Top Conservative politician Chris Philp struggled to recall the name of the leader of his party in Wales during a challenging TV interview. The Shadow Home Secretary hesitated multiple times before admitting he couldn’t remember the name. The interviewer, Chris Hope from GB News, pointed out that the leader is Darren Millar and criticized the Conservative party’s declining presence in Wales.
Responding to the criticism, Philp defended his party’s efforts to govern for the entire country, highlighting various policy plans aimed at benefitting the nation as a whole. Darren Millar took over as leader of the Welsh Conservatives in December following Andrew RT Davies’ resignation amid internal party criticisms.
Recent electoral results showed a poor performance for the Tories in Caerphilly, where they secured only 2% of the vote, trailing behind Plaid Cymru, Reform, and Labour. Philp faced backlash for his conflicting statements on whether remarks by Reform MP Sarah Pochin were racist, initially avoiding labeling them as such but later acknowledging the racist nature of her comments.
The Croydon South MP condemned Pochin’s statements, emphasizing that they were inappropriate and racist, despite her subsequent apology. The incident added to the challenges faced by the Conservative party as they navigate political landscapes in Wales and beyond.