26 Facts About Darren Millar

Darren David Millar was born on 1976 and is a Welsh politician who has served as the leader of the Welsh Conservatives since December 2024, and Member of the Senedd for Clwyd West since 2007.

In 1999, Darren Millar ran for the Towyn ward on Conwy County Borough Council, and for Towyn and Kinmel Bay town council.

Darren Millar was not elected to the county council, but was elected to the town council.

From 2000 to 2001, Darren Millar was mayor of the township of Towyn and Kinmel Bay.

Darren Millar was a member of Conwy County Borough Council from 2004, the North Wales Police Authority and the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

In 2006, while a member of Conwy Council, Darren Millar was referred to the standards watchdog, after complaints from the Unite, Unison and GMB trade unions about comments he made alleging that staff were abusing or misusing the sick pay system.

Darren Millar was first elected to represent Clwyd West in 2007, and was re-elected in the 2011,2016 and 2021 elections.

In 2006, Darren Millar was selected to contest the Clwyd West seat.

Darren Millar was successfully elected to the Clwyd West seat, unseating the incumbent Labour MS, Alun Pugh.

Darren Millar initially said that fear of flooding must not prevent construction on floodplains, but that "you've got to look at strengthening our flood defences", but later supported a ban on building on floodplains, and a substantial increase in spending on flood defences.

Darren Millar was critical of the Welsh Government's provision of free prescriptions, saying it would lead to prescription tourism, and that he was aware of caravan owners who registered with GPs in his constituency to avoid paying charges.

Darren Millar served in this role until February 2009, when he was moved to be Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government.

Darren Millar retained this role after Andrew RT Davies was elected leader and formalised the interim Shadow Cabinet, and throughout the remainder of the term.

Darren Millar was discussed as a candidate to replace Andrew RT Davies at the 2018 Welsh Conservatives leadership election, but he did not contest the election.

Darren Millar resigned from his frontbench roles on 23 January 2021 after the leader Paul Davies resigned on the same day.

Darren Millar returned to the role of Chief Whip in May 2021, after the 2021 Senedd election, alongside a role as Shadow Minister for the Constitution and North Wales.

Darren Millar has been drawn to table a Members' Bill on three occasions.

Darren Millar came second, losing to the Labour candidate by 1,196 votes.

In 2024, Darren Millar tabled a non-binding motion of no confidence in First Minister Vaughan Gething, over donations made during the 2024 Welsh Labour leadership election and the sacking of former Social Partnership Minister Hannah Blythyn.

Darren Millar quickly obtained the support of six of his colleagues, Paul Davies, Russell George, Tom Giffard, James Evans, Altaf Hussain and Gareth Davies within 24 hours, and the whole group within 48 hours.

Darren Millar is the chief executive of a Christian organisation that he works for alongside his job in politics.

Darren Millar was one of four then-sitting Conservative MSs to vote for Brexit in the 2016 Brexit referendum.

Darren Millar has been a "fierce critic" of NHS prescriptions having been made free.

Darren Millar has stated he is pro-life but that he "believes in freedom of choice and personal responsibility" and is "not a person who likes to impose [his] views on other people".

Darren Millar enjoys reading and history, and is a Christian, attending Festival Church.

Darren Millar has been a citizen of both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland for decades.