This article is missing information about Millar's pre-leadership career, jobs outside of politics and political views. Please expand the article to include this information. Further details may exist on the talk page.(December 2024)
Millar lives in the Kinmel Bay area with his wife and two children. He enjoys reading and history, and is a Christian,[4][5][6] attending Festival Church.[7] He has been a citizen of both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland for decades.[8]
Political career
Millar joined Clwyd North Conservative Association at age 15, and shortly after became chairman.[9]
In 2005, he was the sole dissenter to a budget that saw an increase of 5% in the policing budget, and therefore an increase in local council tax.[15]
In 2006, while a member of Conwy Council, 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.[16]
Millar was first elected to represent Clwyd West in 2007, and was re-elected in the 2011, 2016 and 2021 elections.
Third Senedd
In 2006, Millar was selected to contest the Clwyd West seat. During a hustings in April of 2007, Millar allegedly described homosexuality as a sin,[4][5] and stated he believed that creationism should be taught in science lessons.[6] Millar alleged that he had been misrepresented, and stated that he did not believe anyone should be discriminated against on the basis of sexuality, and stated that "school governors, parents and teachers should have flexibility in their curriculum".[6][17] He was successfully elected to the Clwyd West seat, unseating the incumbent Labour MS, Alun Pugh.[18] Pugh was the only Cabinet Minister to be defeated in the election.[19]
After his election to the Senedd in 2007, Millar was appointed Shadow Minister for Environment and Planning by Nick Bourne.[20] While in this role he campaigned for targets to reduce emissions,[21] supported the banning of single-use plastic bags,[22] and was supportive of investment in biofuels.[23] He also initially said that fear of flooding must not prevent construction on floodplains, but that "you've also got to look at strengthening our flood defences",[24] but later supported a ban on building on floodplains,[25] and a substantial increase in spending on flood defences.
He 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.[26]
He served in this role until February 2009, when he was moved to be Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government.[27] In November 2010, he was appointed Shadow Minister for Economy and Transport.[28][29]
Fourth and Fifth Senedds
After his re-election in 2011, he was appointed Shadow Minister for Health by interim leader Paul Davies.[30][31] He retained this role after Andrew RT Davies was elected leader and formalised the interim Shadow Cabinet, and throughout the remainder of the term.[32] After the 2016 Senedd elections, Millar was appointed Welsh Conservative education spokesperson, as Plaid Cymru became the Official Opposition.[33] In April 2017, he became Shadow Minister for Education, as the Welsh Conservatives returned to opposition.[34]
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.[35] After Paul Davies was elected as leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Millar was appointed as Welsh Conservative Chief Whip, Welsh Conservative Policy Director, and Shadow Cabinet Secretary for External Affairs and International Relations.[36]
COVID-19 regulations investigation
In January 2021 the Senedd Commission investigated Millar for an alleged breach of COVID-19 regulations.[37] He resigned from his frontbench roles on 23 January 2021 after the leader Paul Davies resigned on the same day.[38] Both Millar and Davies were later cleared of any wrongdoing by South Wales Police, Cardiff City Council, the Senedd Commission and the Senedd Standards of Conduct Committee. In April 2022 a report published by the Senedd Standards Committee found that no laws or standards of conduct had been breached.[39]
Sixth Senedd
He 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.[40]
Millar has been drawn to table a Members' Bill on three occasions.
Millar has been a "fierce critic" of NHS prescriptions having been made free.[52]
Women's rights
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".[48]
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