CLWYD WEST AM Darren Millar has ended speculation over a bid to become the next leader of the Welsh Conservatives seat by ruling himself out of the leadership race.
Mr Millar was tipped as one of the favourites to succeed former leader Nick Bourne, who lost his seat in the May 3rd election.
But the Clwyd West AM, who is now serving his second term as a regional AM, has distanced himself with the vacant position, instead offering his backing to Andrew RT Davies.
“I’ve decided that I’m not going to be in the running for the leadership.” Mr Millar said.
“I’ve had long discussions with my friends, my family and my colleagues, and I’ve decided that I won’t be running.
“I’m supporting Andrew RT Davies. He’s got the influence and the clout to get our Party’s message across.”
“I’ve got to know him over the last few years, and I would never run against Andrew.”
Mr Millar had refused to comment on speculation linking him to the leadership in the aftermath of the local elections, with bookmakers putting him as the second favourite for the role behind Mr Davies.
But despite ruling himself out of the upcoming leadership race, Mr Millar said that he would consider standing to be a future leader of the Welsh Conservative Party.
“I’m only 34, so there’s still time for met yet,” he said. “While I’m not running in this one, I’m certainly not ruling myself out of future races.”
“We’ve got a lot of work to do now. We’ve got the Local Development Plans in Conwy and Denbighshire and the ongoing concerns over out local health services, which are at the top of my priority list.”
The race now looks likely to be a contested between Mr Davies, who sits as the regional AM for South Wales Central, and Nick Ramsay, AM for Monmouth.