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| alt =
| alt =
| caption = Official portrait, 2021
| caption = Official portrait, 2021
|office = [[Leader of the Opposition (Wales)|Leader of the Opposition]]
⚫
| office = Shadow Minister for the Constitution and North Wales
| termstart = 27 May 2021
| termstart = 5 December 2024
| leader = [[Andrew RT Davies]]
| monarch = [[Charles III]]
| firstminister = [[Eluned Morgan]]
⚫
| predecessor = [[Mark Isherwood (politician)|Mark Isherwood]] {{Small|North Wales}}
⚫
| predecessor = [[Andrew RT Davies]]
⚫
| office2 = [[Welsh Conservatives|Welsh Conservative]] Chief Whip
| office1 = Leader of the [[Welsh Conservatives|Welsh Conservative Group]] in the [[Senedd]]
⚫
| termstart2 = 27 May 2021
| termstart1 = 5 December 2024
⚫
| leader2 = [[Andrew RT Davies]]
| leader1 = [[Kemi Badenoch]]
⚫
| predecessor2 = [[Mark Isherwood (politician)|Mark Isherwood]]
| predecessor1 = Andrew RT Davies
⚫
| termstart3 = 18 September 2018
⚫
| termend3 = 23 January 2021
⚫
| leader3 = [[Paul Davies (Conservative politician)|Paul Davies]]
⚫
| predecessor3 = [[Paul Davies (Conservative politician)|Paul Davies]]
| successor3 = [[Mark Isherwood (politician)|Mark Isherwood]]
{{collapsed infobox section begin
{{collapsed infobox section begin
| Past Shadow Cabinet Roles
| Past Shadow Cabinet Roles
| titlestyle = border:1px dashed lightgrey }}
| titlestyle = border:1px dashed lightgrey }}
| office4 = Shadow Minister for External Affairs and International Relations
| office2 = Shadow Minister for the Constitution and North Wales
⚫
| termstart2 = 27 May 2021
| termend2 = 5 December 2024
| leader2 = [[Andrew RT Davies]]
⚫
| predecessor2 = [[Mark Isherwood (politician)|Mark Isherwood]] {{Small|North Wales}}
⚫
| office3 = [[Welsh Conservatives|Welsh Conservative]] Chief Whip
⚫
| termstart3 = 27 May 2021
| termend3 = 5 December 2024
| leader3 = [[Andrew RT Davies]]
⚫
| predecessor3 = [[Mark Isherwood (politician)|Mark Isherwood]]
| termstart4 = 18 September 2018
| termstart4 = 18 September 2018
| termend4 = 23 January 2021
| termend4 = 23 January 2021
| leader4 = [[Paul Davies (Conservative politician)|Paul Davies]]
| leader4 = [[Paul Davies (Conservative politician)|Paul Davies]]
⚫
| predecessor4 = [[Paul Davies (Conservative politician)|Paul Davies]]
⚫
| office5 = Shadow Minister for Education
| leader5 = [[Andrew RT Davies]] <br> [[Paul Davies (Conservative politician)|Paul Davies]] {{Small|Interim}}
| successor4 = [[Mark Isherwood (politician)|Mark Isherwood]]
⚫
| office5 = Shadow Minister for External Affairs and International Relations
⚫
| termstart5 = 6 April 2017
| termend5 = 18 September 2018
| termstart5 = 18 September 2018
| predecessor5 = [[Angela Burns]]
| termend5 = 23 January 2021
| successor5 = [[Suzy Davies]]
| leader5 = [[Paul Davies (Conservative politician)|Paul Davies]]
| office6 = Shadow Minister for Health
| office6 = Shadow Minister for Education
⚫
| leader6 = [[Andrew RT Davies]] <br> [[Paul Davies (Conservative politician)|Paul Davies]] {{Small|Interim}}
| termstart6 = 18 May 2011
| termend6 = 5 May 2016
| termstart6 = 6 April 2017
⚫
| termend6 = 18 September 2018
⚫
| leader6 = [[Paul Davies (Conservative politician)|Paul Davies]] {{Small|Interim}} <br> [[Andrew RT Davies]]
| predecessor6 = [[Nick Ramsay]]
| predecessor6 = [[Angela Burns]]
| successor6 = [[Rhun ap Iorwerth]]
| successor6 = [[Suzy Davies]]
| office7 = Shadow Minister for Economy and Transport
| office7 = Shadow Minister for Health
| termstart7 = 26 November 2010
| termstart7 = 18 May 2011
| termend7 = 18 May 2011
| termend7 = 5 May 2016
| leader7 = [[Nick Bourne]]
| leader7 = [[Paul Davies (Conservative politician)|Paul Davies]] {{Small|Interim}} <br> [[Andrew RT Davies]]
| predecessor7 = [[David Melding]]
| predecessor7 = [[Nick Ramsay]]
| successor7 = [[Nick Ramsay]] {{Small|Economy}} <br> [[Byron Davies, Baron Davies of Gower|Byron Davies]] {{Small|Transport}}
| successor7 = [[Rhun ap Iorwerth]]
| office8 = Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government
| office8 = Shadow Minister for Economy and Transport
| termstart8 = 27 February 2009
| termstart8 = 26 November 2010
| termend8 = 26 November 2010
| termend8 = 18 May 2011
| leader8 = [[Nick Bourne]]
| leader8 = [[Nick Bourne]]
| predecessor8 = [[Nick Ramsay]]
| predecessor8 = [[David Melding]]
| successor8 = [[Jonathan Morgan (politician)|Jonathan Morgan]]
| successor8 = [[Nick Ramsay]] {{Small|Economy}} <br> [[Byron Davies, Baron Davies of Gower|Byron Davies]] {{Small|Transport}}
| office9 = Shadow Minister for the Environment and Planning
| office9 = Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government
| termstart9 = 29 June 2007
| termstart9 = 27 February 2009
| termend9 = 27 February 2009
| termend9 = 26 November 2010
| leader9 = [[Nick Bourne]]
| leader9 = [[Nick Bourne]]
| predecessor9 = [[Glyn Davies (politician)|Glyn Davies]]
| predecessor9 = [[Nick Ramsay]]
| successor9 = [[Angela Burns]]
| successor9 = [[Jonathan Morgan (politician)|Jonathan Morgan]]
⚫
| office10 = Shadow Minister for the Environment and Planning
⚫
| termstart10 = 29 June 2007
| termend10 = 27 February 2009
| leader10 = [[Nick Bourne]]
⚫
| predecessor10 = [[Glyn Davies (politician)|Glyn Davies]]
| successor10 = [[Angela Burns]]
{{collapsed infobox section end}}
{{collapsed infobox section end}}
| office10 = [[Member of the Senedd]] <br /> for [[Clwyd West (Senedd constituency)|Clwyd West]]
| office11 = [[Member of the Senedd]] <br /> for [[Clwyd West (Senedd constituency)|Clwyd West]]
| majority10 = 3,685 (13.0%)
| majority11 = 3,685 (13.0%)
| term_start10 = 3 May 2007
| term_start11 = 3 May 2007
| term_end10 =
| term_end11 =
| predecessor10 = [[Alun Pugh]]
| predecessor11 = [[Alun Pugh]]
| successor10 =
| successor11 =
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1976}}
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1976}}
| birth_place =
| birth_place =
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}}
}}


