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Ex Wrexham MP Sarah Atherton quits Conservatives ahead of Senedd election Ex Wrexham MP Sarah Atherton quits Conservatives ahead of Senedd election
(about 20 hours later)
Former Conservative MP Sarah Atherton says she "still has a lot to give"Former Conservative MP Sarah Atherton says she "still has a lot to give"
A former Conservative MP has quit the party, branding it "impotent", and wants to stand in next May's Senedd election.A former Conservative MP has quit the party, branding it "impotent", and wants to stand in next May's Senedd election.
Sarah Atherton, who lost her Wrexham seat at last July's general election, has said the Conservatives "no longer align with her values or ideology".Sarah Atherton, who lost her Wrexham seat at last July's general election, has said the Conservatives "no longer align with her values or ideology".
She has not confirmed which party she would stand for but Atherton said she had "a lot still left to give" and hoped to continue her political career in Cardiff Bay, drawing on her experience in social work.She has not confirmed which party she would stand for but Atherton said she had "a lot still left to give" and hoped to continue her political career in Cardiff Bay, drawing on her experience in social work.
A Conservatives spokesperson said the party did not wish to comment on the matter.A Conservatives spokesperson said the party did not wish to comment on the matter.
Having served as Wrexham MP from 2019 until she lost her seat in 2024, Atherton was parliamentary under-secretary of state for defence people, veterans and service families for a brief period in 2022.Having served as Wrexham MP from 2019 until she lost her seat in 2024, Atherton was parliamentary under-secretary of state for defence people, veterans and service families for a brief period in 2022.
She was the first Conservative politician to represent the Wrexham constituency since its creation in 1918.She was the first Conservative politician to represent the Wrexham constituency since its creation in 1918.
Last year, Atherton said the Conservatives should "embrace" Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.Last year, Atherton said the Conservatives should "embrace" Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
At the time her comments drew criticism from then-Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies, who said the party's future "will not be found through the empty lens of Nigel Farage's pint glass".At the time her comments drew criticism from then-Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies, who said the party's future "will not be found through the empty lens of Nigel Farage's pint glass".
When asked by Newyddion S4C, Atherton said she had not joined Reform UK. When asked by BBC-produced Newyddion S4C, Atherton said she had not joined Reform UK.
The former Wrexham MP said she cannot stand for the Conservatives, citing the party's "configured selection process" which gives priority to sitting Members of the Senedd.The former Wrexham MP said she cannot stand for the Conservatives, citing the party's "configured selection process" which gives priority to sitting Members of the Senedd.
Under Wales' new election map, 16 seats will each elect six members, chosen from party lists.Under Wales' new election map, 16 seats will each elect six members, chosen from party lists.
Last month, former Conservative MS Laura Anne Jones defected to Reform UK, becoming its first member in the Senedd, following in the footsteps of former Welsh Secretary David Jones.Last month, former Conservative MS Laura Anne Jones defected to Reform UK, becoming its first member in the Senedd, following in the footsteps of former Welsh Secretary David Jones.