Former Conservative council leader tasked with building support ahead of Senedd elections

DAN THOMAS has been appointed as the new Welsh leader of Reform UK, in a move the party says will strengthen its organisation ahead of next year’s Senedd elections.

Thomas, a former Conservative council leader, will head Reform’s campaign across Wales as the party attempts to convert growing polling support into seats at devolved level for the first time.

The appointment marks Reform’s most significant step yet in formalising its Welsh structure, with the party seeking to present itself as a credible alternative to Labour, the Conservatives and Plaid Cymru.

Party sources say his brief is straightforward: build candidates, grow membership and turn dissatisfaction with mainstream politics into votes.

Shift from the Conservatives

Thomas’s move follows a broader trend of defections from the Conservative Party to Reform UK, both in Wales and across the UK.

In recent weeks, former Conservative Senedd member James Evans also switched allegiance, signalling unrest within Tory ranks and giving Reform higher-profile figures to front its Welsh campaign.

Reform has increasingly targeted voters frustrated with NHS waiting lists, cost-of-living pressures and rural economic concerns, arguing that the established parties have failed to deliver meaningful change.

Supporters say Thomas brings experience of local government leadership and campaigning, which they believe will help professionalise the party’s operations in Wales.

Critics hit out

However, opponents have been quick to criticise the appointment.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth described Thomas as effectively “Farage’s deputy”, claiming his role would be focused more on advancing the ambitions of Nigel Farage than developing policies tailored to Wales.

Plaid figures argue Reform is largely made up of former Conservatives and lacks detailed plans on devolved issues such as health, education and local government funding.

They have also pointed to the party’s past controversies, including the conviction of former Wales figure Nathan Gill, though Reform says it is now under new leadership and direction.

Election battle ahead

Recent polling suggests Reform could play a significant role in shaping the next Senedd, with support rising in parts of south and west Wales where voters have traditionally backed Labour or the Conservatives.

If those numbers translate into seats, Reform could disrupt the balance of power in Cardiff Bay and complicate coalition maths after the election.

For Thomas, the challenge will be turning protest votes into an organised ground campaign capable of winning constituencies under Wales’s proportional system.

Whether Reform’s momentum continues — or stalls under scrutiny — is likely to become clearer as candidates are selected and manifestos published in the months ahead.

Reform UK has said more details about its Welsh policy platform will be announced later this year.

Opposition motion follows Epstein-linked document disclosures

A SENEDD Member has called on Labour MPs to support a Conservative Opposition Day Motion demanding the release of papers linked to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as the UK Ambassador to the United States.

Samuel Kurtz said the motion follows the publication of new files and photographs involving Lord Mandelson, which were released as part of a United States investigation into the disgraced and convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Speaking out, Mr Kurtz said that during Prime Minister’s Questions, the Prime Minister admitted he was aware of Peter Mandelson’s ongoing relationship with Epstein at the time of his appointment.

“That means the Prime Minister knowingly appointed Peter Mandelson to one of the most important diplomatic roles in government despite his links to Epstein,” he said. “This raises serious questions about the Prime Minister’s judgement.”

Mr Kurtz went on to accuse the Prime Minister of attempting to prevent transparency over the appointment process.

“Now, instead of being open and transparent, the Prime Minister is attempting to block the release of documents relating to Mandelson’s appointment in order to protect his own position,” he said.

He warned that Labour MPs who oppose the motion would share responsibility for withholding information, adding: “If Labour MPs support blocking the release of these papers, they will be complicit in covering up the process and judgement that led the Prime Minister to appoint Peter Mandelson as Ambassador, despite his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.”

Concerns raised over use of terrorism laws against silent sign-holders as Welsh activist among those ejected from London hearings

A WELSH peace campaigner was among several protesters removed from court by security staff this week as plea hearings continued for people charged under terrorism legislation for holding pro-Palestine signs.

Angie Zelter, aged 74, from Knucklas, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Monday as part of mass proceedings linked to the Government’s ban on Palestine Action.

Campaigners say hundreds of people across the UK – including some in Wales – have been charged under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 after quietly holding handwritten signs reading: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”

Zelter, a long-time anti-war activist and founder of Trident Ploughshares, attempted to read a prepared statement criticising the prosecutions before being escorted from the courtroom, according to supporters.

She told the court she did not accept being labelled a terrorist for what she described as peaceful protest and opposition to the war in Gaza.

Outside the building, fellow campaigners said she had sought to argue that international law and freedom of expression should protect non-violent dissent.

Also removed from the hearing was Tim Crosland, co-founder of Defend Our Juries, who said he had tried to raise legal objections to the charges before being asked to leave.

Arrests nationwide

Organisers of the “Lift The Ban” campaign claim nearly 3,000 people have been arrested across Britain since late 2025 for taking part in silent vigils, with several hundred now facing prosecution. The offences carry a maximum sentence of six months in prison.

The group argues the legislation is being used to criminalise peaceful protest. It is calling on the Government to lift the ban on Palestine Action and to change its stance on military cooperation with Israel.

However, ministers have defended the proscription, saying the organisation has been linked to criminal damage and disruption at sites connected to defence manufacturing.

Welsh perspective

While most hearings are taking place in London, campaigners say demonstrators in Wales have also taken part in sign-holding protests.

Civil liberties advocates have warned that applying terrorism laws to non-violent protest risks setting a troubling precedent.

For many in mid Wales, the sight of a pensioner from rural Powys being removed from a courtroom has sharpened debate over where the line lies between legitimate protest and criminality.

Further hearings are scheduled in the coming weeks, with more defendants from across the UK expected to appear.