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Reform UK Wales — Daily News Digest

Reform UK Wales — Daily News Digest

26 July 2026

🔴 Top Stories

1. DanReform ThomasUK AlreadySuffers EyeingHumiliating WestminsterBy-Election Exit?Defeats Across Wales

Source: The New WorldNation.Cymru (126 JulJun 2026) Headline: "HasHumiliating Reform'sdefeats leaderfor Reform UK in WalesWelsh hadcouncil enough already?"by-elections"

DanReform Thomas,UK Reform'swas leaderpushed into third place in Wales,two iscouncil rumouredby-elections totriggered beby eyeingthe upelection aof Westminsterprevious seatReform just weeks after being electedcouncillors to the Senedd.Senedd. CardiffThe Bayparty sourceswon sayonly one of four seats it contested — in Rhyl South, where Tony Thomas —took a formerseat Northpreviously London Conservative council leader personally appointedheld by Labour with 44.3% of the vote.

Results breakdown:

Ward Reform candidate Position Vote Share Winner Llangennech, Carmarthenshire Gavin Rashbrook 3rd 24.2% Plaid Cymru (41.4%) Dowlais & Pant, Merthyr Tydfil Terry Donegan 3rd 18.0% Labour (40.1%) Treorchy, Rhondda Cynon Taf Craig Ford 2nd 16.0% Plaid Cymru (70.8% — landslide) Llanrhaeadr-yng-Nghinmeirch, Denbighshire Nigel Deed 3rd 7.7% Independent (46.2%) Rhyl South, Denbighshire Tony Thomas 1st 44.3% Reform UK GAIN from Labour

Martin Shipton attributes the losses to recent national polling dips, "concerns about extremist statements made by many of its politicians, chaos at councils in England that the party controls and continuing revelations about the £5m donation made to Nigel Farage despiteby notbillionaire havingcrypto livedcurrency inbusinessman WalesChristopher forHarborne."

two

The decadesresults suggest Reform's support may be plateauing — the by-elections were the first electoral test since the party secured 34 Senedd seats on 7 May.

https://nation.cymru/news/humiliating-defeats-for-reform-uk-in-welsh-council-by-elections/

2. Questions Raised Over Reform Candidate's Addresses — Holiday Let Controversy

Source: Nation.Cymru (9 Jun 2026) Headline: "Questions raised over Reform candidate's addresses as only local property is "sniffing around" for a safeholiday seatlet"

should

Reform Andycandidate BurnhamTony callThomas (also the Rhyl South by-election winner above) was accused of misleading voters after listing multiple addresses outside the constituency on election paperwork — including one registered as a snapholiday generallet election.

on

BlueskySykes reactionHoliday (2Cottages Jul):that was available to book on polling day itself.

  • @reformexposed.bsky.social:Election leaflets claim Thomas has "Has Reform's leaderlived in WalesRhyl hadfor enough25 already?years"
DanHis ThomasStatement of Persons Nominated lists a Conwy address; his Appointment of Agents lists a Rhyl address that is saida toholiday beapartment eyeingHe uppreviously contested four elections as a seatWelsh atConservative Westminster just weeks after being elected to the Senedd" (15 likes, 2 replies)candidate @GJdop.bsky.social:Welsh Labour spokesperson: "Reform UK grouphave leaderquestions Danto Thomasanswer yet again following concerns that one of their candidates is misrepresenting themselves to voters. There's a disgustingpattern racist that should be thrown out of the Senedd.here." Thomas did not respond to Nation.Cymru's questions

Thomas previously stood as a Welsh Conservative in the 2021 Senedd election and the Denbighshire County Council elections before defecting to Reform by 2025.

https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/rats-in-nation.cymru/news/questions-raised-over-reform-candidates-addresses-as-only-local-property-is-a-sack-has-reforms-leader-in-wales-had-enough-already/holiday-let/

2.3. Reform'sReform ChaoticWales SeneddFaces DebutData —Breach Tears,Questions WalkoutsAfter &Tory Own-GoalsMembers Receive Party Emails

Source: The GuardianNation.Cymru (2816 Jun 2026) Headline: "Reform Wales faces data breach questions after Tory members receive party emails"

TheSerious Guardian'sdata Walesprotection correspondentconcerns describeshave been raised after Welsh Conservative Party members began receiving press releases from Reform UK's first weeks as Senedd oppositiongroup as— raising the possibility of a "dramaticGDPR firstbreach impression"involving markedthe by:transfer of personal data between parties.

