Paul Davies (Conservative politician)

Paul Windsor Davies (born 1969) is a British politician who has served as Member of the Senedd (MS) for Preseli Pembrokeshire since 2007. He served as Leader of the Welsh Conservatives and Leader of the Opposition in Wales from June 2018 to January 2021, resigning after possible breaches of Welsh COVID-19 rules. He had previously been Deputy Leader from 2011 to 2018 and Acting Leader in 2011 and 2018.

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
On leaving school in 1987 aged 18 Davies started working for Lloyds TSB as a bank clerk based in Haverfordwest. He remained with the bank until his election to the National Assembly in 2007, having risen to become a Business Manager.

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 and was re-elected in May 2011, May 2016 and again in May 2021.

From June 2007 to February 2009 he served as Shadow Minister for Culture, the Welsh Language and Sport. From February 2009 until the Senedd elections in May 2011, Davies held the role of Shadow Minister for Education and the Welsh Language. After his re-election as Senedd Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire at the 2011 elections he briefly held the role of Interim Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, as former Conservative leader Nick Bourne had lost his Mid and West Wales list seat. He served in that post for two months, while a leadership contest was held which saw Andrew RT Davies elected leader of the Welsh Conservatives. He was appointed as Deputy Leader of the Welsh Conservative Senedd Group, and Shadow Minister for Finance in RT Davies' first Shadow Cabinet.

Davies retained this role until after the 2016 Assembly elections, which saw the Conservatives cease to be the official opposition. He was handed the role of Rural Affairs spokesperson. By April 2017, however, the Welsh Tories were once again the largest party, and he therefore became Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs.

Leadership
In 2018, Andrew RT Davies stood down as leader of the Welsh Conservatives, after a confrontation with his party group. It was widely reported that his stance on Brexit was a significant factor. Paul Davies again stepped in as interim leader, and announced his intention to run to hold the role. In a vote held from the 15th of August to the 5th of September Paul Davies won against his opponent Suzy Davies, receiving 68.1% of the vote.

Davies was elected Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in September 2018.

He resigned as Leader of the Welsh Conservatives and Leader of the Opposition on 23 January 2021, shortly after he was seen drinking with fellow MSs in the Senedd in December 2020, days after a ban on serving alcohol in pubs was instituted. At the time it was believed this may be a breach of Welsh COVID-19 regulations. In April 2022 Paul Davies was cleared of breaking the Senedd's code of conduct. His predecessor, Andrew RT Davies, replaced him in the role.

Post-leadership Senedd Career
Davies was re-appointed to the Welsh Shadow Cabinet in April 2024, being appointed Shadow Minister for West Wales.