Nation.Cymru should hasten this demise by ignoring him – let’s face it, he has nothing constructive to say, so why report it.
He’s gone – now he just need to be forgotten

Rob
Rob
26 days ago

How can you not rule out pacts with any party under a PR system when you want to be in government? (I’m assuming that the Welsh Tories do want to be in government)

R2D2 is evidently more opposed to working with Plaid than he is with Reform UK.

Ianto
Ianto
26 days ago

No to separatism, says Mr Brexit. Ironic, eh?

Baxter
Baxter
24 days ago

The lady doth protest too much methinks.

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