Key details:

  • Multiple Conservative Party members and journalists previously excluded from Reform's media lists received emails carrying Reform's logo and branding
The emails were signed off by a Reform staffer who previously worked for the Welsh Conservatives in Cardiff Bay Several former Welsh Conservative staff have joined Reform's Senedd operation since the May election One recipient was a former media volunteer who never provided their contact details to Reform Reform's data protection department refused to handle the issue, saying it was "not appropriate" Reform's media teams in Wales and Westminster did not respond to questions about whether ex-Tory staff were instructed to obtain or use Tory data

The story follows a pattern of former Welsh Conservative staffers and candidates migrating to Reform — including Zak Weaver, Tomos Llewelyn, and Craig Ford.

https://nation.cymru/news/reform-wales-faces-data-breach-questions-after-tory-members-receive-party-emails/

4. Ex-Tory Staffer Becomes Reform Candidate Days After Quitting Job

Source: Nation.Cymru (4 Jun 2026) Headline: "Ex-Tory staffer becomes Reform candidate days after quitting job"

Craig Ford resigned from his position as senior communications officer in the Welsh Conservative Senedd group at around 5pm on 28 May. By 2 June, he was issuing press releases on behalf of Reform UK's Senedd group. Just five days later, he appeared on the ballot as Reform's candidate for the Treorchy by-election.

Further controversy:

    Ford's candidacy was endorsed by far-right extremist group Voice of Wales, which posted an appeal to Facebook urging voters to back him He joins a pattern of former Welsh Conservative communications staff (Zak Weaver, Tomos Llewelyn) defecting to Reform Nation.Cymru asked Ford if former colleagues encouraged him to quit and if he was pleased with Voice of Wales's support — he did not respond Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson: "This appears to be less a candidate selection process and more a political transfer window… Reform is little more than a retirement home for washed-up Conservatives." Ford came a distant second with 16% in the Treorchy by-election (see point 1)

    The rapid candidate selection has raised fresh questions about Reform's vetting process, which the party has previously described as "brutal" and "intrusive" — despite a series of candidate controversies including Corey Edwards (Nazi salute) and numerous others.

    https://nation.cymru/news/ex-tory-staffer-becomes-reform-candidate-days-after-quitting-job/

    5. Leanne Wood Accuses Llywydd of Letting Reform 'Incite Racism' Unchallenged

    Source: Nation.Cymru (19 Jun 2026) Headline: "Former Plaid leader accuses Llywydd of letting Reform 'incite racism' unchallenged"

    Former Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood criticised the newly elected Llywydd (Presiding Officer) Huw Irranca-Davies, arguing she was expelled from the Chamber in 2004 for calling the Queen "Mrs Windsor" — yet Reform MSs can now "make stuff up and incite racism" with not even a censure.

    The row follows Joe Martin MS's repeated controversial contributions (Caerdyddsee Penarthbelow), MS)including:

    —
    causedClaiming gaspsUkrainian refugees haven't "beheaded people in the streets" but Sudanese asylum seekers have Joking about illiterate students during FMQsa bydebate differentiatingon betweeninternational Ukrainianspending andAlleging SudaneseWelsh refugees,nurses' allegingjobs onlyare thebeing latter commit violent crimes, and asking what the FM would dogiven to avoidIndian "the next inevitable attack". Labour MS Shav Taj struggled to hold back tears responding. Next dayworkers — Martin alleged Welsh students can't read and Indian nurses are taking Welsh jobs, triggering a walkout by Plaid, Labour and Green MSs.MSs Chief Whip

    The LlŷrWelsh PowellGovernment toldsent a formal letter to the BBC:Llywydd asking for an urgent ruling on whether Martin had breached the Senedd's conduct rules. The Llywydd issued a warning to all MSs to "avoid using language that has the potential to inflame debate" but declined to take further action.