'''Darren David Millar''' (born 1976) is a [[Welsh Conservatives|Welsh Conservative]] politician who has served as the [[Member of the Senedd]] (MS) for [[Clwyd West (Senedd constituency)|Clwyd West]] since [[2007 National Assembly for Wales election|2007]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.darrenmillaram.com/|title=Darren Millar AM {{!}} Working for Clwyd West|website=www.darrenmillaram.com|access-date=10 January 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113002005/https://www.darrenmillaram.com/|archive-date=13 January 2017}}</ref>
'''Darren David Millar''' (born 1976) is a [[Welsh Conservatives|Welsh Conservative]] politician who has served as the Leader of the [[Welsh Conservatives]] since December 2024<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2024-12-05 |title=Darren Millar elected Welsh Tory leader unopposed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czr3mdvzl8ro |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>, and [[Member of the Senedd]] (MS) for [[Clwyd West (Senedd constituency)|Clwyd West]] since [[2007 National Assembly for Wales election|2007]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.darrenmillaram.com/|title=Darren Millar AM {{!}} Working for Clwyd West|website=www.darrenmillaram.com|access-date=10 January 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113002005/https://www.darrenmillaram.com/|archive-date=13 January 2017}}</ref>
==Background==
==Background==
Millar lives in the [[Kinmel Bay]] area with his wife and two children. He enjoys reading and history, and attends Festival Church.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Darren |url=https://www.darrenmillar.wales/about-darren |access-date=2021-10-29 |website=www.darrenmillar.wales}}</ref> He has been a citizen of both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland for decades.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AM meets Irish Ambassador |url=https://www.darrenmillar.wales/news/am-meets-irish-ambassador |website=Darren Millar MS |access-date=31 October 2021 |archive-date=31 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031210210/https://www.darrenmillar.wales/news/am-meets-irish-ambassador |url-status=live }}</ref>
Millar lives in the [[Kinmel Bay]] area with his wife and two children. He enjoys reading and history, and is a christian,<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Mulholland |first=Hélène |date=2007-04-27 |title=Cameron opens door to race-row shadow minister |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2007/apr/27/conservatives.race |access-date=2024-12-04 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Bodden |first=Tom |date=2007-04-28 |title=Did Tory say being gay was sinful? |url=https://advance.lexis.com/enwiki/api/permalink/704585f7-f6ea-4319-a28c-6daa49c6a39a/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-12-04 |work=[[North Wales Daily Post]] |pages=2 |via=[[Nexis]]}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Davies |first=Daniel |date=2007-04-27 |title=Tories dispute 'gay sin' comments |url=https://advance.lexis.com/enwiki/api/permalink/88b91201-72a8-4506-8771-df820854e1b5/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-12-04 |work=[[Press Association]] |via=[[Nexis]]}}</ref> attending Festival Church.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Darren |url=https://www.darrenmillar.wales/about-darren |access-date=2021-10-29 |website=www.darrenmillar.wales}}</ref> He has been a citizen of both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland for decades.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AM meets Irish Ambassador |url=https://www.darrenmillar.wales/news/am-meets-irish-ambassador |website=Darren Millar MS |access-date=31 October 2021 |archive-date=31 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031210210/https://www.darrenmillar.wales/news/am-meets-irish-ambassador |url-status=live }}</ref>


