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Andrew RT Davies elected Tory Welsh assembly leader | Andrew RT Davies elected Tory Welsh assembly leader |
(40 minutes later) | |
The Conservatives have chosen Andrew RT Davies as their leader in the Welsh assembly. | The Conservatives have chosen Andrew RT Davies as their leader in the Welsh assembly. |
Mr Davies beat rival Nick Ramsay with 53.1% of the votes in a party election which had a 49% turnout. | Mr Davies beat rival Nick Ramsay with 53.1% of the votes in a party election which had a 49% turnout. |
The South Wales Central assembly member urged his party to offer a "real alternative to the failed Labour ideology in Wales". | The South Wales Central assembly member urged his party to offer a "real alternative to the failed Labour ideology in Wales". |
Prime Minister David Cameron said the Tories' 14-strong group must offer a "strong Conservative voice for Wales." | |
The contest was called after former Tory group leader Nick Bourne lost his seat in May's assembly election. | The contest was called after former Tory group leader Nick Bourne lost his seat in May's assembly election. |
The result was declared at 1445 BST, nearly two hours later than expected, and Mr Davies spoke to the Prime Minister shortly after. | |
Mr Cameron said: "I want to congratulate Andrew on his election as the leader of our party in the Welsh Assembly. | |
"Under Labour, Wales has become the poorest part of the UK, its education system is failing a generation and now Labour are making cuts of £1billion to the NHS. | |
"We must now offer a strong Conservative voice for Wales and I look forward to working closely with Andrew to deliver this and realise our strong ambitions for Wales." | |
Mr Davies paid tribute to both Monmouth AM Mr Ramsay, who won 46.7% of the vote, and Mr Bourne in his acceptance speech at the Swalec Stadium in Cardiff. | Mr Davies paid tribute to both Monmouth AM Mr Ramsay, who won 46.7% of the vote, and Mr Bourne in his acceptance speech at the Swalec Stadium in Cardiff. |
Mr Davies said he had been handed a "great responsibility". | Mr Davies said he had been handed a "great responsibility". |
"Wales runs through my DNA," he said. | "Wales runs through my DNA," he said. |
"I'm a proud Welshman and a proud unionist and I feel bitterly disappointed when I look at the league tables on health, economic performance and education, and we see Wales propping those tables up, rather than leading from the top." | "I'm a proud Welshman and a proud unionist and I feel bitterly disappointed when I look at the league tables on health, economic performance and education, and we see Wales propping those tables up, rather than leading from the top." |
He added: "Above all, we will be inspiring the people of Wales to reach for those heights that I know our communities can go for." | He added: "Above all, we will be inspiring the people of Wales to reach for those heights that I know our communities can go for." |
Mr Davies praised the leadership of Mr Bourne, thanked his family for their support and paid tribute to Mr Ramsay. | Mr Davies praised the leadership of Mr Bourne, thanked his family for their support and paid tribute to Mr Ramsay. |
"Ideologically there's not much difference between us and that stands us in good stead as a party," he said. | "Ideologically there's not much difference between us and that stands us in good stead as a party," he said. |
Offering his congratulations, Mr Ramsay said the new leader had his full support. | Offering his congratulations, Mr Ramsay said the new leader had his full support. |
"This is now about taking the fight to Labour and taking the fight to Carwyn (Jones, First Minister). | "This is now about taking the fight to Labour and taking the fight to Carwyn (Jones, First Minister). |
"Let's fight for the next few years in advance of those assembly elections." | "Let's fight for the next few years in advance of those assembly elections." |
He added that the leadership election had gone "right down to the wire". | |
Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan congratulated both Andrew Davies and Nick Ramsay on how they conducted their campaigns. | Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan congratulated both Andrew Davies and Nick Ramsay on how they conducted their campaigns. |
'Weight of responsibility' | 'Weight of responsibility' |
"This result marks the start of a new chapter for the Welsh Conservatives in the assembly and I look forward to working with Andrew in the years ahead," she said. | "This result marks the start of a new chapter for the Welsh Conservatives in the assembly and I look forward to working with Andrew in the years ahead," she said. |
"I know he realises the weight of responsibility he carries in holding the Labour-led Welsh Government to account, and in ensuring it pursues the right course towards building a stronger economy, providing better services, and offering greater opportunities for everyone in Wales. | "I know he realises the weight of responsibility he carries in holding the Labour-led Welsh Government to account, and in ensuring it pursues the right course towards building a stronger economy, providing better services, and offering greater opportunities for everyone in Wales. |
"There is much to be done. And by working with colleagues at Westminster, in Europe and in local government we can all ensure further success for our party in Wales." | "There is much to be done. And by working with colleagues at Westminster, in Europe and in local government we can all ensure further success for our party in Wales." |
Mr Davies has been an AM since 2007 and sparked speculation about his ambitions when he suddenly stood down as the party's shadow health minister in November 2010. | |
The assembly's Liberal Democrat leader, Kirsty Williams, said: "I'd like to congratulate Andrew on his success on being elected leader of the Conservative group in the National Assembly. | The assembly's Liberal Democrat leader, Kirsty Williams, said: "I'd like to congratulate Andrew on his success on being elected leader of the Conservative group in the National Assembly. |
"I look forward to working with him and other party leaders on furthering devolution for the people of Wales." | "I look forward to working with him and other party leaders on furthering devolution for the people of Wales." |
Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones also congratulated Mr Davies, adding: "With many significant challenges ahead for Wales, particularly over ensuring fair funding and further constitutional advances for our nation, I sincerely hope that he will use his new role to try to influence the Conservative party leadership in Westminster to act in the best interests of Wales." | Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones also congratulated Mr Davies, adding: "With many significant challenges ahead for Wales, particularly over ensuring fair funding and further constitutional advances for our nation, I sincerely hope that he will use his new role to try to influence the Conservative party leadership in Westminster to act in the best interests of Wales." |