Sam Rowlands

Member of the Welsh Parliament for Fflint Wrecsam.
Shadow Minister for Finance, Education and Families.

Sam was elected to represent the North Wales Electoral Region at the 2021 Welsh Parliament Elections. He had previously stood for the Vale of Clwyd constituency in the 2016 election, where he secured the biggest swing to the Conservative Party in Wales. After his election Sam was appointed as the Conservative Party’s Shadow Minister for Local Government in Wales. He was appointed the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Transport and Infrastructure in May 2025.

Sam is a member of the Welsh Parliament’s Finance Committee. He also laid a Member Bill on Outdoor Education in November 2023, which would have guaranteed every child in Wales a residential outdoor education trip away from home at some point during their education.   

Prior to his election, Sam was the Leader of Conwy County Borough Council between 2019 and 2021. He worked as a Credit Risk Manager for HSBC between 2009 and 2019.

Sam was first elected to both Conwy County Borough and Abergele Town Councils in 2008, and stood down at the 2022 Local Government Elections. He served as Abergele’s youngest ever Mayor between 2015 and 2016.

News

Fall in school attendance worse amongst poorer pupils

Over half of all pupils eligible for free school meals were persistently absent from school in Wales last year, figures published today show.In the 2025-26 academic year, 51.3% of pupils eligible for free school meals were persistently absent from school, up from 49% in 2024-25.Last year, school att

Plaid's budget has the wrong priorities

Responding to the Plaid Cymru Welsh Government’s first Supplementary Budget, Sam Rowlands MS, Shadow Minister for Finance, said:"This budget has the wrong priorities, offering the same tired approach we saw under Labour despite Plaid’s promises of change."There is nothing here to support small

Supplementary budget: Missed opportunity to build a stronger economy

Speaking ahead of the Finance Minister’s statement on the Welsh Government’s Supplementary Budget, Sam Rowlands MS, Shadow Minister for Finance, said:"This Supplementary Budget should have been an opportunity to take the difficult decisions to build a stronger economy and deliver on the priorities o

Consultation on mobile phones in schools welcomed

Commenting on the announcement from the Welsh Government of a consultation on restricting mobile phones in schools, Sam Rowlands MS, Shadow Minister for Education and Families, said:“The Welsh Conservatives have long pointed out the risks to children and young people of excessive mobile phone use an

Welsh Conservatives say mobile phone survey backs need for action in schools

The Welsh Conservatives have said new survey findings on mobile phone use in schools support their call for clearer national action.The survey found that mobile phone restrictions are seen to have positive impacts on reducing distraction, improving behaviour, tackling bullying and supporting learner

Welsh Conservatives call for clarity over Plaid Cymru childcare rollout

The Welsh Conservatives have called on the Plaid Cymru Welsh Government to provide further detail on how its childcare plans will be rolled out across Wales.The Welsh Government has announced £55m of funding, including the expansion of funded childcare to more two-year-olds and £10m of capital fundi

Welsh Conservatives raise serious concerns over GCSE English changes

The Welsh Conservatives have raised deep concerns following warnings that significant changes are likely to the new GCSE English Language and Literature qualification, only months after it began being taught.WJEC has said it has concluded that “significant adjustments are needed” after feedback from

First Minister Rules Out Wales-Wide Mobile Phone Ban In Schools

The First Minister has ruled out a Wales-wide ban on mobile phones in schools and says he will instead “empower schools” to set their own approach.In England, the government intends to pass a law so that schools must adhere to the guidance that all schools should be free of smartphones throughout th