He is a christian.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Mulholland |first=Hélène |date=2007-04-27 |title=Cameron opens door to race-row shadow minister |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2007/apr/27/conservatives.race |access-date=2024-12-04 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Bodden |first=Tom |date=2007-04-28 |title=Did Tory say being gay was sinful? |url=https://advance.lexis.com/enwiki/api/permalink/704585f7-f6ea-4319-a28c-6daa49c6a39a/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-12-04 |work=[[North Wales Daily Post]] |pages=2 |via=[[Nexis]]}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Davies |first=Daniel |date=2007-04-27 |title=Tories dispute 'gay sin' comments |url=https://advance.lexis.com/enwiki/api/permalink/88b91201-72a8-4506-8771-df820854e1b5/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-12-04 |work=[[Press Association]] |via=[[Nexis]]}}</ref>
==Political career==
==Political career==
Millar joined Clwyd North Conservative Association at age 15, and shortly after became chairman.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2003-04-18 |title=The Nation Decides: Assembly Elections 2003 |url=https://advance.lexis.com/enwiki/api/permalink/205ebb26-e9ca-47bf-8afa-35bd2ce5518c/?context=1519360&federationidp=M9JDTX59593 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-12-04 |work=[[North Wales Daily Post]] |pages=9 |via=[[Nexis]]}}</ref>
Millar joined Clwyd North Conservative Association at age 15, and shortly after became chairman.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2003-04-18 |title=The Nation Decides: Assembly Elections 2003 |url=https://advance.lexis.com/enwiki/api/permalink/205ebb26-e9ca-47bf-8afa-35bd2ce5518c/?context=1519360&federationidp=M9JDTX59593 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-12-04 |work=[[North Wales Daily Post]] |pages=9 |via=[[Nexis]]}}</ref>
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In the [[2003 National Assembly for Wales election|2003 Senedd election]], at age 25,<ref name=":4" /> he stood unsuccessfully as the Conservative candidate for the [[Vale of Clwyd (Senedd constituency)|Vale of Clwyd]].
In the [[2003 National Assembly for Wales election|2003 Senedd election]], at age 25,<ref name=":4" /> he stood unsuccessfully as the Conservative candidate for the [[Vale of Clwyd (Senedd constituency)|Vale of Clwyd]].


Millar was re-elected in the [[2011 National Assembly for Wales election|2011]], [[2016 National Assembly for Wales election|2016]] and [[2021 Senedd election|2021]] elections.
Millar was first elected to represent [[Clwyd West (Senedd constituency)|Clwyd West]] in [[2007 National Assembly for Wales election|2007]], and was re-elected in the [[2011 National Assembly for Wales election|2011]], [[2016 National Assembly for Wales election|2016]] and [[2021 Senedd election|2021]] elections.


