Tory Senedd candidate’s father rescues his son from potential deselection
Martin Shipton
A Tory candidate’s dad has swooped to his son’s rescue after he made a video backing residents who say they want a referendum on the future of the Senedd.
Advocating such a referendum is against his party’s policy.
Jake Enea, who is number three on the Conservative list in the super-constituency of Casnewydd Islwyn, posted the video after a canvassing session in the Allt-yr-Yn suburb of Newport.
Addressing the camera. He says: “Great to be out in Allt-yr-Yn today in the constituency. The top three issues on the doorstep. Number One. The city centre and the old green roundabout. Real anger about Labour’s decision to spend £35m replacing a roundabout when it’s not needed. And also the state of our city centre. They want to see more street paving, more police and more shops on our high street.
“Issue number two. Immigration. People are really excited about Kemi [Badenoch]’s plan to leave the ECHR and they want us to have control over our borders – and I believe that’s a good thing and that’s something I support.
“And surprisingly number three is devolution. Many questions were asked. Should we abolish the Assembly [sic]? Should we give it more powers or should we keep it the same? The residents of Allt-yr-yn want a referendum on devolution and I fully support that.”
Welsh Conservative candidate, Jake Enea, standing in the Newport Islwyn seat says he wants a referendum on the future of devolution.
He intimates the option to abolish the Senedd would be on the ballot paper.
👀👀👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/zo4R7VzE7w
— Huw Davies (@HuwDavies1998) January 27, 2026
Jake’s father Michael Enea, himself a Tory activist in Newport, posted a series of messages aimed at deflecting criticism from his son, who could theoretically be deselected for backing a proposal that is contrary to party policy.
Michael Enea wrote: “Jake Enea is my son. He is presently away on holiday in Cancun, Mexico.
“To be clear. @TheJakeEnea vehemently supports the current @WelshConserv policy and position on devolution.
“Of all the big parties in Wales, the Welsh Conservatives are the only party who oppose the enlargement of the Senedd. Labour, Reform, Plaid all support the enlargement of the Senedd from 60 Members of Senedd to 96. This increase is not wanted by a big majority of the public.
“Jake is presently studying for a Masters Degree in Public Policy at Cardiff Uni. At 21 he is one of the youngest Senedd candidates in Wales. In his campaign video, Jake was simply relaying genuine feedback from local residents – after canvassing with the Conservatives.
“In years to come, maybe there will be a referendum on the future of the Senedd – which could include abolish and independence. But that’s a debate for future years and maybe future generations. That is what Jake was alluding to. Admittedly, he could have worded it better.
“In the here and now Jake fully supports the Welsh Conservative position. I cannot be more clear about this point.
“He is fully supportive of @DarrenMillarMS and the @WelshConserv plan to ‘Fix Wales’.
“After years of failure under Welsh Labour – Wales does need fixing.
‘Breath of fresh air’
He added:” Only last week, Jake was in @WalesOnline highlighting the state of our roads. I think it is a breath of fresh air, to see young candidates out there, raising issues that really matter to people in Wales.”
A spokesperson for the Welsh Conservatives said: “We are a pro-devolution party and Jake Enea supports the party’s position.
“People who oppose the increase in Senedd Members from 60 to 96 should vote Conservative in May.”
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Policy shmolicy! All that WELSH people need to focus on now is annihilating anti Welsh parties at the ballot box just to save our nation, language and identity from extinction.
Can’t claim to fix wales if you take away devolution.
So what is the point of the tory party in Wales, apart from doing BadEnochs bidding.
I’m sure his constituents are thrilled about being misrepresented….
Nice to have your dad not only standing up for your opinions, but telling the voters what you really meant! Needs to grow a pair.
We’ve had two referendums on devolution already – they were both won by the Yes camp, the second one was practically a landslide.
To paraphrase the responses from Brexiteers after people called for a second EU referendum – “You lost – get over it”.
three referendums actually. First time around in 1979 80% voted NO but it was still thought best to keep asking the question at that time; so why not now?
Looks like another potential deform defect in the making.
May I remind political pigmy Jake Enea that the Welsh Assembly changed its name over 5 years ago? If he’s still ignorant of this fact. God help us all? Not the brightest spark in the foundry is he. Anyway, how ignorant do you have to be to not even realise that the Welsh Assembly was replaced on the 20th May 2020 with the Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament) with an additional 36 more MS members. This is why the Welsh Conservatives are regarded as political pariah in Wales. And it’s a distinct possibility they will face an electoral wipeout come May… Read more »
I wouldn’t worry about him. 3rd on the conservative list? He’s not getting a seat.
Not a good start that he’s completely lied about what his constituents want, put his own rather vile belief system before those he claims to represent and just generally made himself look ridiculous.
Wake up and smell the coffee, Unionist parties just aren’t wanted in Wales.
More like the values and ideology of Reform,damned disgusting .
3rd place is another way of saying the 2nd loser. The slop bucket of politics that is reform awaits.
Was Daddy protecting his son or himself. Young Conservatives are rarely of independent mind and the views expressed may have been sourced at the breakfast table.