Tory candidate Andrew RT Davies 'to stand up to Labour'

A candidate hoping to lead the Conservatives in the Welsh assembly says he would reach out to other parties to put the Tories into office.

Andrew RT Davies said his party could not rest on its laurels or "retreat into isolation" after a successful election in May.

Mr Davies said he was the man to stand up to Welsh Labour leader and First Minister Carwyn Jones.

The south Wales central AM is up against Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay.

The contest comes after previous leader Nick Bourne lost his seat at May's election.

In a manifesto published on Tuesday, Mr Davies said he would forge links with other parties to form an opposition bloc against Labour and create a "genuine prospect of a Welsh Conservative-led government in the not too distant future".

"We must be constructive, inclusive and willing to engage in discussion with other parties along the way," he said.

He added: "The National Assembly needs a leader of the opposition with a strong voice who can stand up to the first minister in the Senedd."

He promised to listen to party members and to act to as a "safe custodian" of Conservative values in Cardiff Bay.

The Welsh Tories would hold firm to the centre-right ground under his leadership, he said.

His manifesto - which shows him photographed with his wife, four children and dog - emphasises his experience as a businessman and family man.

Launching his campaign last week, Mr Ramsay said single parents in the south Wales valleys were an example of groups in society whose support the party needed to win.