==== Third Senedd ====
==== Third Senedd ====
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In 2024, Millar tabled a non-binding motion of no confidence in First Minister [[Vaughan Gething]], over donations made during the [[February–March 2024 Welsh Labour leadership election|2024 Welsh Labour leadership election]] and the sacking of former [[Minister for Social Partnership|Social Partnership]] Minister [[Hannah Blythyn]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Motion - NDM8593 |url=https://record.senedd.wales/Motion/8593 |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=Welsh Parliament |language=en |archive-date=2 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202202107/https://record.senedd.wales/Motion/8593 |url-status=live }}</ref> The motion passed 29-27. Gething described the motion as a 'gimmick' and said he would remain as First Minister.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-05 |title=Vaughan Gething won't quit after losing vote of no confidence |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1vvqq1pp12o |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In 2024, Millar tabled a non-binding motion of no confidence in First Minister [[Vaughan Gething]], over donations made during the [[February–March 2024 Welsh Labour leadership election|2024 Welsh Labour leadership election]] and the sacking of former [[Minister for Social Partnership|Social Partnership]] Minister [[Hannah Blythyn]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Motion - NDM8593 |url=https://record.senedd.wales/Motion/8593 |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=Welsh Parliament |language=en |archive-date=2 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202202107/https://record.senedd.wales/Motion/8593 |url-status=live }}</ref> The motion passed 29-27. Gething described the motion as a 'gimmick' and said he would remain as First Minister.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-05 |title=Vaughan Gething won't quit after losing vote of no confidence |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1vvqq1pp12o |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>


=== Leadership of the Welsh Conservatives ===
=== 2024 Welsh Conservative leadership campaign ===
After [[Andrew RT Davies]] resigned as leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Millar put out a statement saying he would run to lead the party.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |last=Deans |first=David |date=2024-12-03 |title=Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies resigns |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp8nmn4n01no |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> He quickly obtained the support of six of his colleagues, [[Paul Davies (Conservative politician)|Paul Davies]], [[Russell George (Welsh politician)|Russell George]], [[Tom Giffard]], [[James Evans (Welsh politician)|James Evans]], [[Altaf Hussain (Welsh politician)|Altaf Hussain]] and [[Gareth Davies (Welsh politician)|Gareth Davies]] within 24 hours,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Browne |first=Adrian |last2=Deans |first2=David |date=2024-12-04 |title=Tory plots to oust me since April, says Davies |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5ygj84xnqxo |access-date=2024-12-04 |work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> and the whole group within 48 hours.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-05 |title=Darren Millar expected to be confirmed as new Welsh Tory leader |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czr3mdvzl8ro |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-12-05 |title=Darren Millar set to become new leader of the Senedd Tories |url=https://nation.cymru/news/darren-millar-set-to-become-new-leader-of-the-senedd-tories/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |work=[[Nation.Cymru]]}}</ref>
After [[Andrew RT Davies]] resigned as leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Millar put out a statement saying he would run to lead the party.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |last=Deans |first=David |date=2024-12-03 |title=Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies resigns |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp8nmn4n01no |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> He quickly obtained the support of six of his colleagues, [[Paul Davies (Conservative politician)|Paul Davies]], [[Russell George (Welsh politician)|Russell George]], [[Tom Giffard]], [[James Evans (Welsh politician)|James Evans]], [[Altaf Hussain (Welsh politician)|Altaf Hussain]] and [[Gareth Davies (Welsh politician)|Gareth Davies]] within 24 hours,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Browne |first=Adrian |last2=Deans |first2=David |date=2024-12-04 |title=Tory plots to oust me since April, says Davies |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5ygj84xnqxo |access-date=2024-12-04 |work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> and the whole group within 48 hours.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-12-05 |title=Darren Millar set to become new leader of the Senedd Tories |url=https://nation.cymru/news/darren-millar-set-to-become-new-leader-of-the-senedd-tories/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |work=[[Nation.Cymru]]}}</ref>


== Political Views ==
== Political Views ==

Revision as of 17:03, 5 December 2024

For similarly named people, see Darren Miller (disambiguation).

