The Welsh Conservative Party is at a pivotal moment as it prepares to confirm its new leader. Nominations for the leadership position are set to conclude on Thursday, with Darren Millar widely anticipated to be appointed unopposed. Currently serving as the chief whip, Millar has garnered significant support, receiving endorsements from 14 of his fellow party members, leaving him as the sole candidate by the time nominations roll to a close. The leadership transition follows the resignation of Andrew RT Davies earlier in the week, who stepped down amidst escalating pressures concerning the party’s trajectory and direction.
Months of dissatisfaction from within the party culminated in Davies’s departure after his narrow victory, where he secured only nine votes in his favor during a confidence vote. This discontent indicated a growing rift within the Welsh Conservatives, giving rise to Millar’s candidacy. The new leader has pledged to bring harmony to the ranks, especially considering that seven party members had opposed Davies during the confidence vote.
Darren Millar’s political journey began in 2007 when he was first elected as a Member of the Senedd (MS) for Clwyd West. Having roots in Towyn, Conwy, Millar is seen as a seasoned figure in Welsh politics, and alongside Andrew RT Davies, he stands as one of the more prominent members of the Conservative group in the Senedd. His experience as a spokesperson for Tory policies in Welsh media bolsters his profile as a credible candidate for leader. Notably, this is the first time Millar is contending for the leadership role within the party.
As the potential new leader, Millar is expected to prioritize unifying the party and refocusing on holding the Welsh government accountable for its decisions and policies, which has been a growing concern among party members. Following his anticipated confirmation, Millar would become the third political leader in Wales to ascend to leadership unopposed within the last two years, joining notable figures like Eluned Morgan of Labour and Rhun ap Iorwerth of Plaid Cymru.
The backdrop to this leadership change is notable; members of the Conservative Party have expressed significant concern over the direction established under Davies. His comments on sensitive topics like halal meat in schools had stirred controversy, leading some to label them as “race-baiting.” Additionally, his public remarks on devolution, notably a tweet posed during an agricultural show questioning the need for the Senedd, alienated some core supporters who firmly back devolved governance.
Supporters of Davies argued that his leadership was necessary in combating rising challenges, particularly the emergence of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party. However, several members felt that the party was not making enough efforts to expand its appeal beyond its traditional voter base, which became evident in recent opinion polls that placed the Conservatives in fourth place behind Plaid, Reform, and Labour ahead of the next election scheduled for May 2026.
Millar’s confirmation would be built upon a coalition of support from various party figures, including Davies himself and other notable members like Paul Davies, Janet Finch-Saunders, and Russell George. Despite this support, there remains unease among the grassroots, highlighted by concerns voiced by local party member Huw Davies who lamented the lack of a competitive election process that would ordinarily bestow legitimacy upon the new leader.
Nominations for the leadership post are set to close at 17:00 GMT on Thursday, with expectations running high that no other candidates will emerge, locking in Millar as the new face of the Welsh Conservative Party. His leadership is seen as critical to navigating the party’s next steps in a changing political landscape and addressing the internal concerns amongst party members as they look towards the future.
