Charles III
51-542: 51°46′08″N 4°23′08″W / 51.768942°N 4.385430°W / 51.768942; -4.385430 Llansteffan , is a village and community situated on the south coast of Carmarthenshire , Wales , lying on the estuary of the River Tywi , 7 miles (11 km) south of Carmarthen . The community includes Llanybri and is bordered by the communities of: Laugharne Township ; Llangynog ; Llangain ; St Ishmael ; and Pembrey and Burry Port Town . The population of
102-570: A "wake-up call" for "one of the jewels in the crown of UK manufacturing". A number of Davies' Welsh Conservative colleagues, including Secretary of State Alun Cairns , Mr Davies' Deputy, Paul Davies , and Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay , were all Remain supporters, in contrast to Davies role as a Vote Leave voice in the Welsh Conservatives. In Spring 2018, a text was reportedly sent by Cairns which discussed with Welsh Conservative AMs how and when to remove Davies. Davies initially only stated that
153-610: A call for "dog-free areas" in the Welsh Countryside, based on an article in the Daily Mail which made the same claim. The Welsh Government described this as "inaccurate and a complete misrepresentation" of the report. Climate Cymru Ethnic Minorities - who were responsible for the portion of the report the line was included described it as being “out of context, misrepresented and used as clickbait to drive engagement.” Climate Cymru Ethnic Minorities asked Davies to remove his tweet about
204-498: A demonstrably poor understanding of sovereignty in Britain as they call for a federalist system that will only serve to worsen, not solve, the issues present in Wales." On 24 July 2024, Davies wrote an article for the website of GB News entitled "Children SHOULD NOT be forced to eat Halal school lunches", referring to a story from a member of the public who had allegedly been told that there
255-451: A dinner regarding the leadership of the party after Davies had spoken, who later was reported to be Ramsay. Davies resigned as Leader of the Welsh Conservatives on 27 June 2018. A source close to Davies described the events at the time as "the revenge of Tory Remainers who can’t forgive him for going against Cameron and campaigning for a Leave vote in the Brexit referendum." Davies resignation
306-623: A figure in Westminster had sent the text, but refused to name the individual. This text was reportedly sent to Davies by accident, describing how "the other end of the M4" were in support of his replacement. In around April 2018, it was rumoured that his Deputy Leader Paul Davies was planning a leadership challenge to Davies. Amid internal discussions in the party, Nick Ramsay reportedly made it clear to Mr Davies that they did not like each other prior to his resignation, and an AM reportedly "stormed out" of
357-531: A pregnant woman with the text "Welsh Government press release celebrates ‘birthing people.’ Wales makes womb for ‘birthing people.'" The Senedd Standards Committee found his tweet to be "a blatant lie", but did not say that any further action in relation to the breach of the Code of Conduct was warranted. In November 2024, he faced similar criticism for his allegation that the Wales Anti-racism action plan contained
408-639: A total of £96,808.89 in EU subsidies over the period 16 October 2013 to 15 October 2014 alone, including £70,930.63 allocated under the Single Area payment scheme, £24,099.86 in agro-environmental payments, and £1,728.40 from the first Afforestation of Agricultural Land scheme. Commenting on the revelation of these figures, Britain Stronger in Europe spokesman James McGrory said "taking money from Europe while saying we should leave
459-542: A vote on tax-varying powers for the Welsh Assembly. The four ministers failed to support a motion condemning the choice of the lock-step model for devolution of taxation, which would not allow Wales to increase the rate of tax paid on any specific tax band - instead requiring any change to be made to all of them. They were removed from their roles despite this being the policy of the UK Conservative Party. After
510-594: Is a division of land in Wales that forms the lowest tier of local government in Wales . Welsh communities are analogous to civil parishes in England but, unlike English parishes, communities cover the whole of Wales. There are 878 communities in Wales. Until 1974 Wales was divided into civil parishes . These were abolished by section 20 (6) of the Local Government Act 1972 , and replaced by communities by section 27 of
561-467: Is a grade II* listed building. Between the castle and village sits Plas Llanstephan , Lord Kylsant 's former residence, which is also a grade II* listed building The village was connected to Ferryside , on the opposite bank of the Towy estuary, by a ferry until the 1950s. It saved visitors a 16 mile road trip. In 2018, a ferry service resumed using an amphibious boat to negotiate Llansteffan beach, rather than
