Newport Council leader Debbie Wilcox and Ex-Tory MP Byron Davies make Theresa May's honours list

  • Wales
The current Labour leader of Newport council and a former Tory MP are to become peers after being included in Theresa May's honours lIst. Credit: Newport Council/PA

The current Labour leader of Newport council and a former Tory MP are to become peers after being included in Theresa May's resignation honours list.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, nominated Debbie Wilcox, also leader of the Welsh Local Government Association ( WGLA), to become a Labour peer.

MP Byron Davies has also been nominated by Theresa May to join the House of Lords.

Councillor Wilcox is said to be recognised for her outstanding contribution to education and local government.

Councillor Andrew Morgan (Rhondda Cynon Taf), WLGA Presiding Officer said "this is fantastic news."

He said since Debbie took the helm at the WLGA she has worked "tirelessly to champion local democracy and promote local government at every possible opportunity."

Baroness Wilcox has been Leader of the WLGA since June 2016, where she also serves as spokesperson for Education.

Prior to her taking office in Newport, Baroness Wilcox worked as a senior examiner and was a teacher for over 35 years, which led her to take a particularly active interest in education during her career as a councillor.

MP Byron Davies was also awarded a peerage by former PM Teresa May.

Byron Davies said he is deeply honoured to be awarded a peerage. Credit: PA

In a tweet, the Chairman of Welsh Conservatives said he was "deeply honoured."

Labour tweeted that Mrs May's honours list rewarded "big Tory donors and No 10 cronies".