Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies has undergone a remarkable change in tone in his social media output of late.
Always vocal on Twitter, I suggested in an opinion article that Mr Davies had taken a populist turn in terms of what he was putting out through his online platform. In the space of a month he tweeted more than 20 times about trans people. He has also begun regularly using phrases such as "slippery Starmer" and labelling Welsh Government ministers the "New Elite" which are "imposing their extreme woke ideology".
Observers on Twitter have labelled the change in tone "Trumpian" and this analysis of his social media conduct has suggested it risks making the Welsh Tories less electable and not more. But what do Tories in Wales actually think of their leader's behaviour? To try and find out, I spoke to several party supporters, members and insiders to guage their mood.
Read more: What is going on with the Twitter feed of Welsh Tory leader Andrew RT Davies?
The results were mixed and generally fell into two camps. One side were totally turned off by Mr Davies's rhetoric. They felt that he was hurting their chances in upcoming elections and wanted him to go. On the other side some were very supportive of the Welsh Tory leader being more assertive in his criticism of the Welsh Government's record. Let's break down what they said...
'Senior figures in the party are getting fed up with his embarrassing and erratic behaviour'
Though it is obvious that Mr Davies is not composing all his tweets personally, when WalesOnline challenged him about the content of his Twitter account he said he "stood by everything" that was posted. He said he made no apologies for "standing up for the interests of the Welsh people" and would continue to do so.
The most recent tweet that has angered many within his party, however, was when he was talking about the "New Elite".
One loyal party member told WalesOnline: "As a member, I no longer have faith in Andrew RT Davies as party leader and I don’t believe the party will be electable for as long as he remains leader. I want to see a Welsh Conservative Party that pursues a progressive small c conservatism with policy based on Welsh cultural values such as the Welsh language, constitutional government and democracy. I’m not interested in his divisive views. New talent needs to come through and take over before it’s too late."
Another Welsh Conservative source suggested that senior figures were getting "fed up" of his behaviour and that the party faced a "wipe out" next year if action wasn't taken. They said: "Andrew has gone full on Trump. It might appeal to his ex-UKIP staffers but senior figures in the party are getting fed up with his embarrassing and erratic behaviour.
"We’re against the clock to repair the damage of a year’s in-fighting and prevent a wipeout of Welsh Conservative MPs next year. While the polls are narrowing nationally, Andrew is undermining work to detoxify the brand in Wales."
Several critical sources took issue with Andrew RT Davies using the phrase "elite" to attack his political opponents while pointing out that he was a multi-millionaire "largely from inherited wealth" who had a privileged boarding school education at the £14,000-a-term Wycliffe College and earned over "£100,000 from his part-time role as leader of the opposition". Others cited a previous WalesOnline investigation where he employed his own wife at the public's expense despite there being little evidence of her actually working in the role. "He is the very elite that he despises so much," one source added.
Others, who had actually run for the Welsh Tories in recent elections, felt frustrated at the focus on "wokeness" when there were clear issues with how Labour were running the Welsh NHS. One said: "I don’t think attacking labour on “woke-ism” is the right strategy for Welsh elections. I can understand it on a UK national level with Starmer struggling to answer the 'what is a woman?' questions. But for Wales specifically more time should be dedicated to highlighting Welsh Labour's failures in healthcare, education, housing, roads/transport and the economy on which we tend to score lower than England and Scotland on most measurable metrics (despite receiving more funding per person than England)."
'The style is overwhelming backed by members here in Wales'
Though there have been moves against Andrew RT Davies within the party, this doesn't mean that many in the Welsh Conservatives don't support his tone and style. Huw Davies, chairman of the Newport West Conservatives told WalesOnline: "Although the approach may seem blunt and provocative, Andrew is basing his strategy on sound academic ground. He is responding to the biggest political shift in allegiances since the early 20th Century.
"The realignment of British politics is well documented and backed by rigorous research, which is also mirroring what is happening across the Western world. Now I may be looking at this from an academic level, but the style is overwhelming backed by members here in Wales. If we as a Party do not respond to this change in voting patterns, then we would be irrelevant.
"The future of the Welsh Conservatives and the Conservative Party as a whole is appealing to the working classes of Britain, and understanding that many people have felt left behind by globalisation."
Another supporter added: "I completely agree with Andrew RT. If the government actually asked the public whether they wanted 20mph speed limits everywhere, a ban on road building, a tourism tax, gender self ID - the answer would be no.
"It’s the worst kind of 'we know what’s best for you without actually asking you want'. Their campaigns are endlessly saying 'look how bad the Tories are', which is pretty much true. But they don’t set out what voting Labour in Wales really gives you. More lockdowns. Slower recovery and metropolitan elite luxury beliefs."
There were still others who approved of the more confrontational tone with Welsh Labour but didn't like the personal attacks on Sir Keir Starmer. One farmer told WalesOnline that they "despaired" about Labour's attitude to rural communities. "They treat anyone that challenges them with contempt," they said. "Some of the exchanges in the Senedd are a disgrace. I think Andrew RT has stepped up recently and rightly so. Someone has to take a stand. I don't agree with personalising politics but robust debate is imperative. In the past I think the Welsh Conservatives have been too quiet.
"Not keen on the 'Slippery Starmer' characterisation, too personal. But I think the more robust tone in his tweets is an improvement. To be honest I find the vitriol flung by Labour at any form of criticism more disturbing."
The same person said that they would not object to a new leader but only if it was an improvement on what the Welsh Tories already had. They added: "If there was someone charismatic and politically astute then I would support a change. Not sure there is anyone, no-one I can think of anyway."
When approached by WalesOnline about the comments, Mr Davies twice said he "made no apologies". He said: "As a plain speaking farmer, I’m not the most polished but I make no apologies for saying things as I see them.
“In Wales, our NHS is underperforming compared to England, our waiting lists are longer and our education results are worse. We deserve and can achieve so much better. The reason for this is simple: Labour ministers in the Senedd are distracted.
“They’re too busy pursuing extreme ideologies like bringing Nicola Sturgeon’s Gender Recognition Bill to Wales, banning new road building projects and opposing UK Government action to stop the boats. If they exist, these anonymous sources should reflect on why Labour have been so desperate to silence my criticism: they know their extreme views are out of touch with the Welsh public and they do not want to be held to account. I make no apologies for standing up for the interests of the Welsh people and I will continue to do so.”
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What is going on with the Twitter feed of Welsh Tory leader Andrew RT Davies?
