‘I wasn’t criticising my own mother’, insists Tory Senedd candidate

A Tory Senedd candidate has insisted he wasn’t criticising his own mother when he hit out at the “Cardiff Bay establishment”.

Calum Davies promised to “take the fight” to the “establishment” when reacting to the news he has been picked as one of the regional candidates for the South Wales Central list.

His comments were made following the news that pro-devolution Conservative MS Suzy Davies (his mother), who has been in the Senedd since 2011, has lost her place on top of the winnable regional South West Wales list seat. He replied “absolutely not” when he was asked if he was referring to her.

Mr Davies, who doesn’t believe Wales should have its own national parliament, was an aide to former Conservative Party leader in Cardiff Bay, Andrew RT Davies, before becoming a lobbyist for the private rented sector. He will also be contesting the constituency seat of Cardiff Central at the upcoming Senedd election.

He said: “Honoured to take my place in this team. That the membership chose me to represent them like this means a lot. Can’t wait to take the fight to the cushy Cardiff Bay establishment. Bring on the election.”

Labour MS Alun Davies asked: “I wonder if he means his mother?”

Calum Davies replied: “Absolutely not. She is one of the most talented people to have ever stepped in that building and it’s an injustice that it hasn’t been recognised. We might not agree 100% on everything, but this I have no doubt about.”

Leighton Rowlands, a Welsh Conservative Senedd Candidate for Cardiff South and Penarth, told Alun Davies: “Low blow there you should know better.”