Key interests and
achievements
Paul is vocal supporter of
safeguarding local hospital services and is actively working with campaign
groups to protect services at Withybush and Bronglais hospitals in west Wales.
He is also 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.
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. At the
Assembly’s 2011 elections, Paul was re-elected and increased his share of the
vote to 42.4%. 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 and in September 2018, he 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 re-elected with a majority of 1,400 and he
was re-elected again in 2026 in the new constituency of Ceredigion Penfro.
