Cabinet: David TC Davies promoted to Welsh secretary
- Published
David TC Davies was a Cardiff Bay politician in the early years of Welsh devolution
Monmouth MP David TC Davies has been promoted to Welsh secretary by the new Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak.
Mr Davies, junior minister in the Wales Office since 2019, replaces Sir Robert Buckland, who has left the cabinet.
The Monmouth MP was first elected to parliament in 2005 and an assembly member from 1999 to 2007.
His appointment means the government avoids criticism for having an MP representing a seat in England as secretary of state for Wales.
Sir Robert, MP for South Swindon, announced he had asked to leave the government earlier on Tuesday, but had not been expected to stay in the job.
He initially backed Mr Sunak in the summer's Tory leadership contest before switching to supporting to Liz Truss.
Mr Davies, a Welsh speaker, was also an assistant government whip from February 2020 to July this year and chaired the Welsh Affairs Select Committee for nine years.
He previously worked for British Steel, his family's shipping company, served in the Territorial Army and as a Special Constable with British Transport Police.
Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies said he "will be invaluable in ensuring Wales is at the heart of the UK Government, especially drawing on his experience as an assembly member before becoming an MP".
"I know he will continue to be a superb champion for our country now around the cabinet table.
"David has been a good friend to many of us, including myself over many years."
Sir Robert Buckland has led the Wales Office since July
Sir Robert replaced Simon Hart as Welsh secretary in the summer, who has returned to government as the new chief whip.
Mr Hart, who takes over from Wendy Morton in the whips office, will be responsible for discipline in the party, ensuring the government wins votes in Commons, and for maintaining a good relationship with backbench MPs.
It is a particularly important post, after the chaotic scenes in parliament that culminated in the resignation of Ms Truss.
Mr Hart, who represents Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire at Westminster, quit the cabinet in July as part of successful efforts by ministers to force the then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson from office.
Sir Robert was kept on in the Wales Office when Ms Truss took over from Mr Johnson in September.
On Tuesday, Sir Robert said, external: "It has been an honour to serve as secretary of state for Wales and to have served four prime ministers as solicitor general, justice minister and lord chancellor.
"I am leaving the government at my request but will be supporting Rishi Sunak from the back benches."
What does the Welsh secretary do?
The Welsh secretary, or secretary of state for Wales, to use its formal title, leads the Wales Office, external which, since devolution began in 1999, has no direct role in the running of Welsh public services.
The department says it represents Wales' interests in the UK government and ensures devolution - the system which determines what powers lie in Cardiff - delivers for Wales.