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The leader of the Conservative group in the Senedd has said he is “disappointed” after Tory MS Laura Anne Jones defected to Reform UK.

South Wales East representative Ms Jones announced the move at the Royal Welsh Show on Tuesday July 22, alongside Reform leader Nigel Farage and David Jones – a former UK Tory cabinet secretary.

At her unveiling, Ms Jones confirmed she had not informed any of her Tory colleagues of her defection, including Senedd group leader Darren Millar – who reportedly only found out the news while it was being announced publicly.

In a statement issued less than half an hour after news broke, Mr Millar said: “Naturally, I’m disappointed by Laura’s decision, and Conservative Party members and voters in South East Wales will feel very let down by her announcement.”

He continued: “The Welsh Conservatives will not allow this to distract us from our national mission to boot Labour out and fix Wales.

“In the meantime, we wish Laura all the very best in her new high tax and high spend party.”

Ms Jones, who has served as a Conservative MS for the region since 2020, becomes Reform’s only Senedd Member.

In a press unveiling, Ms Jones said the Conservatives were a party she “no longer recognised” and she could “no longer justify” what the party was doing.

Ms Jones also said her defection was “about the people of Wales” – and her new party “speaks to me”.

Ms Jones had previously announced she has been selected to stand for Monmouthshire and Torfaen for the Conservatives, but now said she was unsure where she would stand at next year’s Senedd elections.

‘Desperate’

Ms Jones’ change of allegiance has drawn criticisms from other opposition parties in the Senedd, namely Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats.

Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth described it as “yet another desperate Tory defection” and said Ms Jones: “knows the writing is on the wall for their party’s prospects next May.”

He added: “Our national parliament is not a plaything for those who want to set Wales on a road to ruin.”

Meanwhile Lib Dem MP David Chadwick, who is his party’s spokesperson, said the move proves the Conservatives are “clearly dead as a political force in Wales”.

The Brecon, Radnor, and Cwm Tawe MP continued: “Reform has no answers for Wales, just more noise, division, and is seemingly now only a vehicle for failed Conservative politicians.

“For voters who feel the Conservatives have abandoned them and are appalled by Reform, our door is open.”