Reform UK recruits Merthyr councillors

REFORM UK leader Nigel Farage used a keynote speech in Wales to announce that two more Welsh councillors have defected.

- RUTH MOSALSKI

Speaking in Port Talbot on Monday, he announced independent councillors Andrew Barry and David Hughes, both members of Merthyr Tydfil council, have joined Reform UK.

They were welcomed to the stage during a speech that has given his first glimpses of policies ahead of the election.

Mr Farage said the party would allow coal-mining again in Wales and says its long-term plan is to “reopen the Port Talbot steel-works”.

Cllr Barry, who has had the cabinet brief for finance, says he has seen “waste” in the system during his time.

He said: “The people making the decisions on those hundreds of thousands of pounds are unelected members of the council. I see Reform as the only opposition in Wales.”

Meanwhile, David Hughes, who had previously had the housing and social services brief, also spoke of “waste” within councils.

“I've come over to Reform because there's so much waste where money is being spent, we need to get into procurement to make sure money is being spent correctly,” he said.

Mr Farage added: “It sounds like every Welsh council needs a Doge.”

The most recent poll for Wales suggests Reform is in line to take its first seats in the Senedd at the election in May 2026.