Anti-racism campaigners challenge appointment as Cllr Scott Thorley hits back

A PETITION has been launched calling for a review of co-option procedures at Haverfordwest Town Council after a Reform UK candidate was appointed to a vacant seat.

Scott Thorley, who stood for Reform UK in February’s Prendergast by-election, was co-opted to the town council on Thursday (Apr 17). Just two days later, political graffiti appeared at Withybush Retail Park—where he works—prompting further controversy.

The petition, organised by campaign group West Wales Stand Up to Racism, claims Thorley’s appointment is incompatible with Wales’ national commitment to building an anti-racist society. It calls on Pembrokeshire County Council to reaffirm its support for the Welsh Government’s Anti-racist Wales Action Plan (AWAP), and for the town council to review its procedures to ensure future co-options reflect “ethical governance and inclusivity”.

Campaigners have highlighted Reform UK’s opposition to the AWAP, which they describe as a key equality strategy aimed at eradicating systemic racism in Wales by 2030. The party has publicly criticised aspects of the plan, including measures designed to increase ethnic minority representation in teaching and public life.

Graffiti messages reading “KEIR STARMER OUT, REFORM IN! GOD SAVE US” and “VOTE REFORM” were found sprayed in large letters across retail park walls on Saturday (Apr 19), two days after Thorley’s appointment.

Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald, Thorley strongly condemned the vandalism: “Whoever has done this, it is vandalism plain and simple. It doesn’t help us—it’s embarrassing.”

In response to the petition, Thorley issued a statement in full: “As I have been invited to help on the anti-racist action plan by Councillor Randell Thomas-Turner, I’m really confused by their comments. I’m very much looking forward to helping integrate communities together in Haverfordwest using food, drink, culture, music and talking.

“In my experience from dealing with them they are far from fighting racism. Just because they say they’re anti-racist doesn’t mean they are—just as much as Jim Jones said he was the messiah.

“They don’t stand for election or try and join the town councils—they are cowards and try to bully people into changing their opinions.

“Politics is about talking and helping people. They need to grow up, take their Che Guevara posters off their walls at home, and stop acting like stroppy teenagers.”

Reform UK has been openly critical of the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan, arguing that it promotes what they describe as divisive “identity politics.” The party objects to measures such as offering higher education grants to ethnic minority trainee teachers, which they claim amounts to racial preference and undermines equality based on merit.

Reform figures have also criticised proposals to alter public spaces to accommodate cultural sensitivities, saying such policies are impractical and distract from core public concerns. Supporters of the plan argue it is a necessary step to address systemic racism and promote fairer opportunities across all sectors of Welsh society.

The petition, remains open and has been circulated online by local campaigners, comes just days after Reform UK achieved a significant breakthrough in West Wales. On May 29, Michelle Beer won a by-election in the Lliedi ward of Llanelli, becoming the first Reform UK councillor elected to Carmarthenshire County Council. Her victory marked a notable gain for the party in a traditionally Labour stronghold, reflecting its growing presence in Welsh local politics.

Reform UK has not issued a separate comment.

PHOTO CAPTION:
Under fire: Scott Thorley, pictured earlier this year with local police, says critics are more interested in “bullying” than dialogue (Pic: Reform/Facebook)