Paul Davies (politician)


Paul Windsor Davies is a Welsh politician serving as Leader of the Welsh Conservatives since 6 September 2018, and Member of the Senedd for Preseli Pembrokeshire since 3 May 2007. He gained the seat from Labour and was re-elected in May 2011, and again in May 2016. Davies is the Leader of the Opposition in Wales as the Welsh Conservatives are the second largest party in the Senedd.

Background

Davies grew up in Pontsian. He attended Tregroes Primary School and Llandysul Grammar School, obtaining A levels at Newcastle Emlyn Comprehensive School. Davies now lives in Blaenffos, north Pembrokeshire.

Professional career

Davies worked for Lloyds TSB as a Business Manager based in Haverfordwest from 1987 until his election to the National Assembly.

Political career

In February 2000, Davies was adopted as the Conservative Party candidate in the Ceredigion by-election; he came in third place in the results having improved the Conservatives' vote. He then fought the seat in the 2001 general election. In the Senedd election of 2003, he fought Preseli Pembrokeshire where he increased the share of the vote from 23% to 30%, cutting the Labour Party's majority to 1,326.
Davies has also held office within the Conservative Party including chairman of Ceredigion Conservative Association and Deputy Chairman of Mid and West Wales Conservatives.
He was first elected to the Senedd in 2007. Until March 2009 he served as Shadow Minister for Culture, the Welsh Language and Sport. From March 2009 until the Senedd in 2011, Davies held the role of Shadow Minister for Education and the Welsh Language. After his re-election as Senedd Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire in May 2011, he briefly held the role of Interim Leader of the Welsh Conservative Senedd Group before being appointed as Deputy Leader of the Welsh Conservative Senedd Group, and Shadow Minister for Finance.
Davies was elected leader of the Welsh Conservatives in September 2018.