The Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Assembly has appointed Suzy Davies as the group’s new policy director.
The South Wales West Assembly Member replaces David Melding, who held the position for almost ten years.
Mr Melding, now the National Assembly’s Deputy Presiding Officer, wrote the Welsh Conservatives’ manifestos for the 2003, 2007 and 2011 Assembly elections.
Mrs Davies is Shadow Minister for Welsh Language and Culture and will retain that portfolio.
She has a background in marketing, management and law and has also been a trustee of a number of children’s projects and volunteered with community support groups.
Group Leader Andrew RT Davies AM said:
“I am very pleased to be able to announce Suzy as the group’s new policy director. She has proved herself to be an excellent Assembly Member and I know she will be exceptional in this role.
“David has made a huge contribution to our vast successes over the last decade and I am sure the rest of the group will join me in thanking him wholeheartedly for everything he has done. I know he will continue to work incredibly hard in both his positions.
“Welsh Conservatives have begun 2012 with an incredibly strong team within the Assembly. We are on the side of families and individuals the length and breadth of Wales and we will continue to fight for them endlessly with the strongest voice possible.”
Mrs Davies said:
“Welsh Conservatives have made great strides at every level in the last ten years and I look forward to taking the reins of this position at what is a very important time. Welsh Conservatives are the only party of genuine localism. We are the only party committed to empowering people and the communities they live in. These are the values that we will continue to strive for.
“With the right vision and the right policies Wales can weather the economic storm, improve its health service and better its education system. Currently, all Labour provides is sluggish progress and awkward U-turns.
“The King’s Fund and Wales Audit Office have confirmed the Welsh NHS faces the toughest funding settlement of the UK’s health services. Now the British Medical Association has criticised Labour’s ‘slash and burn’ cuts. Welsh Conservatives are the only party committed to protecting the health budget in line with inflation.
“Still we see no real progress on the implementation of enterprise zones and this week the education minister announced a temporary end to the primary school banding system he had previously championed.”
South Wales Central Assembly Member David Melding said:
“Suzy has already proved she has an excellent grasp of her portfolio and is an incredibly hard-working Assembly Member.
“I am very pleased to hand this mantle to her and wish her the very best in this role for the years ahead.”
