Reform UK's Nigel Farage's eight election policies for Wales
Reform UK's Nigel Farage's eight election policies for Wales
It includes a pledge to resume coal mining in Wales
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage attends a press conference
(Image: Getty Images )
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has given his first glimpse of policies the party will campaign on ahead of the Senedd election in 2026.
These include resuming coal mining in south Wales and changing the order in which people can access social housing. There is also a pledge to "reopen" the steelworks at Port Talbot- although owner Tata has different plans.
Polling suggests that Reform UK will get its first seats in the Senedd at the election next May. The new look Senedd will have 96 rather than 60 MSs as part of sweeping changes.
A YouGov/Barn Cymru poll asked people their voting intention for the Welsh Parliament in May put Reform UK in second with 25% of the vote. They were only behind Plaid Cymru who were projected to get 30% of the vote and ahead of Labour's 18%. You can read that here. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
In an opinion piece for WalesOnline ahead of a visit to Port Talbot, the party leader has given his first glimpses of policies ahead of the election ahead of a speech at noon today (June 9). There are live updates from that here.
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Admitting that Reform is starting from a low base with only a handful of councillors in Wales, he says: "It is clear that the people of Wales want Reform. Our growth in Wales has been extraordinary. We now have almost 11,000 members and tens of thousands of supporters. We are winning Council by-elections in Wales with almost 50% of the vote," he writes.
He has also said: "Welsh politics, we're coming to get you". You can read that here.
His policies are:
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More coal mining in Wales . Farage says: "We would allow coal, if suitable, to be mined in Wales".
. Farage says: "We would allow coal, if suitable, to be mined in Wales". Reopen Port Talbot steelworks. Farage says that is, "part of Reform's long-term ambition to reopen the Port Talbot Steelworks but we know this will not be quick or easy".
Farage says that is, "part of Reform's long-term ambition to reopen the Port Talbot Steelworks but we know this will not be quick or easy". Redirect funding to factories. He says Welsh Development Grants would "redirect economic funding from consultants and NGOs to actual factory floors, machinery, and industrial jobs in places like Llanelli, Shotton, and Ebbw Vale."
He says Welsh Development Grants would "redirect economic funding from consultants and NGOs to actual factory floors, machinery, and industrial jobs in places like Llanelli, Shotton, and Ebbw Vale." Set up regional technical colleges. The Reform leader says these would teach welding, plumbing, robotics, electrical trades, and industrial automation
The Reform leader says these would teach welding, plumbing, robotics, electrical trades, and industrial automation End funding to the Welsh Refugee Council. He says: "We would end funding to the Wales Refugee Council and scrap the 'Nation of Sanctuary' for asylum seekers and any funding that goes with it."
He says: "We would end funding to the Wales Refugee Council and scrap the 'Nation of Sanctuary' for asylum seekers and any funding that goes with it." Social housing systems waiting change . The Reform leader says: "We will put the interests of the Welsh people first and make sure that local people go to the front of the social housing queue".
. The Reform leader says: "We will put the interests of the Welsh people first and make sure that local people go to the front of the social housing queue". Stop building housing for asylum seekers . Farage says: "We'd stop the use of any building for asylum seeker accommodation".
. Farage says: "We'd stop the use of any building for asylum seeker accommodation". Cut bureaucracy: He says "Reform UK Senedd will also save hundreds of millions each year by cutting bureaucracy, waste and bad management. The establishment of Welsh DOGE [Department of Government Efficiency] will help us uncover where there is woke and wasteful spending and we will make sure those funds are redirected to frontline services."
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