Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Is Reform UK self-destructing in Wales?
The first defection is so improbable that I had to check twice to make sure that I was reading it correctly. But it is true, Reform UK MS Sarah Cooper-Lesadd, an ex-Tory who represents the Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg constituency (Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan) in the Senedd, has defected to Plaid Cymru.
And just when you thought it couldn't get any worse for Farage's party, the leader of Reform UK in Wales, Dan Thomas announced that he is standing down after he was arrested and bailed on suspicion of assault and engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour.
Mr Thomas told the media that he was quitting the role to avoid becoming "a distraction" to the party, saying in a statement:
“Over the weekend, I was reported to the police and was released without charge.
"I stress that I have done nothing wrong, but I do not want the coming headlines to be a distraction from the fantastic work our Senedd team is doing in holding this government to account.”
The really damning statement though is from new Plaid MS, Sarah Cooper-Lesadd. It is worth quoting in full:
“Today I have left Reform UK and joined Plaid Cymru and its Senedd group.
“I grew up in the care system. I stood for the Senedd to be a voice for care-experienced people, who are still badly under-represented in our politics. I want to improve people’s lives, stand up for people who are overlooked and get things done. My approach is evidence-led and rooted in what works for our communities.
“Reform has no interest in the work I came here to do. They are not serious about governing Wales. They are far more interested in division, opposition and headlines than in finding solutions. There is a real appetite in the group to want the government to fail, and no interest in what that failure would mean for the people we represent.
“They oppose measures without any coherent explanation. I wanted to vote for the supplementary budget, which every party should have supported, and I argued against tabling the Nation of Sanctuary debate, and I was criticised for sitting it out. Having just spoken about my own childhood trauma, I could not in good conscience sit through it.
“I cannot support Reform's attacks on people seeking sanctuary or other vulnerable groups. I particularly reject the way minorities have too often been used as political targets. I do not believe anyone should be scapegoated or dehumanised to win votes, and I will not be part of a politics that does that.
“The party centrally has no interest in Wales. Their Senedd group is a staging post in the effort to get Nigel Farage into Downing Street, and that was glaringly obvious at its conference this week.
“To everyone who voted Reform in May: I have not stopped listening to you. You told me you felt ignored and let down. Those concerns are real, and they will be answered by delivery, not division.
“Wales is a small country with enormous potential. Devolution is how that potential is realised, with decisions made closer to the people they affect.
"I believe in a Wales that is confident, compassionate and ambitious. A Wales that uses the powers it has to improve people’s lives and seeks the powers it still needs.
"Plaid is serious about governing, serious about delivery and serious about Wales. It is a party that believes in our communities and believes Wales can do more when decisions are made closer to the people they affect.
“I know what I am asking of Plaid members who spent May campaigning against the party I stood for, and I will work to earn their trust.
“I came into politics to give people a voice, improve lives and get things done, including for every child growing up in care in Wales today. Plaid Cymru is the best place for me to do that, and I am ready to get to work."
It makes one wonder why she joined Reform UK in the first place.
Postscript: Three Reform UK councillors at Durham County Council have resigned from the party. The resignations came after a Sky News investigation into chaos and allegations of bullying at the council.
