Gareth Davies (Welsh politician)
Gareth Davies | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism, Sport, and North Wales | |
| Assumed office 12 December 2024 | |
| Leader | Darren Millar |
| Preceded by | Laura Anne Jones |
| Shadow Minister for Mental Health an Early Years | |
| In office 18 April 2024 – 5 December 2024 | |
| Leader | Andrew RT Davies |
| Preceded by | James Evans |
| Succeeded by | Joel James |
| Shadow Minister for Social Services | |
| In office 27 May 2021 – 18 April 2024 | |
| Leader | Andrew RT Davies |
| Preceded by | Angela Burns |
| Succeeded by | Altaf Hussain |
| Member of the Senedd for Vale of Clwyd | |
| Assumed office 7 May 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Ann Jones |
| Majority | 366 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Gareth Lloyd Davies 17 September 1988 St Asaph, Denbighshire, Wales |
| Nationality | Welsh, British |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse | Catrin Jones |
| Children | 1 |
| Residence(s) | Rhyl, Prestatyn |
| Education | Ysgol Bryn Hedydd, Rhyl, Rydal Penrhos 1996–2005 Coleg Llandrillo Cymru Bangor University |
| Occupation | NHS worker (2010–21) Denbighshire County Councillor (2017–22) Member of the Senedd (2021– |
| Committees | Welsh Parliament Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee |
| Portfolio | Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism, Sport, and North Wales |
| Website | https://www.garethdavies.wales/ |
Gareth Lloyd Davies (born 17 September 1988) is a Welsh Conservative politician who has been Member of the Senedd (MS) for Vale of Clwyd since 2021.[1] He is the first Conservative to win this seat since its establishment in 1999.[2][3]
Early life and education
[edit]Born in 1988, Davies is the son of Steven and Susan Davies. He attended Rydal Penrhos Senior School and Coleg Llandrillo Cymru. From 2010 to 2021, Davies worked in learning disability and mental health nursing, and physiotherapy for the NHS in Flintshire, North Wales.[1]
Political career
[edit]In 2017,[4] he was elected to Denbighshire County Council, representing the Prestatyn South West ward. He also serves the Prestatyn South West ward on Prestatyn Town Council.[5] He was elected to the Welsh Parliament, known as the Senedd, to represent the Vale of Clwyd constituency on 7 May 2021.[2][3] He continued to sit as a Denbighshire County Councillor until 2022. In May 2021, he was appointed as the Shadow Minister for Social Services and elected to the Senedd's Health and Social Care Committee.[6] Following a Shadow Cabinet Reshuffle in April 2024, Davies was appointed Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Early years.[7] He maintained this role until Andrew RT Davies stood down as leader of the Welsh Conservatives in December 2024, whereupon his successor Darren Millar appointed him Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism, Sport, and North Wales.[8] He also now sits on the Senedd's Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee.[9]
On 30 June 2021, Davies delivered the first Members Legislative proposal of the 6th Senedd.[10] He proposed new legislation which would ensure a rights-based approach to services for older people in Wales. His proposal won the backing of Senedd Members,[11] despite opposition from Welsh Government.
In October 2021, there was a vote in the Senedd for the introduction of vaccine passports in Wales. Davies missed the chance to vote in-person as he was at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, and so attempted to cast his vote against the measure via Zoom.[12] He was unable to do so,[13] and the motion passed by a single vote, 28 votes to 27.[14]
In March 2023 Davies caused controversy after stating in the Senedd that there are "too many" Gypsy and Traveller sites in North Wales and adding that, "The simple message is that we don't want them". He was asked to "rethink" his comments by Social Justice Minister Jane Hutt. His remarks were also condemned by gypsy and traveller advocates.[15] Davies subsequently apologised for his remarks.[16]
He has openly discussed serving as a politician with bipolar disorder, having been diagnosed a year prior his election to the Senedd in 2021.[17] He is also an ambassador for the charity Bipolar UK and an advocate for ending the stigma surrounding mental illness.[18]
Personal life
[edit]In 2018, Davies married Catrin Jones; the couple have a son. Outside of politics, he enjoys football, rugby, cricket, running and mountaineering.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Davies, Gareth Lloyd, (born 17 Sept. 1988), Member (C) Vale of Clwyd, Welsh Parliament, since 2021". WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO. 2022. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u295997. ISBN 978-0-19-954088-4. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
- ^ a b "Welsh election results 2021: Labour edges closer to victory". BBC News. 7 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
- ^ a b Mosalski, Ruth (8 May 2021). "Senedd election 2021 result in the Vale of Clwyd: Conservatives take seat from Labour". WalesOnline. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ Council, Denbighshire County (1 April 2013). "Denbighshire County Council". moderngov.denbighshire.gov.uk. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "Councillors Prestatyn". Prestatyn Town Council. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "Health and Social Care Committee".
- ^ "Davies announces new Shadow Cabinet". 18 April 2024.
- ^ "New Welsh Conservatives leader Darren Millar MS announces shadow cabinet". 12 December 2024.
- ^ "Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee".
- ^ "Vale of Clwyd MS, Gareth Davies secures support for older people's bill | AberdareOnline". www.aberdareonline.co.uk. July 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "Plenary 30/06/2021". Welsh Parliament. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ Howie, Michael (6 October 2021). "Gareth Davies: Tory who missed crucial Wales Covid pass vote was at party conference". Evening Standard.
- ^ Owen, Twm (5 October 2021). "Tory Gareth Davies couldn't vote against Covid pass via Zoom". The National Wales. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ Finnis, Alex (6 October 2021). "How to get a vaccine passport in Wales: Where to get the Welsh Covid pass and the new rules explained". i. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ "Vale of Clwyd MS leaves minister 'shocked' by Gypsy and Traveller comments". 2 March 2023.
- ^ "Vale of Clwyd MS apologises for offence caused by Gypsy and Traveller comments". 3 March 2023.
- ^ Owen, Garry (9 October 2024). "Bipolar diagnosis changed my life, says politician". BBC.
- ^ "Bipolar UK Ambassadors". Bipolar UK. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
External links
[edit]- Gareth Davies MS Official website
Offices held
[edit]Town and County Councillor for South West Prestatyn (2017–2022)