Nigel Farage Introduces Reform UK’s Welsh Leader, Announces Senedd Member Defection
Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, recently appointed Dan Thomas as its leader in Wales. This announcement comes ahead of the upcoming Senedd election, scheduled for May. The party also welcomed James Evans, a current Member of the Senedd, who has defected from the Conservative Party.
New Leadership in Reform UK Wales
Dan Thomas, a former leader of Barnet Council, has taken on the role of Reform UK leader in Wales. Born in the Welsh Valleys, Thomas served as the Conservative leader from 2019 until 2022. He joined Reform UK last year and has expressed a deep connection to his Welsh roots.
- Name: Dan Thomas
- Former Position: Conservative leader of Barnet Council
- Term: 2019 – 2022
- Joined Reform UK: 2022
At a party event in Newport, Thomas shared his motivations. He revealed he moved to London to pursue a career in financial services. However, he returned to the Valleys to raise his children in the same environment he cherished.
James Evans Joins Reform UK
James Evans, representing Brecon and Radnorshire, has left the Conservative Party after being dismissed over his intentions to defect. Evans, who has served as an independent following his departure, spoke at the Newport event about the challenges facing Wales and the need for a fresh political direction.
- Name: James Evans
- Current Role: Member of the Senedd for Brecon and Radnorshire
- Sacked From: Conservative Party (February 2023)
- Joined Reform UK: March 2023
- First Elected: 2021
Evans highlighted the perceived failures of other parties, stating that both Britain and Wales are “broken.” He criticized previous positions he took against Reform UK, reflecting on the party’s growth and commitment to facing difficult truths.
Response from Welsh Political Leaders
The announcement of new leadership sparked criticism from Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru. A spokesperson for Welsh Labour accused Farage’s party of being a refuge for disillusioned Tories. Similarly, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth referred to Thomas as Farage’s “lapdog,” asserting that Reform UK merely represents a recycling of Conservative politics.
- Criticism from Welsh Labour: Farage’s party is led by former Tories.
- Criticism from Plaid Cymru: Reform is a party seeking to further personal ambitions rather than represent Wales.
With the Senedd election approaching on May 7, the landscape for political competition in Wales is heating up. The emergence of Thomas and Evans in Reform UK poses a challenge for other parties, as they seek to solidify their support among voters.
