In a recent interview, a top Conservative shadow minister, Chris Philp, found himself in a bit of a bind when he couldn’t recall the name of the Welsh Tory leader—not once, but five times! The name Darren Millar, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, eluded Philp while discussing the unexpected results of the Caerphilly by-election.
The by-election saw Lindsay Whittle of Plaid Cymru claim victory with an impressive 47% of the vote, amidst a record turnout. Meanwhile, the Conservatives and Labour faced sharp declines, capturing only 2% and 11% of the votes, respectively. Reform UK made a surprising appearance in second place with 36%.
Philp described the results as “disappointing” for the Conservatives, echoing sentiments from Prime Minister Keir Starmer about Labour’s performance. Despite the setbacks, Philp emphasised a renewed effort from the Conservatives, suggesting the recent party conference marked a turning point with fresh policies targeting recovery and renewal.
During the interview on GB News, journalist Christopher Hope tested Philp’s familiarity with party leadership by asking multiple times about the Welsh Tory leader. After several attempts, Philp conceded he didn’t know, leading Hope to remind him, “He’s called Darren Millar.”
For those of you following Welsh politics closely, Darren Millar has been a significant figure since his election to the Welsh Parliament in 2007. Yet, his recent appointment as leader in December appears to have escaped notice in certain circles!
Stay tuned as both major parties regroup after this election upset, which undeniably sparked discussions on their future strategies. What’s your take on the Caerphilly shakeup? Share your thoughts below!