    Martin published a defiant statement: "Consensus politicians and media would try to silence and discredit me for standing up for what I believe, and it hasn't deterred me one bit."

    https://nation.cymru/news/former-plaid-leader-accuses-llywydd-of-letting-reform-incite-racism-unchallenged/

    🟡 Ongoing Controversies

    Dan Thomas — Still Appointed, Not Elected, & Westminster Exit Rumours Persist

      Dan Thomas was appointed Reform's Wales leader by Nigel Farage — no internal election was held Bluesky reaction continues: @gerryhassan (22 Jun, 467 likes, 136 reposts): "Strange that Reform ex-Tory Suella Braverman chooses to it.ignore It'sthat Nigel Farage never bothered with the 'newinconvenience norm'.of a leadership election when he became leader of Reform. Or when Malcolm Offord was imposed as leader of Reform Scotland & Dan Thomas in Wales by Farage." Own-goalRumours voteThomas —is one-third of Reform MSs voted against their own party oneyeing a PlaidWestminster Cymruseat childcareremain motionunconfirmed thatbut includedpersistent an(source: amendmentThe notingNew "ReformWorld, UK1 had no commitments on childcare in its Welsh manifesto".Jul) ReformHe willcontinues to make headlines for chaircontroversial 5stances: ofcalling 13for Seneddthe committees,Ukraine including Climate Change — widely expectedflag to be "ugly"removed given Reform's climate denial. Martin has since been rebuked byfrom the SeneddSenedd, llywyddbacking (presidingthe officer).scrapping of

      https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/28/reform-uk-makes-dramatic-first-impression-in-senedd-opposition-role

      3.the Nation of Sanctuary Debateprogramme, and agreeing to be interviewed by a far-right activist after a Merthyr Tydfil rally

      Joe Martin MS — ReformRacism DefeatedAccusations (1& JulCommittee 2026)Appointment

      ReformStatus: ledLlywydd issued a Seneddwarning; debateformal andcomplaint motion calling for thefrom Welsh Government tounresolved

      scrap

      Joe itsMartin Nation(Caerdydd Penarth) remains at the centre of Sanctuarythe programme.Senedd's Themost motionserious wasconduct defeated — MSs voted to keep Wales committed to supporting refugees.

      Bluesky / Nitter reaction:row:

      • @RUKWales16 (officialJun: ReformMade UK"vile" Walesremarks account):about "WeSudanese madeasylum seekers during FMQs — Labour MS Shav Taj became visibly emotional
      17 Jun: MSs walked out during his speech on international spending; joked about illiterate students and claimed Welsh nurses' jobs going to India Appointed to the commitment.Equality, NowHuman weRights areand makingSocial Justice Committee — the case.very Reformcommittee Wales in the Senedd, demanding an end toscrutinising the Nation of Sanctuary."Sanctuary (369policy likes,he 41wants replies)scrapped Rhun ap Iorwerth (First Minister):Minister responded: "The ugly language of 'them' / 'us' peddled in the Senedd by Reform UK has no place in Wales. It's divisive and dangerous, and my gov't will always challenge it."Wales" (530 likes, 91 retweets) @nation.cymru: "A Plaid Cymru MS has called out the 'bullshit' and misinformation being spread about the Nation of Sanctuary policy ahead of a Reform-led debate." @Newyddion S4C: "Mae Reform Wales wedi galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i ddiddymu'r cynllun Cenedl Noddfa." @Huwspari: "Reform Wales? What exactly is it, apart from a Twitter name? No mention of it on the Senedd staff adverts…"

      https://nation.cymru/news/senedd-rejects-reform-uk-bid-to-scrap-the-nation-of-sanctuary-programme/

      4. Laura Anne Jones — Racial Slur Suspension (Pending)

      Status: Facing 14-day suspension fromwithout the Senedd

      Jones, Reform's only MS (defected from Tories Jul 2025), was investigated by the Senedd Standards Commissionerpay for using a racial slur about Chinese people in a 2023 WhatsApp conversation while still a Conservative inMS. 2023.

        Suspension is from the debating chamber (Siambr) and without pay Jones chokedmaintains back tears as the ban was confirmed She has publicly insisted: "I am not a racist"racist." Suspension

        Sources:period https://nation.cymru/news/reform-ms-facing-suspension-without-pay-for-bringing-senedd-into-disrepute/has https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/i-am-not-racist-says-33219606not https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/reform-racist-slur-laura-anne-jones-b2863703.htmlyet been served.