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#1733093999572612-973: Is governed by Llansteffan & Llanybri Community Council comprising up to 10 community councillors. Until 2022 a county electoral ward of Llansteffan existed. This ward stretched north from Llansteffan to include Llangynog and Llangain, with a total population of 2,006. From the 2022 local elections Llansteffan was merged with the St Clears ward to become 'St Clears and Llansteffan', represented by two county councillors. Community (Wales) Heir Apparent William, Prince of Wales First Minister ( list ) Rt Hon Eluned Morgan MS ( L ) Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies MS ( L ) Counsel General-designate – Elisabeth Jones Chief Whip and Trefnydd – Jane Hutt MS (L) Permanent Secretary Sixth Senedd Llywydd (Presiding Officer) Elin Jones MS ( PC ) Leader of
663-530: Is hypocrisy of the first order." In September 2019, Davies criticised proposals by the Liberal Democrats, Labour, and other parties which would force Prime Minister Boris Johnson to seek an extension to Article 50 if it prevented a no deal exit from the European Union. He described the avoidance of Brexit on 31 October as a "betrayal of democracy". He criticised First Minister Mark Drakeford for recalling
714-769: The 2001 general election , and Brecon and Radnorshire in 2005 . He served as Deputy Chairman (Political) for the Conservative Party in South Wales Central from 2002 to 2003, a region that comprises the Conservative Associations in Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taff and the Vale of Glamorgan. Between 2004 and 2005 he was Deputy Chairman of the Cardiff West Conservative Association. In 2007 , he
765-642: The 2016 Welsh Assembly election , Davies was re-elected but ceased to be Leader of the Opposition, as the Welsh Conservatives became the third largest party. Davies became Leader of the Opposition again in April 2017, after Mark Reckless rejoined the Welsh Conservative Senedd group, making the Welsh Conservatives the second largest group in the Senedd again. RT Davies was criticised for allowing Reckless to rejoin
816-566: The European Union , stating that if the UK voted to leave, it could mean "Wales could be as much as half a billion pounds a year better off". In a July 2016 interview with WalesOnline, Davies insisted that, as a result of Brexit "Wales must not lose a penny of the money that has historically flowed into Wales". However, after the referendum, the Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns , confirmed that
867-586: The Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 and the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011 . Andrew RT Davies Andrew Robert Tudor Davies CBE (born 1968) is a Welsh politician serving as Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Welsh Conservative Group in the Senedd since 2021, having also held both roles on previous occasions. He has been a Member of the Senedd (MS) since 2007 . He
918-554: The 1950s jetty. Llansteffan Castle , built by the Normans in the 12th century and granted to the Marmion family, stands above the village on a promontory commanding the estuary passage. Located between the ferry crossing-points of the Tywi and Tâf rivers, Llansteffan was an important staging post on the coastal route from Glamorgan via Kidwelly to Pembroke . At the local level, Llansteffan
969-506: The 2021 Senedd election, the Welsh Conservatives received 16 seats. Davies stated his intention to remain as leader of the Welsh Conservatives after this result. In a July 2021 op-ed for Mail+ , Davies accused the Welsh media of being "in hock to the nationalist agenda". He wrote: "This is what's in store for us in the Senedd over the next five years: listening to Labour ministers regurgitate historically ignorant, politically extreme ideas and
1020-475: The Crown . In Wales, all town councils are community councils. There are now three communities with city status: Bangor , St Asaph and St Davids . The chair of a town council or city council will usually have the title mayor (Welsh: maer ). However, not every community has a council. In communities with populations too small to sustain a full community council, community meetings may be established. The communities in
1071-655: The Opposition Andrew RT Davies MS ( C ) Shadow Cabinet ( current ) Prime Minister Rt Hon Keir Starmer MP ( L ) Secretary of State for Wales Rt Hon Jo Stevens MP (L) Principal councils ( leader list ) Corporate Joint Committees Local twinning see also: Regional terms and Regional economy United Kingdom Parliament elections European Parliament elections (1979–2020) Local elections Police and crime commissioner elections Referendums A community ( Welsh : cymuned )
