A former leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd acknowledges a challenging year marked by high-profile defections to Nigel Farage’s Reform party. Speaking at the party’s conference in Llandudno, Paul Davies emphasized the urgent need for unity ahead of the May Senedd election.
Criticism of Reform and Calls for Solidarity
Davies accused Reform of focusing primarily on undermining the Conservative party. He predicted that Reform would fade away within five to ten years. “I’m not going to pretend that everything has been great,” Davies stated at the Venue Cymru event. “It’s been a bruising year. We’ve seen politicians ditch the party to chase their personal ambition, because they care more about their own careers than the future of our party.”
He stressed, “In this election, the need for unity has never been more important. Divided parties do not win elections.” Davies highlighted the Conservatives’ history of adaptation over the past 200 years, positioning the party as a enduring force. He warned that defections and internal drama erode public trust and benefit opponents, telling defectors, “The party will be here long after you have all gone.”
Recent Defections and Electoral Challenges
The speech follows defections by two senior Conservative staff members in Cardiff Bay and a former Tory MS joining Reform—the second such switch. Specifically, MSs Laura Anne Jones and James Evans, originally elected as Conservatives, have moved to Reform. Evans faced dismissal in January after informing Davies and Senedd Tory leader Darren Millar of his Reform discussions, which he formalized last week.
The Welsh Conservatives have lost all their Welsh MPs in the 2024 general election and now trail in opinion polls, potentially finishing fourth. Despite this, they held the largest opposition bloc after the 2021 Senedd election.
Conference Pledges and Policy Proposals
At the conference, the party outlined plans for the May election, including establishing a reserve bank of retired doctors if they form the next Welsh government. Despite public critiques, Welsh Conservatives have not dismissed potential cooperation with Reform to form a government post-election, given no party has ever secured a Senedd majority.
Push to Overhaul Education Curriculum
Education spokesperson Natasha Asghar addressed the conference, vowing to scrap the new Welsh curriculum if it proves unfixable. The curriculum, rolling out across primary and secondary schools up to Year 10, faces criticism as “incredibly flawed” and a “disaster,” with teachers grappling with vague principles and interpretive gaps.
Asghar argued it deprives students of essential knowledge-based learning and accused Labour of ignoring school and expert concerns. She pledged a comprehensive review, stating she would not hesitate to abolish it if meaningful reforms fail.
