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South Wales East Senedd Member Laura Anne Jones has defected to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.

Ms Jones, who has served as a Conservative MS for the region since 2020, was unveiled as Reform’s first Senedd Member at the Royal Welsh Show on Tuesday July 22.

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”.

She also confirmed she had not informed anyone in the Welsh Conservatives of her decision to defect, including its Senedd leader Darren Millar.

She called her new leader, Mr Farage, a “great man” who is “saying all the right things”.

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.

Speculation over who will lead Reform into that election remains however, with Mr Farage confirming a leader has yet to be chosen.

Mr Farage said: “Of course a leader will be appointed in Wales… all in good time.”