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#17330939995721122-443: The Senedd's Code of Conduct by describing Wales' reduction of the default speed limit in built up areas from 30 to 20 as a "blanket" policy. His colleague and Shadow Transport Minister Natasha Asghar had been reprimanded prior to this for the same matter. . He was also found to have breached the Code of Conduct over a tweet in which posted an image from an article from Guido Fawkes , containing First Minister Vaughan Gething and of
1173-620: The UK Government would in fact reduce the amount allocated for Wales (which the European Union had earmarked at £1.9 billion for the period 2014 to 2020). In the run-up to the UK's invocation of Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union, Davies claimed that the Welsh Government should be denied the right to be part of Brexit negotiations on devolved areas. Despite his firm anti-EU stance, Davies' family firm TJ Davies and Sons had accepted
1224-498: The Vale of Glamorgan County show on whether the Senedd should be abolished, prompting criticism from members of his own party. However, he has supported some policies that would increase Senedd powers, including supporting the ability of the Senedd to raise taxes on individual tax brackets independently, rather than in 'lock-step' as proposed by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government in 2014. Davies
1275-465: The Vale of Glamorgan show on whether the Senedd should be abolished, with several members of Shadow Cabinet publicly criticising the poll, with former party leaders Paul Davies and Nick Bourne both questioning why a policy that is not formally party policy was being polled. In October 2024, Davies was censured by the Senedd Standards of Conduct Committee, after having been found to have breached
1326-539: The Welsh Assembly to debate Brexit, stating that the decision would "achieve nothing", and joined Conservative ministers in voting against a motion criticising the UK Government's handling of a no deal exit. Davies has frequently been critical of further devolution to the Senedd. In In 2022, he called on candidates in the July–September 2022 Conservative Party leadership election to pledge that they would not grant further powers to Senedd. In 2024, he polled attendees of
1377-675: The Welsh Conservatives Nick Bourne both making statements about Islamophobia in the party. Davies responded by saying "These were legitimate questions and as an elected member, I fulfilled my responsibilities by asking them. Attempts to equate those legitimate concerns with the disorder we’ve seen on our streets is particularly irresponsible. Just as the thuggery we’ve seen cannot be justified by legitimate concerns on political issues, those same concerns must not be ignored by political leaders." Davies faced further public criticism from within his party after he polled attendees of
1428-687: The community boundaries within their area every fifteen years. The councils propose changes to the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales , which prepares a report and makes recommendations to the Welsh Government . If the Welsh Government accepts the recommendations, then it implements them using a statutory instrument . For example, in 2016 four new communities were created in the City and County of Cardiff . The legislation surrounding community councils in Wales has been amended significantly in
1479-467: The community was 941 in 2011 which includes the Llansteffan village population of 424. Llansteffan means " Llan of Saint Stephen", but honours a 6th-century Welsh associate of Saint Teilo rather than the more widely known protomartyr . The parish of Llansteffan consists of two distinct villages with separate churches: Llansteffan by the estuary and Llanybri inland on the hilltop. St Ystyffan's church
1530-679: The council, providing no time for a response. However, his false allegations were promoted by far-right activist Tommy Robinson and gained large social media attention during early stages of the 2024 United Kingdom riots . Davies' initial article and letter were described as "ham-fisted attempts at dog-whistle racism" and "Islamophobic race-baiting" by the Muslim Council of Wales. He also faced further criticism from within his own party, with Muslim MS Natasha Asghar saying she had "raised concerns" directly with Davies about his statements and Shadow Finance Minister Peter Fox and former leader of
