Senior Welsh Senedd member defects to Reform UK
Laura Anne Jones, who represents South East Wales, becomes the first Reform member of the Senedd. Ms Jones, who has been a Senedd member since July 2020 and previously served in the same capacity from 2003 to 2007, announced her decision alongside Reform UK leader Nigel Farage at the Royal Welsh show.
She revealed to the press that she had not pre-informed her party or the group leader in Wales, Darren Millar, about her departure.
Ms Jones expressed her belief that "Wales needs Reform" and positioned herself as "part of the solution not the problem".
She voiced her discontent, saying: "I am here today because the Conservatives are not listening to members," and criticised her former party, remarking: "The Conservative Party has forgotten how to be Conservative," reports Wales Online.
Mr Farage told journalists he still did not know who the leader in Wales would be, but said "all in good time". He said Ms Jones brought "conviction, passion and she knows how it works".
He said he wanted to urge farmers to become candidates ahead of the election. "We will, between now and next May, get farmers directly involved and we also want Welsh farming voices to put their names forward."
In a statement released by Reform, she said: "The Conservatives failed us when last in power, with let down after let down, and now Labour in Westminster are just like Labour in Wales, completely incompetent, with totally the wrong priorities and have become a joke that isn't funny.
"Reform is the only party that now represents decent hard-working people, with traditional, patriotic values. People who love their country and are as devastated as I am at the erosion of our beautiful country and its values, faith and traditions, Wales and the UK are now turning to Reform.
"There is so much to undo and put right, and Reform is the only party able to stop Labour and Plaid getting into bed together once again and taking our beautiful country into decline again.
"I strongly believe that I've joined a party today that recognises and shares my ambition for Wales, for our great country, to make the dragon roar once more.
"I can't wait to get started, help steer things in the right direction, fight for my constituents and for my beloved Wales, and take people along with me. With Reform, I truly feel that I am now part of the solution, not the problem. Let's Reform Cymru."
Reform UK is projected to take seats in the Senedd election in May 2026 with some projecting they could be the biggest party.
A third consecutive poll has shown Labour is projected to come behind Reform UK and Plaid Cymru at next May's Senedd election. The latest poll puts Labour 5% up on previous estimates of 18% but the poll, by More in Common for Sky News is the second to project Reform would be the biggest party in the Senedd. Labour is projected to come third, current polling suggests.
First Minister Eluned Morgan has criticised Reform in stark terms saying it is not just a "threat" to her party but to Wales.
Eluned Morgan told Sky News voters in Wales needed to understand Reform as a "threat", warning that "things that they're used to" such as free prescriptions and free school meals for primary school children "could be snatched away".
She said: "We're taking it very seriously, and we think the threat from Reform is a very serious threat."
Ms Jones has faced criticism in the Senedd over expenses, and language used in message to party colleagues. In the press conference, she said she had seen the report into her alleged actions and she said she is confident of the outcome "which is why she is here today".
In response to the defection, Welsh Conservative Leader Darren Millar MS said: "Naturally, I'm disappointed by Laura's decision and Conservative Party members and voters in South East Wales will feel very let down by her announcement.
"The Welsh Conservatives will not allow this to distract us from our national mission to boot Labour out and fix Wales. In the meantime, we wish Laura all the very best in her new high tax and high spend party."
A Welsh Labour spokesperson said: 'Today's defection is further proof that Reform are just the Tories in teal ties. Neither party cares about the people of Wales.
'Laura Anne Jones has seen the polls and, in a desperate attempt to keep her Senedd seat, is leaving the sinking Tory ship."
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