Darren Millar
MS
Official portrait, 2021
Leader of the Opposition
Incumbent
Assumed office
5 December 2024
MonarchCharles III
First MinisterEluned Morgan
Preceded byAndrew RT Davies
Leader of the Welsh Conservative Group in the Senedd
Incumbent
Assumed office
5 December 2024
LeaderKemi Badenoch
Preceded byAndrew RT Davies
Past Shadow Cabinet Roles
Shadow Minister for the Constitution and North Wales
In office
27 May 2021 – 5 December 2024
LeaderAndrew RT Davies
Preceded byMark Isherwood North Wales
Welsh Conservative Chief Whip
In office
27 May 2021 – 5 December 2024
LeaderAndrew RT Davies
Preceded byMark Isherwood
In office
18 September 2018 – 23 January 2021
LeaderPaul Davies
Preceded byPaul Davies
Succeeded byMark Isherwood
Shadow Minister for External Affairs and International Relations
In office
18 September 2018 – 23 January 2021
LeaderPaul Davies
Shadow Minister for Education
In office
6 April 2017 – 18 September 2018
LeaderAndrew RT Davies
Paul Davies Interim
Preceded byAngela Burns
Succeeded bySuzy Davies
Shadow Minister for Health
In office
18 May 2011 – 5 May 2016
LeaderPaul Davies Interim
Andrew RT Davies
Preceded byNick Ramsay
Succeeded byRhun ap Iorwerth
Shadow Minister for Economy and Transport
In office
26 November 2010 – 18 May 2011
LeaderNick Bourne
Preceded byDavid Melding
Succeeded byNick Ramsay Economy
Byron Davies Transport
Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government
In office
27 February 2009 – 26 November 2010
LeaderNick Bourne
Preceded byNick Ramsay
Succeeded byJonathan Morgan
Shadow Minister for the Environment and Planning
In office
29 June 2007 – 27 February 2009
LeaderNick Bourne
Preceded byGlyn Davies
Succeeded byAngela Burns
Member of the Senedd
for Clwyd West
Incumbent
Assumed office
3 May 2007
Preceded byAlun Pugh
Majority3,685 (13.0%)
Personal details
Born1976 (age 47–48)
NationalityBritish, Irish[1]
Political partyWelsh Conservatives
Residence(s)Kinmel Bay, Conwy, Wales
Websitewww.darrenmillar.wales

Darren David Millar (born 1976) is a Welsh Conservative politician who has served as the Leader of the Welsh Conservatives since December 2024[2], and Member of the Senedd (MS) for Clwyd West since 2007.[3]

Background

Millar lives in the Kinmel Bay area with his wife and two children. He enjoys reading and history, and is a christian,[4][5][6] attending Festival Church.[7] He has been a citizen of both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland for decades.[8]

Political career

Millar joined Clwyd North Conservative Association at age 15, and shortly after became chairman.[9]

Local Government

In 1999, Millar ran for the Towyn ward on Conwy County Borough Council, and for Towyn and Kinmel Bay town council.[10] He was not elected to the county council,[11] but was elected to the town council.[12] From 2000 to 2001, Millar was mayor of the township of Towyn and Kinmel Bay.[13][14] He was also a member of Conwy County Borough Council from 2004, the North Wales Police Authority and the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.[13]

In 2005, he was the sole dissenter to a budget that saw an increase of 5% in the policing budget, and therefore an increase in local council tax.[15]

In 2006, while a member of Conwy Council, Millar was referred to the standards watchdog, after complaints from the Unite, Unison and GMB trade unions about comments he made alleging that staff were abusing or misusing the sick pay system.[16]

Senedd

In the 2003 Senedd election, at age 25,[14] he stood unsuccessfully as the Conservative candidate for the Vale of Clwyd.

Millar was first elected to represent Clwyd West in 2007, and was re-elected in the 2011, 2016 and 2021 elections.

Third Senedd

In 2006, Millar was selected to contest the Clwyd West seat. During a hustings in April of 2007, Millar allegedly described homosexuality as a sin,[4][5] and stated he believed that creationism should be taught in science lessons.[6] Millar alleged that he had been misrepresented, and stated that he did not believe anyone should be discriminated against on the basis of sexuality, and stated that "school governors, parents and teachers should have flexibility in their curriculum".[6][17] He was successfully elected to the Clwyd West seat, unseating the incumbent Labour MS, Alun Pugh.[18] Pugh was the only Cabinet Minister to be defeated in the election.[19]

After his election to the Senedd in 2007, Millar was appointed Shadow Minister for Environment and Planning by Nick Bourne.[20] While in this role he campaigned for targets to reduce emissions,[21] supported the banning of single-use plastic bags,[22] and was supportive of investment in biofuels.[23] He also initially said that fear of flooding must not prevent construction on floodplains, but that "you've also got to look at strengthening our flood defences",[24] but later supported a ban on building on floodplains,[25] and a substantial increase in spending on flood defences.

