THE Welsh Conservatives have announced their shadow cabinet.

Acting leader Paul Davies has appointed 12 Assembly Members to shadow ministerial positions.

The selections include a Rural Affairs brief - an area the Tories say Labour omitted from its Cabinet table.

Party leadership contender Andrew RT Davies will take on the portfolio for business, enterprise and technology, while his rival Nick Ramsay will hold the shadow positions of finance, chief whip as well as Shadow Leader of the House.

Other appointments include Wales' first Muslim AM Mohammad Asghar taking on responsibilities for equalities and sport and new Assembly Member Byron Davies handling regeneration and transport.

The only Tory AM not to be given a shadow cabinet post is David Melding, who was last week made the assembly's deputy presiding officer.

Interim leader Mr Davies said: "As the official opposition in the assembly, it is very clear we have a duty to hold this government to account and scrutinise its record of delivery. This shadow cabinet will provide the strongest possible voice in making sure that happens.

"Unlike Labour, Welsh Conservatives firmly believe rural affairs should have a voice around the Cabinet table. We do not agree with Labour's decision to demote this portfolio to a deputy ministerial position. The presence of a Shadow Rural Affairs Minister will make sure this area is given the strong voice it needs.’’

Welsh Conservatives's shadow cabinet in full:

  • Paul Davies - Acting Leader
  • Mohammad Asghar - Equalities & Sport
  • Angela Burns - Education
  • Andrew RT Davies - Business, Enterprise & Technology
  • Byron Davies - Regeneration & Transport
  • Nick Ramsay - Finance, Business Manager, Chief Whip, Shadow Leader of the House
  • Suzy Davies - Welsh Language & Culture
  • Janet Finch-Saunders - Social Services
  • Russell George - Environment & Sustainable Development
  • William Graham - Local Government
  • Mark Isherwood - Communities & Housing
  • Darren Millar - Health
  • Antoinette Sandbach - Rural Affairs