PRESELI-Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies has claimed victory to become leader of the Conservatives in the Welsh Assembly.

Mr Davies beat south Wales west regional AM Suzy Davies in a head-to-head leadership contest.

The AM was already acting as interim leader of the Welsh Conservatives following the resignation of Andrew RT Davies in June.

Mr Davies will now lead the 12-strong group of Tory AMs in the Senedd.

Mr Davies' appointment has been welcomed by Conservative leaders in the UK government, including the Prime Minister Theresa May.

“I warmly congratulate Paul Davies on his election as Leader of the Conservatives in the Welsh Assembly, and look forward to working with him and the rest of our team as they hold Labour’s failing Welsh Government to account," said the Prime Minister.

“There has never been a more vital time to do this, and I know that Paul will do a fantastic job speaking up for the Welsh people.”

Alun Cairns MP, Secretary of State for Wales, said: “I’d like to extend my congratulations to Paul Davies, the new leader of Conservative Group in the Assembly and my commiserations to Suzy Davies who fought a great campaign across Wales.

“I have worked with Paul over many years and I am excited by the enthusiasm, ideas and close collaboration that he will bring to the role."

During his leadership bid, Mr Davies told the Western Telegraph he promised to put Pembrokeshire first.

“What I stand for is I want to empower people, I want to support business, without supporting business we don’t have the wealth to pay for our public services. 

“I stand for getting government off our backs and giving young people the best start in life, these are the priorities that actually motivate me in politics.

“Pembrokeshire will always be my priority whether I become leader or not; in the role of leader I can actually raise Pembrokeshire’s profile," adding: “In politics things change all the time but my job will be to hold the Labour government to account and to bring the strands of the Conservative party together, Team Wales, it’s absolutely essential, that must be our objective.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do, we’ve got to persuade the Welsh people that we have a credible alternative; we’ll have to wait and see after the Assembly elections what the numbers are.”

One of the many issues close to Paul’s heart is Hywel Dda Health Board’s proposed changes Withybush.

“I think it’s a disgrace to downgrade the hospital, it’s dangerous for the people of Pembrokeshire who already have to travel further afield for services.
“We’ve seen services being taken away from Withybush over the years, like the special care baby unit, orthodontics, and mental health services. 

“If they agree to build a new hospital what is going to happen in the meantime? Are they going to downgrade services in the meantime?”

UKIP saw Gareth Bennett take over as leader in August, while Plaid Cymru's Leanne Wood currently faces a leadership challenge from Rhun ap Iorwerth and Adam Price.

Carwyn Jones, the First Minister, is due to stand down in October, with a Welsh Labour leadership contest currently underway.