Andrew RT Davies has been named the new Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Assembly.
The declaration was made this afternoon, following a count of members' ballot papers at the SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff.
Two candidates stood for election to the position; Andrew RT Davies AM and Nick Ramsay AM.
Mr Davies gained 53 per cent of the vote.
Mr Ramsay gained 47 per cent of the vote.
Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Assembly, Andrew RT Davies AM, said:
"It is a great honour to lead our party and I am thrilled to be the leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Assembly.
"This has been a great contest for our party, bringing us together and providing a vehicle for us to debate and discuss ideas. I would like to thank our members for engaging so wholeheartedly with this process. I'd also like to thank Nick Bourne and our party workers, for their tireless efforts to further the party's fortunes in Wales.
"In particular, I'd like to pay tribute to Paul Davies and the excellent job he has done as interim leader. Paul has kept the momentum going since the elections and I hope to build on this in the coming months and years.
"Welsh Conservatives are at our best when united, working together as a force for Wales. We have a great task and a great opportunity ahead. Where there is consensus, we will work with the Welsh Government to best serve the interests of Wales. But where the government is reckless with the public purse, where they introduce legislation without due scrutiny, we will be there to make sure the voice of Wales is heard.
"Make no mistake, the Welsh Labour Government was not given an absolute mandate to govern in Wales in the elections in May. The Welsh Conservatives, under my leadership, will hold the Welsh Government to account, stand up for what we believe in and act as a positive force for that much needed change in Wales.
"As a party, we have developed immensely since the inauguration of the National Assembly. But now is not a time to rest on our laurels. We must forge ahead and show that we are the only credible alternative to Labour. We must work to earn the nation's trust and to show that we are the party that best represents the Welsh people.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Nick Ramsay. As I'm sure Nick would agree, the contest has invigorated our members and I will continue to engage with our members and the wider electorate over the months and years to come. Together with Nick, we have a superb team of talent both in terms of Assembly Members and staff that support us and together, we are ready to take the fight to Labour.
"I'd also like to thank my family for their unwavering support, without which I would not be here today. So thank you.
"As someone who is proud to be Welsh, proud to be British and proud to be a Welsh Conservative, it is with great pride and honour that I become the Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Assembly and I look forward to working with colleagues in the party, in local government, in the Assembly, in Westminster and in Europe, to build on our success and work towards delivering a fairer, more prosperous Wales."
Nick Ramsay AM said:
"I would first of all like to congratulate Andrew and wish him luck as our new group leader.
"We have fought a friendly and enjoyable campaign over the last couple of months and I hope that we will be able to continue to work closely to take the Welsh Conservative Group forward over the next Assembly term.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed the campaign and made many friends whilst listening to members' views throughout Wales. I would like to thank those members that placed their trust in me and gave me their support and I would like to pay tribute to my hard working and loyal campaign team who worked to the last minute yesterday to ensure that everyone who wished to vote for me was able to do so.
"Finally I would like to thank Nick Bourne who led our Assembly Group for the last 11 years, moving us forward at each Assembly Election. Nick will be a hard act to follow and I look forward to working closely with Andrew as our new leader to ensure that we meet these challenges."
Paul Davies AM served as Acting Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Assembly between May 7th and today's declaration. Following the announcement, he said:
"It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as Acting Leader. As we have established ourselves as the second largest party in the Assembly, the last two months have been an incredibly exciting time for our group.
"I want to thank all our Members for their help and support and I look forward to working with Andrew as he takes the group forward."
