Reform UK makes dramatic first impression in Senedd opposition role | Welsh politics
Tears, strikes, own votes: the Welsh parliament has only been sitting for a few weeks, but Reform UK has already made a dramatic first impression in its new role as the official Senedd opposition.
Plaid Cymru won the historic Welsh election in May, ending 100 years of Labor dominance and thwarting the momentum of runner-up Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. It aimed to become the largest party in Wales but still outperformed every Welsh Conservative party on record, increasing its vote share from 1% in 2021 to 29% in 2026.
With more than a third of the seats in the newly expanded parliament, the Senedd is now the largest political platform the Reformation has ever had. Some of their new MS wasted no time in making their mark.
“It is no surprise that new voices that challenge long-standing consensus will attract criticism from the establishment,” said Reform UK Wales leader Dan Thomas.
Caerdydd Penarth’s Reform Representative Joe Martins drew gasps from many of his political rivals and the public viewing gallery during first minister’s questions last week when he distinguished between Ukrainian and Sudanese refugees. claiming only the latter commits violent crimes and asks what Rhun ap Iorwerth will do to avoid “the next inevitable attack”.
Shav Taj, the Labor Party member next on the speakers list, struggled to hold back tears as he responded by talking about his own parents’ immigration experiences.
“Connecting the immigration issue with the Nation of Sanctuary [a Welsh government initiative] and… some of the disgusting things we just heard are actually really shocking,” he said.
In the debate the following day, Martins continued in a similar vein, claiming that Welsh students were illiterate and that Indian nurses were working in Welsh jobs. The comments triggered a walkout by some upset Plaid Cymru, Labor and Green MS.
Martins has since been reprimanded by the Senedd llywydd (chairman) and remained silent in the general assembly. But following a formal Plaid Cymru complaint, Reform chief whip Llŷr Powell said the rest of Siambr [debating chamber] It takes “getting used to it”.
“I haven’t heard anything that I think crosses the line… Get used to it. The words I use are ‘new norm’,” he told the BBC.
Taj said: “The Senedd is a circus at the moment. That’s clear [Reform] is looking for clickbait moments for followers and shares. Some of them are clearly not serious people… This is a public space and there is parliamentary privilege, but it is also a workplace. “It’s about setting the tone and you need to use parliamentary language.”
Thomas said: “Reform Wales operates within the rules of the Senedd and focuses on presenting reasoned, evidence-based arguments on behalf of the people we represent.
“[We] I believe this is part of a healthy democracy. Our role is to raise concerns and present perspectives that, in many cases, are not properly represented in the Senedd. “We will continue to do this constructively, within the standards expected of elected members.”
More charitable observers noted that the group was still finding its feet, as all but two of the group (Conservative defectors) were new to the Senedd.
Some Reform Members stunned the rest of the chamber by opposing their own party in last week’s vote.
In Plaid Cymru’s debate ambitious child care plansA third of Reform voted in favor of a motion that included an amendment stating that there was “no commitment to childcare in Reform UK’s manifesto for Wales”.
Political journalist and author Will Hayward said: “I strongly suspect that the 11 people who voted against their own party either did not understand the motion or accidentally voted the wrong way.”
While the Senedd was established to encourage cross-party cooperation (so far no party has won an outright majority), it is still unclear how cooperative or combative the new parliament will be. Plaid Cymru’s minority government already We face an uphill battle In his first big test: getting the supplemental budget passed next month. He needs at least one party to support him, and Reform has no reason to play ball so far.
He will chair five of the 13 Senedd committees, including reform, climate change, environment, sustainability and rural affairs. A parliamentary source said it was expected to be “outrageous” given Reform’s opposition to net zero and some of its politicians’ outspoken denial of climate change.
Thomas may lead Reform in the Senedd, but the party’s ultimate decision-maker is Nigel Farage, said Laura McAllister, professor of public policy at Cardiff University.
“Chaos or bad behavior in the Senedd is not a good sell, even to the Reform base, because while people are ready to see Reform as a populist rebel party, having the keys to Number 10 is completely different,” he said.
“They need to convince people that they have the discipline and gravitas to work properly and if they can’t do that in Wales, I think Farage understands it will affect his chances.”
The Reform motion, which calls for the creation of a new legal lobbying register, was quickly passed with cross-party support. But the group also tabled a discussion about the state of Wales next week. sanctuary program countryThe organization, which primarily helps Ukrainian refugees, has long been the target of ire from the right.
Many in the room were bracing for what Plaid MS called “inflammatory and dangerous rhetoric.”
Peredur Owen Griffiths, Plaid Cymru MS for Casnewydd Islwyn, who has been MS since 2021, said: “The atmosphere in the Senedd has changed, but this was to be expected. 70% new members among all parties.
“What is unclear is [Reform] they struggle with new expectations or ignore them. “It would be concerning if this trend continues.”
