Newport MP hands petition to ban fur imports at No 10
The petition, which gained backing from Humane World for Animals UK, RSPCA, PETA, FOUR PAWS UK and Open Cages, supports Ms Jones's bill set for its second reading on June 13, aiming to halt fur imports into the UK.
Ms Jones said: "If passed into law, my bill would end the UK's complicity in the cruelty of the global fur trade.
"I am delighted today to join #FurFreeBritain campaigners to deliver more than 1.5 million petition signatures to show the Prime Minister how much support there is for this legislation."
Fur farming was banned in the UK over 20 years ago, yet fur worth £30-£40 million is still imported annually.
The bill proposes extending bans on trade from cats, dogs, and seals to include foxes, raccoon dogs, mink, chinchilla, and coyotes.
The bill has substantial public backing, with 77 per cent supporting a fur import ban.
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Powys County Times
13 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Conservative Senedd member Laura Anne Jones defects to Reform
Laura Anne Jones, a long-standing Welsh Conservative Member of the Senedd who represents south east Wales, has dramatically defected to Reform UK. The announcement was made this afternoon at the Royal Welsh Show in Powys, where she appeared alongside Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage MP. Jones, who has represented the South Wales East region since 2020 and previously served in the Senedd from 2003 to 2007, has been a member of the Conservative Party for over three decades. But today, she said she no longer believed the party represented the values of the Welsh people. 'The Conservatives failed us when last in power,' she said. 'Labour, both in Westminster and in Wales, are completely incompetent. There is so much to undo and put right, Reform is now the only party that stands up for hard-working people with traditional, patriotic values.' Her move follows a turbulent year in Welsh politics. In June 2024, Jones was asked to step down from the Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet amid allegations related to expenses. At the time, WhatsApp messages appeared to show her instructing a staff member to 'make more than I did – add in stuff please ok.' She was later cleared by South Wales Police, who found no evidence of fraud. She was reinstated to the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport in December. But today's announcement sees a complete break with the Conservatives. Jones said Reform UK is 'the only party able to stop Labour and Plaid getting into bed together once again.' Her message to voters was : 'I strongly believe I've joined a party that 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.' Reacting to the news, 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." Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said: "This is yet another desperate Tory defection who knows the writing is on the wall for their party's prospects next May. "Our national parliament is not a play thing for those who want to set Wales on a road to ruin. "Only a Plaid Cymru government will build a fair, ambitious and prosperous nation." 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. This is someone who backed Liz Truss' reckless economics which crashed the economy, lost her front bench role over expenses claims and her own party said they were embarrassed by her racist slur in a WhatsApp group. 'She claims she's now part of the solution not the problem. Reform have no plan for Wales only Welsh Labour is listening and delivering for the people of Wales.'
Spectator
13 hours ago
- Spectator
Farage unveils first defection in Wales
This afternoon, Nigel Farage unveiled his party's first defector in the Welsh parliament. Laura Anne Jones was first elected to the Senedd in 2003 and has been a card-carrying Conservative for more than 30 years. But today she has crossed the floor, citing the dire state of the country and the urgent need for change. This has been a defection long in the making. A number of senior former Welsh Tories now work for Farage's party; conversations have been going on for months about potential defectors. Polls suggest that Reform is on course to win around 30 of the 96 seats in next year's elections for Cardiff Bay. After a string of Conservative councillors and party members switching parties, it was always a matter of when, rather than if, a sitting MS would defect. Inevitably, speculation has begun about Jones' plans in the Senedd. She was remaining tight lipped at this afternoon's press conference, simply saying 'watch this space' when asked as to how she intends to spend the next 10 months. Farage declared he had 'no idea' who would be Reform's candidate for first minister come next May. Sir Jake Berry's recent switch has prompted speculation that he will be a contender; other names are also being bandied around in Milbank Tower. Reform are hailing today's move as a portent of things to come: not just in Wales but across the UK too. Farage sees Jones and the likes of Layla Cunningham as proof that Reform can win the so-called 'Mums' vote' of women in their forties and fifties. On a tour of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show after the press conference, he hailed Jones' credentials as the daughter of a Welsh farmer. Agriculture, steel and tourism are three of the big issues in Wales. Farage's party has set out his pitch on two of these issues: expect a focus on tourism in the months ahead too. While looking to the future, today's defection also has reminders of the past. Jones was a key member of Vote Leave Wales. Her switch was aided by David Jones, another recent defector, and former chairman of that campaign. Matt MacKinnon, a key figure in Reform HQ, was chief executive then too. The hope next May is to bring together the best of the Brexit coalition to try and achieve a similar revolution in the Senedd.
North Wales Live
14 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Senior Welsh Senedd member defects to Reform UK
A senior serving Conservative Senedd member has announced she is switching to Reform UK after 31 years with the Tories, stating the party is no longer "recognisable" to her. 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."
