SITTING Conservative AM Nick Ramsay has been returned to the National Assembly with a majority of more than 6,000 and has said that he is now 'considering' standing for the party leadership.

Despite a swing of 4.1 from Conservative to Labour, which saw his majority cut from 8,469 to 6,117, Mr Ramsay was returned comfortably to Cardiff Bay, taking some 46 per cent of the 30,001 votes cast in Monmouthshire.

Speaking at the Monmouthshire count Mr Ramsay thanked his fellow candidates and said he would the Assembly should look at ways of increasing support to small and medium sized businesses in the coming term of office.

All candidates thanked their supporters and praised the clean election campaigns of their opponents

English Democrat candidate Steve Uncles, who polled just 744 votes, was not present at the count.

In a dramatic night, which saw a number of high profile AMs such as Helen Mary Jones and Veronia German lose their seats, Welsh Conservative leader Nick Bourne also fell victim, ironically as a result of his party's increased succcess in the first past the post race where gains in consituencies in Mr Bourne's Mid and West Wales area made his hold on the regional list less secure.

Mr Bourne said he was "obviously very disappointed" to lose his seat - news his learned via Titter

"I've loved what I've been doing in the assembly," he said, adding that he had enjoyed "12 marvellous years" as an AM for mid and west Wales.

Among those leading the tributes to Mr Bourne were Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan who said he had played a lead role in transforming the image and fortunes of the Welsh Conservative Party for more than a decade.

"His leadership, vision and courage have been central to the party's unprecedented levels of success in recent years.

"I personally have valued his friendship and working with him in moving the Conservative Party forward in Wales.

Welsh Conservative Management board and Tory AMs met over the weekend and chose Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies to act as the interim Welsh Tory leader.

Mr Davies has, however, made it clear that he will not be seeking the post on a long-term basis.

Speaking on the weekend, Mr Ramsay confirmed that he is considering standing, as are his colleagues Andrew RT Davies and Darren Millar.

Mr Ramsay, who is Conservative chief whip in the assembly told the BBC Politics Show Wales: "I'm going to be considering standing for the leadership - many of my colleagues will be considering that as well.

"I'm going to be discussing with colleagues and senior party officials, exactly where the Welsh Conservative party is going. That's what's important, not who the personality is."

He added: "The important thing to consider as far as the leadership is concerned is where we want to be going as a party.

"It's not simply a question of putting a personality in - somebody who in the short term might be good but in the longer term we need to think again."

RESULTS IN FULL

Monmouth Constituency

Nick Ramsay - Conservative - 15,087

Mark Whitcutt -Labour - 8,970

Janet Ellard -Liberal Democrat - 2,937

Fiona Cross Plaid Cymru - 2,263

Steve Uncles –English Democrats - 744

Blaenau Gwent

Alun Davies - Labour - 12,926

Jayne Sullivan -Independent - 3,806

Darren Jones - Plaid Cymru -1,098

Bob Hayward - Conservative -1,066

Brian Urch - British National Party - 948

Martin Oliver Blakebrough - Liberal Democrat - 367

Brecon and Radnor

Kirsty Williams - Liberal Democrat - 12,201

Chris Davies - Conservative - 9,444

Chris Lloyd - Labour - 4,797

Gary David Price - Plaid Cymru -1,906

Torfaen

Lynne Neagle - Labour- 10,318

Elizabeth Haynes Independent 4,230

Natasha Asghar - Conservative 3,306

Jeff Rees - Plaid Cymru 2,716

Susan Harwood - British National Party - 906

Will Griffiths - Liberal Democrat - 852

Votes cast for the regional list seats for South East Wales:

Labour - 82,699

Conservative - 35,459

Plaid Cymru - 21,850

Liberal Democrats - 10,798

UKIP - 9,526

BNP - 6,485

Green Party - 4,857

Socialist Labour Party - 4,427

Christian Party - 2,441

English Democrats - 1,904

Welsh Communist Party – 578

 

Elected

Mohammad Asghar – Conservative

William Graham – Conservative

Jocelyn Davies – Plaid Cymru

Lindsay Whittle - Plaid Cymru