“We have let a lot of people down”

Emily Price

Welsh Conservative Senate leader Andrew R T Davies said his party had “let a lot of people down” as the Conservatives suffered a humiliating defeat in Wales.

In a social media post in which he criticised his own party in Westminster, he said: “We are a party that aims to govern and improve opportunities for people.

“Let’s be honest: we’ve let a lot of people down.

“In Wales, Welsh Conservatives have a strong presence in our communities at all levels of government, from local government to the Senedd and Parliament.

“And we intend to take the lead in rebuilding our party by 2026.

“Step One: Stop Taking Conservative Voters for Granted.”

Loss

Labour won 27 of the 32 seats in Wales, while Plaid doubled its MEPs to four.

The Liberal Democrats finished the election with one, but the Conservatives, who won 14 seats in the 2019 election, had none.

Secretary of State for Wales David TC Davies, the last of the rejected Conservatives, had been MP for Monmouth since 2005 and Secretary of State for Wales from October 2022.

In a tribute to him on Twitter, Andrew RT Davies said: “I want to pay tribute to all the party members and activists who have worked so hard over the last few weeks.

“I would like to pay tribute to the candidates who have shown commitment in delivering the Welsh Conservative message, and in particular David TC Davies.”

Former ministers Alun Cairns, Stephen Crabb and Fay Jones also lost their seats, as did Rishi Sunak’s former parliamentary adviser Craig Williams.