Andrew RT Davies became Leader of the Opposition in the Senedd on 6 April 2017, after he invited Mark Reckless to join the Welsh Conservative Senedd group, making the Welsh Conservative group the second largest group in the Senedd.
After the May 2016 Welsh Assembly election, Plaid Cymru were the second largest party, with 12 members to the Welsh Conservatives' 11. As such, they formed a Shadow Cabinet under Leanne Wood.[1] In October 2016, Dafydd Elis-Thomas left Plaid Cymru, tying the two parties on 11 members.[2] Between October 2016 and April 2017, there was no Official Opposition. In April 2017, Mark Reckless, formerly of UKIP, joined the Welsh Conservative group in the Senedd, increasing that group from 11 to 12.[3]
Reckless was not permitted to rejoin the Conservative Party. Regardless, the decision to allow Reckless to join the Conservative Senedd group was thoroughly criticised, with Gower MP Byron Davies describing it as "not a particularly bright idea."[3]
In June 2018, RT Davies resigned as leader of the Welsh Conservatives after losing the confidence of the Welsh Conservative Senedd group.[4] The 2018 Welsh Conservatives leadership election was held to replace him, and won by his deputy, Paul Davies, who then formed his own Shadow Cabinet.[5]
Members
Portfolios were carried over from Spokesperson appointments made shortly after the 2016 Assembly election, but with those roles becoming Shadow Ministries.[6][7]
References
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