TV presenter and commentator to appear at Cardiff event aimed at mobilising anti-Reform voters before May 7

CAROL VODERMAN has urged voters in Wales to reject Reform UK at next month’s Senedd election, as she prepares to appear at a live political event in Cardiff focused on keeping the party out of power.

Speaking ahead of an emergency Guilty Feminist Welsh Election Special at the New Theatre, Cardiff, on Sunday, April 12, Vorderman said Wales faced a crucial choice at the ballot box.

She said: “Wales has a chance for a new beginning in May. But Reform, the chaotic London-based, privately educated, failed Tory party, needs to be sent packing.

“Already numerous of their 96 Welsh candidates have resigned or been sacked for revolting actions. Their last Welsh Reform leader Nathan Gill is serving time in jail for accepting Russian bribes while serving in the European Parliament. Their new Welsh leader was a Tory living in London until a few months ago.

“Farage is a thin-skinned and proven liar. Everyone must come out to vote to save our country. Cymru Am Byth.”

Vorderman is due to appear alongside Guilty Feminist host Deborah Frances-White, with Welsh comedians Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Priya Hall also on the bill. Organisers say the night will mix comedy, music and political discussion, with the aim of building strategy ahead of the election.

Frances-White said polling suggested the Senedd result could be close and argued that “it really matters who ends up making decisions about our lives”, adding that the event was intended as a “get-in-the-room” night to work out how to respond.

Reform UK’s current leader in Wales is Dan Thomas, who was unveiled by Nigel Farage in Newport in February. Thomas is a former Conservative leader of Barnet Council in London, although he grew up in Blackwood.

Vorderman’s reference to Nathan Gill points to a highly embarrassing chapter in the party’s recent history. Gill, a former Reform UK politician and ex-MEP, was jailed last year after admitting taking bribes from pro-Russian figures in exchange for speeches and statements in the European Parliament.

Asked for a response to Vorderman’s remarks, a Reform UK Wales source replied briefly: “Does she even live in Wales?”

It was a short answer, but perhaps not one likely to end the argument. With the campaign heating up, and with high-profile voices now piling in from outside formal party politics, the battle for attention ahead of May 7 is only getting louder.

ANYONE who hosts paying guests in Wales will soon be required by law to register their visitor accommodation with the Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA).

The new legal requirement will apply to all paid visitor accommodation across Wales, including spare rooms, holiday cottages, cabins, campsites and hotels. Registration will be required whether accommodation is let for a single night, occasionally, seasonally or all year round.

The register is being introduced to give a clearer picture of the visitor accommodation available in Wales and to support councils that decide to introduce the Visitor Levy. Registration will open in October 2026, and both informal hosts and professional accommodation providers will be required to comply or risk facing penalties.

Accommodation providers can prepare now by visiting gov.wales/registeryourplace to find out what information they will need and sign up for updates and reminders. Registration is free for providers and is expected to take less than 15 minutes to complete.

When registration opens, accommodation providers will be asked to provide information, including:
• contact details
• accommodation address
• type of accommodation
• how many people can stay
• when the accommodation is usually open for bookings

Who needs to register?

Any individual or business that takes bookings for overnight accommodation must register by law.

This includes:
• self-catering accommodation and homestays, including on Airbnb or similar
• hotels, guesthouses or bed and breakfasts
• campsites or camping pitches
• hostels or bunkhouses
• caravans, chalets, lodges, shepherd’s huts or glamping
• temporary accommodation for events, including festivals

Rebecca Godfrey, Welsh Revenue Authority Chief Executive, said: “If you take bookings for overnight stays in Wales, you’ll need to register with us. We want to make this process as straightforward as possible, and we’re here to support accommodation providers to register correctly and on time.

“We’ll be publishing further guidance before registration opens in October 2026. In the meantime, I’d encourage providers to visit gov.wales/registeryourplace to find out what to expect and sign up for updates.”

DYFED-POWYS POLICE has launched Operation Apex ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday, with officers stepping up efforts to keep motorcyclists safe on roads across the region.

The force says more riders are expected to take to the roads over the long weekend, prompting increased patrols, targeted enforcement on routes considered high-risk, and engagement with bikers at key locations.

Police are urging riders to take extra care by keeping their speed down on corners, watching carefully for other road users, and treating rural roads with caution, as conditions can change quickly and surfaces are often less predictable.

As part of the operation, motorcyclists are also being encouraged to sign up for a BikeSafe workshop. The police-led initiative offers expert advice as well as an observed ride aimed at helping bikers improve their skills and confidence on the road.

Officers are also reminding riders to carry out basic safety checks before setting off, particularly if their motorbike has not been used for some time. Tyres, brakes, lights, chain condition, oil and fuel levels should all be checked before any journey.

The warning comes as recent wet weather has left some road surfaces badly damaged, with potholes posing an extra hazard. Police also noted that while spring temperatures are improving, chilly mornings can still bring frost or icy patches in places, alongside the usual unpredictability of Welsh weather.

Dyfed-Powys Police said riders should enjoy the Easter weekend, but make safety and getting home safely their top priority.