David Chadwick MP says James Evans MS ‘put career before constituents’ after party switch

A SENEDD member has defected to Reform UK, prompting sharp criticism from a neighbouring MP who accused him of abandoning his principles to protect his political future.

James Evans has left the Conservatives to join Reform UK, a move that immediately drew fire from local David Chadwick, the Welsh Liberal Democrats MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe.

Mr Chadwick said the switch raised serious questions about consistency and loyalty to voters in mid Wales.

‘Career before constituents’

In a strongly-worded statement, Mr Chadwick said: “What’s clear is that James Evans is more interested in protecting his own career than standing up for his constituents in Brecon and Radnorshire.

“You could fill a library with his past criticisms of Reform and of Conservative defectors. He has described Reform as a danger to national security because of its links to Russia, and warned they would push Britain towards an insurance-based NHS.

“Yet the moment his own seat came under threat, he jumped ship to the very people he once said had no principles.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats are clear: our principles are not for sale. We will continue to do what we were elected to do, stand up for our constituents, not engage in political psychodrama.”

Past remarks resurface

The comments highlight a series of previous attacks made by Mr Evans on Reform UK and those who had joined the party.

He has previously questioned Reform’s leadership and direction, and suggested the party could not be trusted with the NHS, warning of a move towards insurance-based healthcare.

The Liberal Democrats also pointed to remarks made last year when Mr Evans criticised another Conservative who defected, saying she had “no principles”.

Opponents say those statements now sit uneasily with his own decision to change parties.

Growing political pressure

The defection comes amid increasing competition between parties across rural and mid Wales, with Reform seeking to capitalise on dissatisfaction with both Labour and the Conservatives ahead of the next Senedd election.

Mr Evans has yet to respond publicly to Mr Chadwick’s comments.

BILINGUAL road signs across parts of west Wales have been deliberately defaced, with English place names sprayed over in what politicians have described as targeted acts of vandalism.

Incidents have been reported in St Clears, Welshpool and Burry Port in recent days, with the English wording obscured while the Welsh language names were left untouched.

The damage has prompted criticism from Andrew RT Davies, the South Wales Central Conservative Member of the Senedd, who said the attacks were “disgraceful” and risk fuelling division within communities.

In St Clears, Carmarthenshire, black paint was sprayed across the English name on entrance signage, while the Welsh version, “Sancler”, remained clearly visible. The town itself dates back to the 12th century as an Anglo-Norman settlement, with the Welsh name derived from the original English.

Similar reports have emerged from Welshpool in Powys and Burry Port on the Carmarthenshire coast, where bilingual signs have also been tampered with.

Mr Davies said: “These attacks, presumably carried out by Welsh separatist activists, are disgraceful.

“The English language is central to Welsh culture.

“Attempts to erase it are completely unacceptable and must be condemned.”

He added that road signs are there for safety and navigation and should not be used to make political statements.

Local residents have also voiced frustration, with some pointing out that obscuring parts of signs could pose a risk to drivers unfamiliar with the area, particularly visitors and tourists.

Bilingual signage has been standard across Wales for decades, reflecting both Welsh and English as everyday languages used by communities. While the vast majority of signs remain untouched, the recent incidents appear to have been deliberate and selective.

Police have not yet confirmed whether any arrests have been made, but anyone with information about damage to public property is urged to contact their local force.

Anyone who spots vandalised signage is also advised to report it to their local council so repairs can be arranged quickly.

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.

Dan Thomas said: “It’s a huge honour to lead Reform here in Wales. We’ve built a strong team and we’ll get stronger still between now and May and beyond. 

“Every day we will be fighting for our forgotten communities and everyone the establishment has ignored for so long. 

“This May, vote Reform to deliver the change Wales desperately needs.”

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.