**Senior Conservative Senedd Member Laura Anne Jones Defects to Reform UK Party**
In a dramatic development on the Welsh political stage, Conservative Senedd member Laura Anne Jones has announced her defection to Reform UK, marking a significant shift ahead of next year’s Welsh elections. The news broke during the bustling Royal Welsh Show, where Ms Jones appeared alongside Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to share her decision with the public and gathered press.
Jones, who represents South East Wales in the Senedd, has been a consistent Conservative voice for over three decades. Speaking candidly, she expressed her sense of disillusionment with the direction of her former party, stating, “The Conservative Party is no longer recognisable to me.” In a poignant reflection, Jones commented that she could “no longer be part of the problem” and that “Wales needs Reform”—delineating her new-found commitment to being “part of the solution”.
Making her revelation without prior notice to her Conservative colleagues or the group leader in Wales, Darren Millar, Jones underscored the personal and political weight of her move. She openly admitted she had not informed her party before stepping up to address the press. Her decision makes her likely to become the first member of the Senedd to represent Reform UK, marking a noteworthy milestone for the party in Wales.
Nigel Farage, who has been re-energising Reform UK’s platform since resuming leadership, welcomed Jones to the fold. “Laura brings conviction, she brings passion, and crucially, she knows how the Senedd works,” he told journalists. While Farage declined to name a leader for Wales during the announcement, he suggested that decisions would unfold “in good time”.
Farage also used the day’s high profile to appeal to a broader constituency. As the hustle and bustle of the Royal Welsh Show continued around him, he urged Welsh farmers and rural voices to step forward as candidates for Reform UK in the upcoming election. “We want Welsh farming voices represented,” he stressed, encouraging participation from those who feel overlooked by the established parties.
Recent political polling has indicated a surge in support for Reform UK in Wales, with successive surveys suggesting the party could become a major contender—and even potentially the largest party—at the Senedd election scheduled for May 2026. Notably, these polls reflect a surprising shift, with Labour projected to be relegated to third place, trailing both Reform UK and Plaid Cymru.
Wales’ First Minister, Eluned Morgan, responded sharply to the prospect of Reform UK’s rise, describing the party as a “serious threat—not just to Labour, but to Wales itself.” Speaking to Sky News, Morgan expressed concern about the future of policies like free prescriptions and school meals for primary pupils, warning they could be at risk should Reform UK come to power. “We’re taking the threat from Reform very seriously,” she said.
Jones’ political journey has not been without controversy; she has faced criticism over Senedd expenses and comments to party colleagues. When questioned at the Royal Welsh Show press conference, Jones acknowledged the existence of a report into her conduct but expressed confidence in a positive outcome. “That’s why I am here today,” she maintained.
Her defection comes at a time of increasing volatility in Welsh and UK politics, potentially signalling an era of further realignments. As Wales approaches a pivotal election, all parties—Conservative, Labour, Plaid Cymru, and Reform UK—are likely to redouble efforts to energise their grassroot supporters and win voter confidence in a shifting landscape.