Paul Davies MS is Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Chief Whip, and Shadow Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, bringing a wealth of experience and institutional knowledge to the Welsh Conservative front bench.
Born in 1969, Paul grew up in the rural village of Pontsian, just outside Llandysul in Ceredigion. He was educated locally at Tregroes Primary School and Llandysul Grammar School, before completing his A Levels at Newcastle Emlyn Comprehensive School. After leaving school, Paul began his professional career in 1987 with Lloyds Bank, where he worked for two decades. His final role with the bank was as a Business Manager based in Haverfordwest, where he played an active role in supporting and advising local small businesses.
Paul’s involvement in politics began at a grassroots level, where he held various senior roles within the Conservative Party in Mid and West Wales, including Chairman of the Ceredigion Conservative Association and Deputy Chairman of Mid and West Wales Conservatives. In 2000, Paul contested the Ceredigion Parliamentary by-election. He significantly improved the party's position, moving from fifth to third and overtaking Labour in the process. He stood again in the 2001 General Election for the same seat, and in the 2003 Welsh Parliament election, he contested Preseli Pembrokeshire — increasing the Conservative vote share and cutting Labour’s lead to just over 1,300 votes.
In May 2007, Paul was elected as the Member of the Welsh Assembly for Preseli Pembrokeshire with a 3,205 majority and 38.6% of the vote. He has since been re-elected in 2011, 2016, and 2021. Over his parliamentary career, he has held a number of shadow portfolios, including Education and the Welsh Language, Finance, Rural Affairs, and the Economy.
In September 2018, he was elected as Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, a position he held until January 2021.
Following the 2021 Senedd election, Paul was appointed as Shadow Minister for the Economy and later, in Spring 2024, took on the role of Shadow Minister for West Wales. He was also Chair of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee from 2021-2025.
In recognition of his experience and deep understanding of parliamentary procedure and constitutional matters, Paul was appointed in 2025 as Shadow Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, alongside his responsibilities as Deputy Leader, Chief Whip and Business Manager.
In September 2025, Paul was selected as the lead candidate for the newly created Ceredigion-Penfro seat for the 2026 Senedd election.
Paul lives with his wife Julie in Blaenffos, North Pembrokeshire and they were married in September 2006. Paul has previously been a member of Boncath Community Council and was a school Governor for many years. His main interests outside politics are rugby, reading and visiting historical attractions.
For more information about Paul, please visit his website.
