Nigel Farage has come under fire for a video where he jokingly referred to Welsh speakers as “foreigners.” Recorded for a couple’s wedding in 2025, he mentioned avoiding the event due to the number of Welsh guests, describing them as “too many foreigners” and “foreign speakers.” When pressed about the video during a visit to Merthyr Tydfil, Farage insisted, “It was a joke,” and claimed it hadn’t impacted Reform UK’s campaign for the upcoming Senedd elections. He also sarcastically commented he’d avoid making jokes in the future.
The backlash has been swift. Critics highlight that Welsh was spoken in Britain long before English, marking it as anything but foreign. Politicians across parties didn’t hold back. Plaid Cymru slammed Reform as unfit for power in Wales, while the Welsh Conservatives labelled Farage’s remarks as a “gross insult.” Welsh Labour described it as a display of disdain and sneering ignorance towards Wales and its heritage. The Green Party and Welsh Liberal Democrats echoed these sentiments, criticizing Farage’s apparent lack of respect for Welsh culture and language.
Amidst the controversy, Farage remains resolute, stating his ambition for victory in the elections against Plaid Cymru, with Welsh Labour allegedly losing ground. With just weeks until the vote, the political climate in Wales is heating up, and Farage is determined to stay in the fight. How do you view this incident and its potential impact on the upcoming elections? Let us know in the comments!