New Tory Leader Open to Calls Regarding Welsh Conservative Figurehead

Samuel Kurtz, chairman of the Conservative party in the Senedd, has stated that the incoming Tory leader is “open to calls” concerning the leadership of the Welsh Conservatives. Mr. Kurtz had previously written to all candidates vying to succeed Rishi Sunak, urging them to support proposals to designate the Senedd group leader as the party’s official leader in Wales. Kemi Badenoch secured victory in the leadership contest among grassroots Conservative members, garnering 57% of the vote. She defeated Robert Jenrick, who was the preferred candidate of the current Conservative Senedd leader. Mr. Kurtz, however, conveyed that the new leader “wants us as Senedd members involved in shaping the party going forward”. The leadership of the Conservative party in Wales is presently shared among three individuals: Andrew RT Davies, the group leader in the Senedd; Tomos Dafydd Davies, the party’s chairman in Wales; and Lord Byron Davies, the shadow secretary of state for Wales. Despite this, Conservative Senedd members have long advocated for the Senedd leader to serve as the official figurehead for the party in Wales. Mr. Kurtz expressed his belief that the new UK Conservative leader was attentive to these appeals. He elaborated, “Kemi’s quite open to the calls I made as chair of the Welsh Conservative group in the Senedd about how the structure of the party looks in Wales and that accountability.” He added, “Those discussions will be ongoing now with Kemi as she settles into the role and I look forward to those.” Andrew RT Davies, the current Senedd leader, publicly endorsed Jenrick. In an article for the Telegraph, he wrote that Jenrick possessed a “clear plan for how we restore the faith in British politics” and that “the public has had enough of policy-free politicians who talk a good game, but have nothing to back it up”. During the leadership contest, Jenrick accused Badenoch of being “disrespectful” to Conservative members by failing to present clear policies. Mr. Davies congratulated Badenoch on her leadership victory and urged his party to “get behind” her. He stated, “On behalf of the Welsh Conservatives, I’d like to congratulate Kemi on becoming leader of our party and wish her well in leading His Majesty’s Opposition.” He continued, “Both candidates brought forward a positive vision for our country and now that the contest is finished, it’s time to come together and get behind Kemi in holding this dreadful Labour government to account, who have already caused so much damage to Wales in their short time in power in London. “For Wales, and for the United Kingdom, it’s vital that we put an end to Labour’s rule at both ends of the M4, and I look forward to working with Kemi to make that happen.” When asked if it was judicious for Mr. Davies, as Senedd group leader, to have publicly supported a candidate, Mr. Kurtz responded that it was a “decision for Andrew”. He further commented, “What I know Andrew will do now is get behind Kemi Badenoch and unify the party here in Wales behind our new leader, looking forward towards the Senedd election in 2026.” Speaking after the leadership result was announced on Saturday morning, Badenoch declared that her mission to rebuild the party would involve all Conservative members across the UK. She affirmed, “That huge job begins today.” She added, “It will seek to involve all of our colleagues in Parliament, in the Scottish Parliament, the Senedd, our friends in Northern Ireland, as well as councillors and party members.”