1581-505: The group, with Byron Davies , then Conservative MP for Gower describing it as "not a particularly bright idea," and Wales Secretary Alun Cairns clarifying that Reckless had not been allowed to become a member of the Conservative Party, and was only a member of the Conservative Senedd Group. In June 2018, Wales Online led an investigation into what they described as Davies keeping his "public constituency office hidden from
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1632-438: The investigation by stating the arrangements had been made "following a security incident at Andrew’s previous office on Cowbridge High Street where police attended to support a female employee", necessitating a more secure location. They continued stating that "Andrew regularly hosts constituents and organisations at his office and if he knew a Western Mail journalist had intended to visit he would’ve been there to welcome him with
1683-408: The issues faced by NRW were down to the 35% real terms cut in their budget and the organisation being under resourced. In 2019, Davies was reported by Wales Online as having the highest budget for constituency office spending of any AM in the five Assembly political groups, with a spend of £102,655, including £35,182 for a salary for his wife Julia. Davies did not respond to requests for comments in
1734-566: The kettle on". Davies responded to concerns raised by Airbus in June 2018 regarding the threat of a no-deal Brexit by stating that "there is a lot of hyperbole flying around" regarding a no deal Brexit. The comments were criticised by Conservative figures including Guto Bebb . Bebb went on to dispute Davies title as "Leader of the Welsh Conservatives", stating he only led the Assembly group. Secretary of State Alun Cairns described Airbus' comments as
1785-530: The local Young Farmers Club, and is a former chairman of Creative Communities, which seeks to develop structural community development. Davies is also a life governor of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, and was the Society's Oxford Farming Conference Scholar in 2002. He is a former governor at Llanfair Primary School. Joining the Conservative Party in 1997, Davies fought Cardiff West in
1836-465: The matter on this basis, and he refused, stating he "[made] no apologies for opposing labour's divisive “Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan”." Climate Cymru and Climate Cymru Ethnic Minorities reported harassment after Davies made the claim. On 28 November 2024, it was reported by Nation.Cymru that Davies had been asked to step down by members of the Welsh Conservative group. Later that same day it
1887-533: The piece. In a June 2019 op-ed on Nation.Cymru , Davies stated his top wishes from an incoming Conservative prime minister for Wales would be: In July 2020, RT Davies was reshuffled from Shadow Environment Minister to Shadow Health Minister. Following the storming of the United States Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump on 6 January 2021, Davies was criticised for comparing the riot to other British politicians' opposition to Brexit . RT Davies
1938-571: The public". The piece stated the office was located in a "wooden cabin 50 yards beyond a vehicle security barrier on a rural farm estate". In a freedom of information response by the Assembly Commission, the address of the office was confirmed as Penllyn Estate, Llwynhelig, Cowbridge CF71 7FF, a 1,200-acre mixed farm operation. The information only came to light after the FOI request by a Conservative Party member. A spokesperson for Davies responded to
1989-628: The removal of the flat-rate financial support grant at the time provided to Welsh people who studied at Welsh universities, and criticised that both spending and achievemnt were lagging behind English counterparts. He also sat on the Assembly's Petitions Committee and the Subordinate Legislation Committee. In February 2009 he became the Shadow Minister for Health in the National Assembly for Wales. He then resigned from
2040-641: The role in November 2010, shortly after a wider reshuffle. He claimed at the time of his resignation he was not seeking the leadership of the Welsh Conservative Group. He won an award for being "Assembly Member to Watch" in December 2008. Davies was re-elected as AM for South Wales Central at the 2011 Welsh Assembly election . A leadership election was held after Nick Bourne lost his seat at that election. RT Davies contested this leadership election, and
2091-487: The same Act. The principal areas of Wales are divided entirely into communities. Unlike in England, where unparished areas exist, no part of Wales is outside a community, even in urban areas . Most, but not all, communities are administered by community councils , which are equivalent to English parish councils in terms of their powers and the way they operate. Welsh community councils may call themselves town councils unilaterally and may have city status granted by
