Welsh Tory leader Andrew RT Davies stuns Theresa May by quitting after double blow from ministers
2 min read
The leader of the Conservative party in Wales has quit just days after two run-ins with senior UK colleagues.
In a major shock, Andrew RT Davies said he was standing down "with deep regret" after seven years in the job.
Mt Davies was slapped down earlier this week after he attacked aerospace giant Airbus for warning that Brexit could force it to leave the UK.
He argued the firm was using threats and “hyperbole” in its warnings that growing uncertainty about the terms of Britain's withdrawal could cost thousands of jobs at its UK plants.
But he was attacked by defence minister and Welsh MP Guto Bebb - who called the comments “inflammatory”.
The Welsh Conservatives had also thrown their support behind a new tidal lagoon in Swansea Bay - arguing it could “unleash an economic revolution”.
But on Monday the major energy plan - which would have been a world first - was thrown out by the UK government, which said it was not worth its £1.3bn price tag.
There are also suggestions that his departure may be linked to splits within the Welsh Conservatives over Brexit.
Mr Davies said in a statement: “It is with deep regret that I announce that I have today tendered my resignation as leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the National Assembly…
“I look forward to supporting whoever emerges from the contest to replace me, and I will continue to place all of my efforts into advancing the Welsh Conservative cause both here in Wales and Westminster.”
Mr Davies has been a member of the National Assembly for Wales since 2007 and was elected leader of the Welsh Conservative group in 2011.
He made headlines in October 2016 when he accidentally told the Tory party conference that "Brexit means breakfast".
His resignation is a major blow for Theresa May amid a difficult period of prolonged Tory infighting and struggles over Brexit.
In a statement, the Prime Minister said: "Under Andrew’s leadership, the Welsh Conservatives have provided a strong opposition to Labour in Cardiff Bay and a strong voice for the people of Wales, both at home and in Westminster.
"I know he will continue to be a passionate champion for the people of South Wales Central in the Assembly, as he has been for more than a decade – and will continue to speak up for the best interests of Wales as we leave the European Union and forge a new role for the whole United Kingdom on the world stage."
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