Welsh Tories’ Trump trip means Labour to win budget vote

The vote is largely symbolic, but losing it would embarrass the government.

Both Tories are trustees of a Christian charity, the Evans Roberts Institute.

The institute last year funded Rhys ab Owen to go to the same American event, while he was under investigation for his conduct.

Ministers will have to publish a final version of the budget and get it approved by the Senedd next month.

Conservatives have strongly criticised the spending plans and said on Monday night: “It must be voted down.”

But it emerged on Tuesday morning Millar would not be there because of what was described as “a long-standing commitment in the US where he will be meeting a number of high-profile politicians”.

Absent Senedd members can ask a member from another party to sit out the vote, an informal arrangement known as pairing.

It is understood the Conservatives asked Labour to pair, but the request was rejected.

If MSs need parental leave, have long term illness, caring responsibilities, or are suffering a bereavement someone can cast a proxy vote on their behalf. Labour’s Lesley Griffiths is away for a month and has arranged for a proxy vote.

Plaid Cymru says it will vote against the budget.

It is thought the sole Liberal Democrat Jane Dodds was the most likely to negotiate a deal with the government.