        🟡 Ongoing Controversies

        Joe Martin — "Vile" Remarks & Committee Appointment

        Reform MS Joe Martin was criticised for making "vile" remarks about asylum seekers during FMQs. He was then appointed to the Equality, Human Rights and Social Justice Committee — the very committee that scrutinises the Nation of Sanctuary policy he wants scrapped. Critics called the appointment a "mockery".

        https://nation.cymru/news/reform-ms-accused-of-making-vile-and-disturbing-remarks-about-asylum-seekers-during-fmqs/ https://nation.cymru/news/reform-ms-accused-of-racist-comments-appointed-to-scrutinise-nation-of-sanctuary-policy/

        Nathan Gill — Russian Bribery ConvictionAsset (Historical)

        Former Reform UK's formerWales leader in Wales, Nathan Gill,Gill wasis sentencedserving to 10½ years for taking bribes to make pro-Russia speeches. TheFrequently case remains a lingering stain and is frequently referencedcited by critics.

        opponents

        Blueskyas post (21 Jun) via @antireform.bsky.social: "Remember Nathan Gill 'Reform UK's former leader in Wales sentenced to 10-and-a-half years for taking bribes for pro-Russia speeches'… the suspicionevidence of RussianReform's moneyRussia funnelled to the Brexit campaign…"links.

        Ukraine

        NoFlag Elected Leader in WalesControversy

        Reform UK has no elected leader in Wales — Dan Thomas wasand appointedCai directlyParry-Jones bycalled Nigel Farage. Nation.Cymru describedfor the decisionUkrainian as "disrespectfulflag to Welshbe voters"removed from outside the Senedd, calling it "virtue signalling". The Senedd confirmed no plans to change arrangements. Zelensky himself has since urged Reform-run councils in England to reverse similar decisions, saying "little, small mistakes can break big friendship." (Nation.Cymru, 8 Jun 2026)

        https://nation.cymru/opinion/news/zelensky-urges-reform-uks-decision-not-councils-to-elect-a-leader-in-wales-is-disrespectful-to-welsh-voters/rethink-ukrainian-flag-removals-after-senedd-rejected-similar-calls/

        📋 Pre-Election Infighting (Archive)

        Date Story Source Mar 2026 "Reform in chaos as infighting erupts over Senedd candidate selections" — members warned of growing "chaos" behind the scenes Nation.Cymru Mar 2026 Corey Edwards (Reform candidate) stood down after Nazi salute photo emerged Guardian Feb 2026 Ceredigion & Pembrokeshire branch chair resigned months before Senedd election Nation.Cymru Feb 2026 "Senior Reform figure accused of authoritarianism" — David Thomas, Campaign Director for Wales, appointed by Zia Yusuf without elections for branch chairs Nation.Cymru 2025 Reform UK candidates quitting in Wales — "election chaos" The English Chronicle

        🔗 Bluesky / X Discourse (26 Jul 2026)

        Bluesky highlights:

        • @K M

          @gerryhassan Flett:(22 Jun): "DanStrange Thomasthat formerReform ex-Tory Suella Braverman chooses to ignore that Nigel Farage never bothered with the inconvenience of a leadership election when he became leader of theReform. disastrousOr 'Easywhen Council'Malcolm Offord was imposed as leader of Reform Scotland & Dan Thomas in BarnetWales is continuing his tour of destruction as Reform 'leader' in the Senedd. Who voted for him to be the leader? It was one person, one vote:by Farage." (467 likes, 136 reposts)

        • @Russell England:

          @NationCymru (5 May): "Reform UK LtdWales wentleader fromDan 0Thomas agreed to 30%be interviewed by one of Wales' most notorious far-right activists following a rally this week in Merthyr Tydfil addressed by Nigel Farage ✍️ Martin Shipton" (8 likes, 6 reposts)

        @cwiar.org (12 Jun): "We are aware that Reform UK Wales has tabled a Senedd motion to formally agree with the EHRC Guidance… This uses horrible language which has no place in Welsh democracy."

        @MichaelPowell (28 May): "Make sure you send an invitation to Dan Thomas erstwhile leader of Reform UK Wales and local resident of Bath…" — raising the recurring question of Thomas's Welsh residency

        @DailyHerald (1 May): "Reform UK Wales leader Dan Thomas has received a social media trouncing after trying to make political capital out of knife attacks on two Jewish men in London."

