Senedd Election 2021 party profile: Reform UK

Reform UK backs devolution – but not further lockdowns

Founded as the Brexit Party two and a half years ago, the party rebranded as Reform UK earlier this year.

Soon after founding, the party enjoyed success in the 2019 European elections in Wales, winning two of the four seats on offer and winning more votes than any other party.

In the Senedd, the party gained four Senedd Members, who had defected from UKIP. But disagreements over the party’s anti-devolution stance split the party.

South Wales East MS Mark Reckless, who is now an Abolish candidate, was at one time the party’s leader in the Senedd.

David Rowlands, who also represented the South Wales East region, originally joined the party from UKIP, but in October last year, joined the new ‘Independent Alliance for Reform’ in the Senedd.

Mr Rowlands, despite joining the new group, remained a member of the party.

In its manifesto for the upcoming Senedd Elections, the party has come out in support of keeping the Senedd – but want to see it reformed.

The party has said abolishing devolution “would be a step backwards for Wales”.

Islwyn candidate James Wells, who is a former Member of European Parliament, said: “The Brexit Party delivered on its promise to hold the UK Government to account and deliver Brexit. We have changed our name to Reform UK and our mission now is to reform politics in Wales.”

“Our leading policies from our manifesto are no more lockdowns, reforming local and central government and investing in the NHS to reduce operation waiting times”.

The party’s leader in Wales, Nathan Gill, previously served as a UKIP Senedd Member and later as an MEP. He also stood for the Brexit Party in Caerphilly at the 2019 UK General Election.

He said: “After nearly a quarter of a century of Labour rule in Wales, it is time to try something different, which is exactly what Reform UK is offering”.

Tim Price is standing in Caerphilly; James Wells in Islwyn, and Colin Jones in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney.