Commenting on Nick Bourne (pictured), Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the National Assembly, losing his Assembly seat due to constituency gains in Mid & West Wales, Catrin Edwards, Chairman of the Welsh Conservative Party, said:
“I am sorry that the Welsh Conservative Party lost a respected colleague and close friend in the Assembly in Nick Bourne.
“Nick has led our party to stunning successes, from securing a position in a potential non-Labour government to beating Labour in the 2009 European elections, Nick Bourne has been a key figure in the party’s development.
“Under Nick’s leadership, the Welsh Conservatives have grown from strength to strength and after three Assembly elections remain the only party to have advanced at every poll.
“The party’s success culminated in this election, which saw the Welsh Conservatives gain two seats and overtake Plaid Cymru to become the second largest party.
“Ultimately, Nick was a victim of his success. His direction, leadership and understanding of the needs of the people of Wales contributed to the success of the party in constituency contests.
“The way in which he guided the party through the early days of devolution and made the Welsh Conservative Party relevant to a modern, radical and bilingual Wales was critical to our success not only this week but over the first decade of devolution.”
