Nazi salutes and racial slurs: Meet the Reform candidates hoping to oust Labour from the Senedd in Wales

“Wales is at a crossroads, but our best days are ahead with the Reformation,” the party’s Welsh leader, Dan Thomas, said this week as he announced his list of 96 candidates for seats in the Senedd in six weeks.

Such expectations and confidence may seem misplaced for a party that includes only two of the Senedd’s 60 members.

But thanks to voters’ growing despair over Sir Keir Starmer and the success of last year’s local elections in England, hopes have risen at Reform UK HQ that turquoise and white will rise in the modern Welsh parliament in the May 7 election.

Armed with a manifesto that includes key policies such as scrapping the country’s controversial 20mph speed limit and ending Wales’s Land of Sanctuary status, a safe and welcoming place for asylum seekers and refugees, Mr Farage branded the election as a referendum on the prime minister’s premiership. But it needs suitable candidates to win the seats.

Mr Farage, who has been forced to drop a number of candidates in the UK general election in 2024, has been clear about getting the vetting process right for the Welsh election, describing it as “absolutely important”. report with Policy Home Page. He also enlisted TV star Jeremy Kyle to help with the party’s media training, according to the press.

But a look at the number of Reform candidates in the 16 constituencies reveals some interesting characters who are no strangers to controversy.

These included Reform’s Bont Bro Morgannwg lead candidate Corey Edwards, who worked for former Welsh Secretary David TC Davies between November 2022 and October 2023 and has experience in UK government roles, according to LinkedIn.

His announcement as a candidate was marred by a photo of him giving a Nazi salute, which surfaced online less than a day later.

When Independent When approached by Reform UK Wales, the party issued a statement on behalf of Mr Edwards. In it he said: “A photo was shared from years ago that I realized looked bad and could be misinterpreted.

“The Nazi regime was the most barbaric regime ever and I will never underestimate or minimize its severity. My beloved grandfather fought against the Nazis and his brother-in-law was a prisoner of war. “I am a staunch defender of Judaism and I am disturbed to see openly anti-Semitic marches taking place on the streets of Britain recently.

“I am proud of the person I am today and the values ​​I represent, and I hope people will judge me on my professionalism in how I conduct myself as a candidate and the contribution I can make moving forward.”

The spokesperson also said: “We [Reform UK Wales] “I’m not willing to write people off forever for the mistakes they made when they were young.”

A day after the photo emerged, Mr Edwards said he would no longer stand.

A spokesperson for Reform UK Wales said: “Corey Edwards has informed us that he is withdrawing from standing for elections to the Senedd this May, citing mental health issues. “We wish him good luck for the future and hope his privacy will be respected at this difficult time.”

Francesca O’Brien, the party’s leading candidate for Gwyr Abertawe, left the Conservative Party three years ago to become Swansea’s first Reform councillor. Appearing as a local champion on social media, she regularly keeps residents informed about council issues, from questions she asks in the room on supporting farmers to speeches and television appearances. However, some of the media work has been questioned.

in january that was accused Comparing asylum seekers to people who deliberately use deepfake platforms to sexualise children during a discussion on the ITV program about artificial intelligence chatbot Grok Sharp Tip.

Referring to government minister and fellow panellist Ken Skates saying tougher rules were needed to protect safety, he said: “On the safety of women and children… it’s a bit ridiculous that we’re saying we need to keep women and children safe when there’s mass uncontrolled immigration into the UK.”

Mr Skates responded: “Frankly I’m astounded by this. I’m afraid it’s disgusting to compare asylum seekers to people who deliberately use deepfake platforms to sexualise children.”

Ms O’Brien defended herself, saying her claim was a “genuine concern” and that it was not “disgusting”. He added: “I don’t think people watching would agree with that either.”

In 2019, before representing the Conservative Party in the election for the seat of Gower, Ms O’Brien got into trouble when she said in a social media post that people were at the party. Advantages Street The reality TV show was supposed to be “humiliated”.

He said in a statement at the time: “These comments were made a number of years ago. However, I accept that the language I used was unacceptable and I would like to apologize for any upset I have caused.”

When you approach Independent This week a Reform UK Wales spokesperson responded on her behalf and did not address her past comments but said: “Francesca is a hard-working community champion who serves her residents as a councillor. The people of Wales have been ignored by Plaid and Labor and their candidates like Francesca, who have given these people a voice once again by opposing the default 20mph speed limit and fighting to lower the cost of living.”

Reform MP Laura Anne Jones, the party’s leading candidate for Sir Fynwy Torfaen, was also forced to apologize for her previous comments. In December, he issued an apology after being suspended for two weeks from the Senedd for a racial slur in a WhatsApp group in 2023.

These remarks were about the Chinese and were made before he left the Conservatives.

Ms Jones said: “As for the language I regrettably used in private WhatsApp messages, I would like to take this opportunity to apologize once again for that in this room,” Ms Jones said, adding that she and her staff had completed Senedd respect and behavior training.

The party’s sixth candidate in Gwyr Abertawe is Scott Thorley, who is a councilor on Havardfordwest Borough Council and, following his by-election victory last month, is also a Reform councilor on Pembrokeshire County Council.

She’s vocal on Facebook, updating her 328 followers on everything from parking fees to local business events. He also seems unimpressed by entering politics, as he often reflects on his dealings with criticism.

But it seemed like a huge exaggeration when he wrote in June that he was withdrawing from Reform after the assassination of American right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk. Nation Cymru reported He said he wrote a post, then deleted it and said: “I decided not to stand in the Senedd next year. Just before I hit send, I thought about everything that would come with it. Will my family be safe? Will my life fall apart? Is it worth the risk?”

“I guess Charlie Kirk being murdered by a brainwashed lunatic made me realize what’s important.”

When Independent He said he took a brief “step back” from the party when he asked the councilor about his comments and said it was because his wife was “worried about someone doing something stupid.” He added: “I don’t think he thought I was going to get shot but he was worried something might happen to him or me and that was obviously worrying.”

He said the upcoming election was “really exciting” and added: “I think most people [in Wales] Those who get up in the morning and go to work just want the basic work done right. They want a future for their children. “They want good schools, good hospitals and good local services.”

Reform’s candidates for the Senedd range widely in age and experience, starting with 20-year-old Owen Clatworthy, who was voted in as Bridgend County Borough’s youngest ever councilor last year. interview published with Wales Online Last year he said he grew up in care and now wants to enter politics to make a change.

Applicant Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg He said: “I’m not a career politician with written answers, I just think that’s what I am and what people want. I’m sure some will stereotype me because I’m young but I have life experience and I think we need more young people getting involved in politics to blend new ideas with experience.”

At the other end of the row is Patrick Benham-Crosswell, representing Gwyr Abertawe, who served as a British officer for 12 years. He is the author of six books, one about why he joined the Brexit Party and the other about the costs and consequences of the UK’s zero emissions target.

In an interview Published on Wales Online The 62-year-old, who came second to Labor in the 2024 Swansea West general election last year, said: “The British, and particularly the Welsh, are incredibly kind and tolerant. I think I only had one leaflet ripped out.”