**Nigel Farage Announces Reform UK Will Appoint Welsh Leader—But Not Until After Election**
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has confirmed that his party will appoint a distinct Welsh leader, but has stated voters will not know who that individual is before the 2026 Senedd election. The announcement comes amid growing speculation over the party’s future direction in Wales, particularly as opinion polls suggest Reform UK is on the verge of making significant gains in the upcoming contest.
Speaking on Tuesday at the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells, Mr Farage appeared alongside Laura Anne Jones, the Conservative Senedd Member for South Wales East, who revealed she was defecting to Reform UK. This high-profile defection marks another blow for the Welsh Conservative Party and positions Reform as a gathering force within the Senedd.
Farage described the day as a “big step forward” for Reform in Wales. While the party has been under mounting pressure to publicly name its prospective Welsh leader, Farage remained steadfast, indicating that the process would not be rushed. “Reform is a relatively young party, we’ve just about got beyond start-up phase, and of course a leader will be appointed in Wales. But the answer is all in good time,” he told assembled journalists.
He went on to clarify that the appointment of a leader would follow the selection and eventual election of Senedd members. “For the moment, David is our elder statesman, and I will be here a lot between now and next May. We’ll see from the 96 that are selected, from those who get elected we will, of course, have a Welsh leader—but not just yet,” Farage explained. The reference to David Jones, a former Welsh Secretary and recent Conservative defector to Reform, signals the party’s strategy of employing political experience while remaining agile in its leadership plans.
Laura Anne Jones, when pressed on whether she would put herself forward for the leadership role, remained non-committal, stating, “We’ll have to see what happens, won’t we?” This measured response typified the party’s cautious approach to its internal arrangements ahead of a crucial campaign.
The 2026 Senedd election will break new ground, taking place under altered boundaries with an expanded assembly—growing from 60 to 96 members. According to recent polling, both Reform UK and Plaid Cymru are emerging as serious contenders to challenge Eluned Morgan’s Labour Party, which has suffered from slipping poll numbers. In fact, three consecutive surveys have seen Labour relegated to third place—a significant shift in the Welsh political landscape.
Farage used his appearance at the Royal Welsh Show to urge greater agricultural representation in the party, inviting farmers to stand as candidates. “We will, between now and next May, get farmers directly involved, and we also want Welsh farming voices to put their names forward,” he said. Highlighting the practical knowledge of people like Laura Anne Jones, Farage stated, “We also need people who know how the place works or doesn’t work, I don’t know, and Laura is the first of those to be with us.”
It is evident that Farage sees Jones as bringing renewed energy and authenticity to the party, noting that she “brings passion” and is “energised to do this.” Such endorsements could play well with grassroots voters seeking an alternative to the traditionally dominant parties.
During the press conference, Mr Farage also spoke critically of the Conservative Party and its recent reshuffle, arguing that many shadow cabinet members remain unknown to the broader public. “Nobody is talking about them. If you look at the polls, they’re sliding—sort of 17 or 16 percent; they’ve got further to go down, and I believe after May next year they will cease to be a national party,” he claimed, drawing attention to the increasingly fragmented nature of centre-right politics in the UK.
As Reform UK prepares for what could be its most important election campaign in Wales, questions remain regarding transparency and leadership. The decision to withhold the identity of a Welsh leader until after the public vote may become a touchstone issue for critics and supporters alike. Nonetheless, with new candidates, renewed vigour, and a promise of change, Reform UK is poised to rewrite the rules of Welsh politics—albeit with a few mysteries yet to be solved.