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2142-551: The urban areas of the cities of Cardiff , Swansea and Newport do not have community councils. As of the 2001 United Kingdom census , there were 869 communities in Wales. 84 percent, or more than 730, have a council. They vary in size from Rhayader with an area of 13,945 hectares (34,460 acres) to Cefn Fforest with an area of 64 hectares (160 acres). They ranged in population from Barry with 45,053 recorded inhabitants to Baglan Bay with no permanent residents. The twenty-two principal area councils are required to review
2193-544: Was appointed as Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Group on 24 January 2021, following the resignation of Paul Davies , after a scandal involving possible breaches of Welsh COVID-19 regulations. He quickly appointed a Shadow Cabinet on the same day. This ceased to be the Shadow Cabinet on 29 March 2021, after Nick Ramsay left the Welsh Conservatives to contest the 2021 Senedd election as an independent. In
2244-554: Was appointed as Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Sustainability, and Rural Affairs by Paul Davies in September 2018. In the role RT Davies led criticism of Natural Resources Wales in November 2018, particularly around their selling of timber on a closed rather than open market. He proposed splitting NRW into two separate bodies, and described the "bloated and largely incompetent quango" body as "no longer fit for purpose". Plaid agriculture spokesman Llyr Gruffydd however stated
2295-630: Was educated at Llanfair Primary School, St John's Preparatory School, Porthcawl , and later boarded at Wycliffe College , Stroud . He is married to a qualified midwife and they have four children. He is a partner in the family farming business based in St Hilary near Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan . Davies was a Welsh delegate on the Council of the National Farmers Union (NFU) , vice-president of
2346-525: Was elected Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd on 14 July 2011, and resigned the position on 27 June 2018. He was re-appointed as Welsh Conservative leader on 24 January 2021, following the resignation of Paul Davies . In this capacity, he has served as Leader of the Opposition in Wales in four separate terms, holding the position from 2011 to 2016, 2017 to 2018, January to March 2021, and May 2021 to present. Andrew Robert Tudor Davies
2397-440: Was elected as Leader of the Welsh Conservative Group on 14 July 2011, having won 53.1 per cent of the vote, defeating Nick Ramsay . He then became Leader of the Opposition in Wales, as the Welsh Conservatives were the second largest party, and appointed his Shadow Cabinet. In February 2014, Davies removed four ministers; Nick Ramsay , Antoinette Sandbach , Mohammad Asghar and Janet Finch-Saunders , from his cabinet over
2448-478: Was elected to the National Assembly of Wales on the South Wales Central regional list. He was appointed Shadow Minister for Transport by Nick Bourne . During his time as Shadow Transport Minister he supported protests from Welsh hauliers over the cost of fuel. On 16 June 2008 he was reshuffled to the role of Shadow Minister for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills. While in this role, he supported
2499-434: Was no non-halal meat options at their child's school. He had further written to Vale of Glamorgan Council , who were responsible for the school. The school later confirmed that Davies assertion that only halal meat options were available was false, and that non-halal meat options were available, and Vale of Glamorgan Council Leader Lis Burnett stated that Davies had publicly published the letter 5 minutes after sending it to
2550-521: Was reported that he would face a confidence vote in the Welsh Conservative group meeting on Tuesday 3 December. Davies was elected as a County Councillor for Rhoose in a by-election on 14 February 2019, and claimed a basic councillor allowance of £13,868 before expenses, alongside his salary as a Senedd Member. He did not contest the 2022 local elections. During the Brexit referendum campaign , Davies suggested Wales would be better off financially outside
2601-442: Was viewed by some in the media as sparked by Davies' "inflammatory remarks" towards Airbus. Sources close to Davies however spoke to the media and stated they felt he had been victim of "a plot to get rid of him for "seven or eight weeks" dating back to his controversial "decision to back a Leave vote in the 2016 Brexit referendum" which came against the wishes of then Prime Minister David Cameron , who had backed Remain. RT Davies
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