Senedd has first Reform UK MS as Tory defects

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.

- By RUTH MOSALSKI and CATHY OWEN

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.”