Davies returns to political frontline

Former Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies (pictured) has made a somewhat expected return to politics after being named Chair of the Wales Conservative Party.

The news was confirmed last night at a Zoom meeting of party members, with Mr Davies stepping out of the retirement he announced last year when he stepped aside to allow Craig Williams to successfully contest the seat he won from Lembit Opik back in 2010.

The Berriew resident said back in March that he intended to return in some capacity, and with Welsh Government elections approaching next year, party members decided he would be the man to try and eat away at Labour’s majority.

“If anyone had suggested to me 30 years ago that such could happen I’d have suggested they joined the David Icke Party,” Mr Davies said of his appointment.

“But reality is I am the new Chair, with some real challenges before me. We are just embarking on a review of the Welsh Conservative Party. First review for 23 years. There may be controversy but we cannot avoid facing up - and quickly. Often been my lot in life. I’ve never ducked it, and won’t now.

Retiring Chair, Lord Byron of Gower, will become the party’s President, while Sam Rowlands and Tomos Dafis become deputies.

“Two big issues in short term,” said Mr Davies. “Firstly, response to Wales Party Review just finished by Lord Mark McInnis. Luckily the UK Central Office team are determined as I am to deliver on it. It’s not time to hang around.

“And then there’s Senedd elections next May. I’ve never been rampantly partisan, but the Welsh Conservative Party owe it to people of Wales to do our utmost to end the Labour Party hegemony in Wales.

“I told the party members on our Zoom meeting tonight that I would do best I can to work with our candidates and with the Welsh people. Our ambition is primarily to help Wales and the Welsh People be successful. We need, above all else a team, all committed to that objective. Tonight I feel we have just that.”