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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Two Tories reject Bourne offers | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Two leading Welsh Conservative assembly members have left the shadow cabinet in a surprise reshuffle. | Two leading Welsh Conservative assembly members have left the shadow cabinet in a surprise reshuffle. |
| Cardiff North AM Jonathan Morgan, health spokesman since 2003, turned down the education portfolio. | |
| Chief whip William Graham also rejected the offer of another job and is replaced by Alun Cairns. | |
| Leader Nick Bourne said it would bring a "fresh perspective" but the changes have raised more questions about tensions within the Conservative group. | |
| Mr Graham, the South Wales East AM, had been offered another post but will now take a backbench role, the party confirmed. | |
| South Wales Central AM Andrew R T Davies moves from education to Mr Morgan's old job as health spokesperson. | |
| He is succeeded as education spokesman by Paul Davies. | |
| The move raises questions about tensions in the Conservative group between Mr Morgan and the Mr Bourne, according to BBC Wales' political editor Betsan Powys. | The move raises questions about tensions in the Conservative group between Mr Morgan and the Mr Bourne, according to BBC Wales' political editor Betsan Powys. |
| CONSERVATIVE ASSEMBLY TEAM Leader - Nick Bourne (pictured above)Chief Whip, heritage and business manager - Alun Cairns Economy - David MeldingHealth - Andrew RT Davies Education and the Welsh language - Paul Davies Environment - Angela BurnsFinance - Nick RamsayLocal Government - Darren Millar Rural Affairs - Brynle Williams Social Justice - Mark Isherwood | CONSERVATIVE ASSEMBLY TEAM Leader - Nick Bourne (pictured above)Chief Whip, heritage and business manager - Alun Cairns Economy - David MeldingHealth - Andrew RT Davies Education and the Welsh language - Paul Davies Environment - Angela BurnsFinance - Nick RamsayLocal Government - Darren Millar Rural Affairs - Brynle Williams Social Justice - Mark Isherwood |
| Mr Bourne has repeatedly faced questions over his leadership in recent months, with Mr Morgan rumoured to be keen to replace him. | |
| BBC Wales political reporter Brian Meechan said Mr Morgan was once seen as close to the Conservative assembly leader and the pair shared the same view about making devolution work. | BBC Wales political reporter Brian Meechan said Mr Morgan was once seen as close to the Conservative assembly leader and the pair shared the same view about making devolution work. |
| However, when Mr Bourne faced questions over his expense claims for an iPod and a trouser press in December, Mr Morgan was seen to be amongst his chief critics. | However, when Mr Bourne faced questions over his expense claims for an iPod and a trouser press in December, Mr Morgan was seen to be amongst his chief critics. |
| In a statement, the party said Mr Morgan will be nominated as chair of the assembly's influential audit committee. | In a statement, the party said Mr Morgan will be nominated as chair of the assembly's influential audit committee. |
| In addition to being chief whip, Mr Cairns, AM for South Wales West, will act as heritage and business manager, while working alongside David Melding AM as a spokesman on the economy. | In addition to being chief whip, Mr Cairns, AM for South Wales West, will act as heritage and business manager, while working alongside David Melding AM as a spokesman on the economy. |
| Clwyd West AM Darren Millar will be nominated as chair of the health, well-being and local government committee. | Clwyd West AM Darren Millar will be nominated as chair of the health, well-being and local government committee. |
| Mr Bourne said he wanted to promote AMs elected in 2007 and give people "fresh experience", but he did not intend to demote Mr Morgan. | |
| He said: "If that had been my intention at the outset I would not have offered Jonathan a key frontbench role in education. | |
| "That is a disappointment. Jonathan is a mate and he's a great performer and I feel sorry that he didn't take up the education portfolio." | |
| Mr Graham was offered another post, but it was his "prerogative" to turn it down, Mr Bourne said. | |
| "I'm disappointed, but he has given very good service in the past and I thank him very much for that." | |
| Mr Bourne said the changes would bring a "fresh perspective" to the "vitally important role of scrutinising the Labour-Plaid Assembly Government and its policies". | Mr Bourne said the changes would bring a "fresh perspective" to the "vitally important role of scrutinising the Labour-Plaid Assembly Government and its policies". |
| "In particular, by appointing Alun Cairns to work alongside David Melding on the economy it underlines just how seriously Welsh Conservatives take the challenge of helping Wales emerge in a strong position from the recession," he said. | "In particular, by appointing Alun Cairns to work alongside David Melding on the economy it underlines just how seriously Welsh Conservatives take the challenge of helping Wales emerge in a strong position from the recession," he said. |