Their first leader, the former Welsh Office Minister Rod Richards, showed a combative style of politics against the Labour government.

The Preseli Pembrokeshire Assembly Member Paul Davies then became the Interim Leader whilst an election took place.

The contest was between Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central) and Nick Ramsay (Monmouthshire).

[citation needed] Also in the post-May 2011 Welsh Assembly elections period, David Melding (South Wales Central) was elected as the Deputy Presiding Officer of the Welsh Assembly, the first time a Conservative had held this post.

This proposal has been criticised by senior figures in the UK party, including former secretary of state for Wales Cheryl Gillan, who described it as "irritating" and a "distraction".

He resigned in 1999 after being accused of assault, originally for a temporary period, and appointed his deputy David TC Davies as acting leader.

This was overruled shortly after with Nick Bourne taking Davies's place as acting leader, leading Richards to resign in protest.

[16] Darren Millar succeeded Davies two days later, after facing no opposition in the 2024 Welsh Conservatives leadership election.