Gareth Davies (Welsh politician)
Gareth Davies | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 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 Health and Social Care Committee |
| Portfolio | Shadow Minister for Social Services |
| 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] Controversially, 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]
On 30 June 2021, Davies delivered the first Members Legislative proposal of the 6th Senedd.[7] 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,[8] 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.[9] He was unable to do so,[10] and the motion passed by a single vote, 28 votes to 27.[11] This is seen by many as one of the most pivotal and famous moments of the Senedd since its inception in 1999[by whom?].
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.[12] Davies subsequently apologised for his remarks.[13]
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".
- ^ "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.
External links
[edit]- Gareth Davies MS Official website
Offices held
[edit]Town and County Councillor for South West Prestatyn (2017-2022)