        @UnionJane (25 May): "Reform UK's Dan Thomas wants to get rid of the seatsUkraine inflag from the Senedd electionCymru inbuilding. May.The Theyfar areright nowhate theour officialNation oppositionof inSanctuary Wales. And they are behaving as expected. They also chair the Welsh climate change committee, how on earth did that happen?status…"

        @Plaid Cymru

        @TandBNewsForUK (official,11 2Feb, Jul)Welsh-language post): "WhileDywedodd arweinydd Reform wantCymru… wrth The Phone In ar BBC Radio Wales fod y bygythiadau'n cynnwys un i losgi ei gartref gyda'i deulu y tu mewn." — Thomas's family received death threats including a threat to turnburn theirdown backshis onhome

        the people fleeing war and persecution, Plaid Cymru will always uphold international law and support those in need." @TAFF: "So typical of reform wanting Cymru to turn our back on those in need. We are not England, so f**k you reform!"

        X / Nitter highlights:

        • @PoliticalWales (2discourse: Jul,Rhun 4pm):ap AnalysisIorwerth's line on "the ugly language of Plaid'them' Cymru'/ 'us'" has become the defining rebuttal, shared and quoted widely
        "The botched past of Reform UK's strategyLeader toin bypassWales: WelshDan LabourThomas" — notesarticle thatbeing betweencirculated Reformon and Plaid, "no Labour MPs will keep their seats" at the next general election in Wales.X

        📊 Quick Stats

        Metric Figure
        Reform Senedd seats 34 / 96
        Vote share (2026) 29% (up from 1% in 2021)
        Official status Leader of the Opposition
        Committees chaired 5 / 13
        Party leader in Wales Dan Thomas (appointed,appointed by Farage, not elected)
        Senedd leader of Reform Dan Thomas Chief Whip Llŷr Powell Recent by-election record 1 win, 4 losses (Jun 2026) Support ceiling estimate ~30% (State of Wales analysis, Owen Donovan)

        📋 Sources

        1. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/28/nation.cymru/news/humiliating-defeats-for-reform-uk-makes-dramatic-first-impression-in-senedd-opposition-role
        https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/rats-in-a-sack-has-reforms-leader-in-wales-had-enough-already/welsh-council-by-elections/ https://nation.cymru/news/senedd-rejects-questions-raised-over-reform-uk-bid-to-scrap-the-nation-of-sanctuary-programme/candidates-addresses-as-only-local-property-is-a-holiday-let/ https://nation.cymru/news/reform-in-chaos-as-infighting-erupts-over-senedd-candidate-selections/wales-faces-data-breach-questions-after-tory-members-receive-party-emails/ https://nation.cymru/news/ex-tory-staffer-becomes-reform-ms-facing-suspension-without-pay-for-bringing-senedd-into-disrepute/candidate-days-after-quitting-job/ https://nation.cymru/news/senior-former-plaid-leader-accuses-llywydd-of-letting-reform-figure-accused-of-authoritarianism-amid-internal-row-over-welsh-branch-chairs/ https://nation.cymru/news/reform-regional-chair-steps-down/ https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/reform-racist-slur-laura-anne-jones-b2863703.html https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/i-am-not-racist-says-33219606incite-racism-unchallenged/ https://nation.cymru/news/reform-ms-accused-of-making-vile-and-disturbing-remarks-about-asylum-seekers-during-fmqs/ https://nation.cymru/news/senedd-rejects-reform-ms-accused-of-racist-comments-appointed-uk-bid-to-scrutinise-scrap-the-nation-of-sanctuary-policy/programme/ https://parliamentnews.co.uk/nation.cymru/news/zelensky-urges-reform-uk-councils-to-rethink-ukrainian-flag-removals-after-senedd-debut-controversy/rejected-similar-calls/ https://nation.cymru/news/reform-mocked-as-third-of-mss-back-attack-on-their-own-manifesto/ https://stateofwales.com/2026/05/senedd-2026-after-action-report-reform-uk/ https://theenglishchronicle.com/News/18429/www.thenewworld.co.uk/rats-in-a-sack-has-reforms-leader-in-wales-had-enough-already/ https://nation.cymru/opinion/news/reform-uks-decision-not-to-elect-a-leader-in-wales-is-disrespectful-to-chaos-as-infighting-erupts-over-senedd-candidate-selections/ https://nation.cymru/news/senior-reform-figure-accused-of-authoritarianism-amid-internal-row-over-welsh-voters/branch-chairs/ https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/28/reform-uk-makes-dramatic-first-impression-in-senedd-opposition-role
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