By Jonathan Isaby
Nick Bourne, leader of the Conservatives in the Welsh Assembly, has conducted a mini-reshuffle of his frontbench.
David Melding has stepped down as Shadow Minister for Economy and Transport in order to expand on the detailed work he is doing on the party’s manifesto for next year's Welsh Assembly election.
Darren Millar takes on the Economy and Transport portfolio in his place, whilst he is replaced as Local Government spokesman by Jonathan Morgan, who makes a return to Nick Bourne's Shadow Cabinet.
Menawhile, William Graham returns to the frontbenches as Shadow Minister for Regeneration as Mohammad (Oscar) Asghar takes on the Heritage portfolio, while retaining responsibility for Equalities.
Nick Bourne said of the changes:
“As we get closer to the Assembly election, the group has agreed that we should take the opportunity to allow David Melding to expand his work on the party’s manifesto. I want to take this opportunity to thank David for his very hard work as Shadow Minister for Economy and Transport. As ever, he continues to be an integral part of our team. Similarly, I am very pleased to be able to welcome Darren to this important role and to have Jonathan back in the Shadow Cabinet as well. I know both are approaching their portfolios with the same kind of enthusiasm and vigour that all Welsh Conservative Assembly Members display on a daily basis.”
“It is a great pleasure to be able to welcome William back into the Shadow Cabinet. He is a hard-working Assembly Member and I know he will approach this new portfolio with great passion. Similarly, Oscar is an ideal choice to take on Heritage and will continue to make a very able Shadow Minister. Today’s changes clearly demonstrate that the Welsh Conservatives are a united team ready to fight for Welsh interests in the Assembly elections.”
