Key interests and achievements
Paul is a prolific campaigner for the autism community in
Wales and brought forward draft legislation on an Autism Act for Wales, which
whilst wasn’t passed by the Senedd, resulted in significant statutory changes
to autism provision in Wales. Paul is also the leading figure of the campaign
to better preserve and protect War Memorials in Wales and regularly raises this
issue in the Senedd Chamber.
Personal history
Paul was born in 1969 and grew up in Pontsian just outside
Llandysul in the County of Ceredigion. He attended Tregroes Primary School,
Llandysul Grammar School and after studying his A Levels at Newcastle Emlyn
Comprehensive School, he joined Lloyds Bank in 1987.
Professional background
Prior to being elected, Paul continued to be employed by
Lloyds Bank and his last role with the company was as a Business Manager based
in Haverfordwest helping to support small businesses.
Political history
In February 2000, Paul fought the Ceredigion Parliamentary
by-election and improved the Welsh Conservative Party's position from fifth
place in the previous election to third. He also stood in the 2001 general
election as the Parliamentary candidate for Ceredigion. In 2003, Paul stood for
the Welsh Conservatives in Preseli Pembrokeshire at the Assembly election and
increased his party’s share of the vote from 23% to 30%. In May 2007, Paul was
elected as the Welsh Conservative Assembly Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire,
with 38.6% of the vote and a majority of 3,205. Following the election, Paul
was appointed Shadow Minister for Culture, the Welsh Language and Sport and
later appointed Shadow Minister for Education and the Welsh Language. At the
Assembly’s 2011 elections, Paul was re-elected and increased his share of the
vote to 42.4%. He was appointed as Interim Leader of the Welsh Conservative
Assembly Group and later appointed Deputy Leader of the Welsh Conservative
Assembly Group and Shadow Minister for Finance. In 2016, Paul was re-elected,
increasing his majority to 3,930. He continued as Deputy Leader of the Welsh
Conservative Group, Business Manager and Chief Whip as well as becoming the
Welsh Conservative spokesperson on Rural Affairs. In September 2018, Paul was
elected as the Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, a position he
held until 2021. At the Senedd elections in 2021, Paul was again re-elected
with a majority of 1,400.
Register of Interests
Register
of Interests – Fifth Senedd (PDF, 3.25MB)
Register
of Interests – Fourth Assembly (PDF, 850kb)
Register
of Interests – Third Assembly (PDF, 490kb)