He was critical of the Welsh Government's provision of free prescriptions, saying it would lead to prescription tourism, and that he was aware of caravan owners who registered with GPs in his constituency to avoid paying charges.[26]

He served in this role until February 2009, when he was moved to be Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government.[27] In November 2010, he was appointed Shadow Minister for Economy and Transport.[28][29]

Fourth and Fifth Senedds

After his re-election in 2011, he was appointed Shadow Minister for Health by interim leader Paul Davies.[30][31] He retained this role after Andrew RT Davies was elected leader and formalised the interim Shadow Cabinet, and throughout the remainder of the term.[32] After the 2016 Senedd elections, Millar was appointed Welsh Conservative education spokesperson, as Plaid Cymru became the Official Opposition.[33] In April 2017, he became Shadow Minister for Education, as the Welsh Conservatives returned to opposition.[34]

Millar was discussed as a candidate to replace Andrew RT Davies at the 2018 Welsh Conservatives leadership election, but he did not contest the election.[35] After Paul Davies was elected as leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Millar was appointed as Welsh Conservative Chief Whip, Welsh Conservative Policy Director, and Shadow Cabinet Secretary for External Affairs and International Relations.[36]

COVID-19 regulations investigation

In January 2021 the Senedd Commission investigated Millar for an alleged breach of COVID-19 regulations.[37] He resigned from his frontbench roles on 23 January 2021 after the leader Paul Davies resigned on the same day.[38] Both Millar and Davies were later cleared of any wrongdoing by South Wales Police, Cardiff City Council, the Senedd Commission and the Senedd Standards of Conduct Committee. In April 2022 a report published by the Senedd Standards Committee found that no laws or standards of conduct had been breached.[39]

Sixth Senedd

He returned to the role of Chief Whip in May 2021, after the 2021 Senedd election, alongside a role as Shadow Minister for the Constitution and North Wales.[40]

Millar has been drawn to table a Members' Bill on three occasions.

In November 2023, he was selected as the Conservative Party prospective parliamentary candidate for the new constituency of Clwyd North at the 2024 general election.[41] He came second, losing to the Labour candidate by 1,196 votes.[42]

In 2024, Millar tabled a non-binding motion of no confidence in First Minister Vaughan Gething, over donations made during the 2024 Welsh Labour leadership election and the sacking of former Social Partnership Minister Hannah Blythyn.[43] The motion passed 29-27. Gething described the motion as a 'gimmick' and said he would remain as First Minister.[44]

Leadership of the Welsh Conservatives

After Andrew RT Davies resigned as leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Millar put out a statement saying he would run to lead the party.[45] He quickly obtained the support of six of his colleagues, Paul Davies, Russell George, Tom Giffard, James Evans, Altaf Hussain and Gareth Davies within 24 hours,[46] and the whole group within 48 hours.[2][47]

Political Views

Brexit

He was one of four then-sitting Conservative MSs (along with Andrew RT Davies, Janet Finch-Saunders and Mark Isherwood) to vote for Brexit in the 2016 Brexit referendum.[48][49][50]

References

  1. ^ "Brexit-backing Tory MS reveals he has Irish citizenship". Nation.Cymru. 29 September 2021. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Darren Millar elected Welsh Tory leader unopposed". BBC News. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  3. ^ "Darren Millar AM | Working for Clwyd West". www.darrenmillaram.com. Archived from the original on 13 January 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  4. ^ a b Mulholland, Hélène (27 April 2007). "Cameron opens door to race-row shadow minister". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  5. ^ a b Bodden, Tom (28 April 2007). "Did Tory say being gay was sinful?". North Wales Daily Post. p. 2. Retrieved 4 December 2024 – via Nexis.
  6. ^ a b c Davies, Daniel (27 April 2007). "Tories dispute 'gay sin' comments". Press Association. Retrieved 4 December 2024 – via Nexis.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Darren Millar.
Senedd
Preceded by Member of the Senedd for Clwyd West
2007–present 		Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
Elin Jones
 Shadow Minister for the Environment
June 2007 – Feb 2009 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Nick Ramsay
 Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government
Feb 2007 – Nov 2010 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
David Melding
 Shadow Minister for Economy and Transport
Nov 2010– May 2011 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
 Shadow Minister for Health
May 2011– July 2011 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
 Shadow Minister for Health & Social Services
July 2011–2016 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Darren_Millar&oldid=1261352639"