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James Evans (Welsh politician)
James Evans is a Welsh Conservative Party politician and farmer, who has served as the Member of the Senedd (MS) for Brecon and Radnorshire since the 2021 Senedd election, as Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care since December 2024.[1] He previously served as councillor for Gwernyfed ward on Powys County Council. Political careerJames Evans had been elected to Powys County Council in 2017,[2] representing the Gwernyfed ward, and was cabinet member for economic development, housing and regulatory services. In 2018 he was criticised for retaining this cabinet role while in New Zealand on a National Farmers' Union scholarship to study deer farming and vension production.[3] At the 2021 Senedd elections, Evans contested the Brecon and Radnorshire constituency and was elected, becoming the first Conservative MS for this constituency.[4][5] He maintained his role as a councillor until the 2022 Powys County Council elections, which he did not contest.[6][7] Evans is a member of the Local Government and Housing Committee and the Wales COVID-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee.[8] He is a member of cross-party groups on armed forces and cadets, beer and pubs, horseracing, preventing child sexual abuse, rural growth, small shops, suicide prevention and tourism.[8] In 2023, Evans called for 'clear blue water' to be created between the Welsh Conservatives and the national Conservative Party, in reference to the clear red water approach taken by Welsh Labour.[9] Evans was appointed Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs in April 2024,[10] having previously served as shadow minister for mental health.[11] In October 2024, Evans was a co-submitter and sole Welsh Conservative MS to vote in favour of a motion tabled by Julie Morgan supporting the principle of assisted suicide.[12][13] He stated he had entered politics because he had promised his grandmother that he would "never let anybody go through what she went through at the end of her life."[13] NotesReferences
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