News

Reform UK split over ‘rigged’ Senedd selection claims

Published

7 months ago

September 22, 2025

Ajay Owen alleges secrecy, fees and intimidation — Reform leaders say ballot is fair

A FORMER Reform UK hopeful has quit the party after alleging its Senedd candidate selection in west Wales was “rigged from the get-go” — claims the local branch chair says are “completely untrue”.

Ajay Owen, a Welsh-speaking former board member for the Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion branch, posted a lengthy statement online last week accusing Reform of hand-picking favourites before any ballot had taken place.

He claimed applicants were charged £50 to apply and £150 to attend an assessment day, even though “front runners” had already been chosen in secret. He alleged candidates would only be announced shortly before polling day “to avoid disclosing spending” and said members were “too afraid to speak out”.

Mr Owen wrote: “It is rigged from the get-go. Reform have already selected their Senedd Members for 2025 without an actual vote.”

Schools of Sanctuary row

The dispute follows a row in August when Mr Owen named Pembroke Dock Community School in social media posts about the Schools of Sanctuary programme. He alleged pupils had written “Valentine’s cards” to asylum seekers — claims the charity said were “totally false and dangerous.”

Reform say Mr Owen was removed from local WhatsApp groups because of those posts and for issuing statements without approval. Mr Owen insists he was punished for speaking his mind.

Branch response

Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion branch chair Stuart Marchant told The Herald: “Ajay attended only two of the ten branch meetings held to date. He was given every opportunity to speak. His conduct in the groups became disruptive, and his messages were very unwelcome.”

On the central claim of rigged selection, he said: “We are currently inviting applications. Applicants are vetted by headquarters before being invited to an appraisal day. Those who pass will then face a local ballot in November in Cilgerran. No candidates have been selected in advance.”

Fees and compliance

Mr Marchant confirmed the £50 and £150 charges but said they are set and retained by Reform HQ to cover vetting costs. The local branch, he added, holds just £117 in donations.

On claims of avoiding election spending rules, he said: “We very obviously comply with the rules. Once we have candidates, we will announce them – not before.”

Welsh language and membership

Mr Owen also claimed Welsh was being sidelined within the branch, with one member describing Cymraeg as “a dying language”. Mr Marchant rejected this: “The Welsh language and culture should be supported and encouraged – never mandated. I’m proud of my Welsh roots. The suggestion Nigel Farage ‘winced’ at hearing Welsh is untrue. He simply didn’t understand what was said.”

Mr Marchant added that local membership has grown rapidly, from around 250 in July 2024 to close to 3,000 now — though this figure has not been independently verified.

Standing firm

Mr Owen says he stands by his account and is willing to release messages to back up his claims. “I’ve been mistreated so badly by the lot of them,” he said. “I’m open to any party that would love to take me on, or help me with my movement to speak up for the people.”

Following publication of this article Stuart Marchant, Interim Chair of Reform UK’s Pembrokeshire branch clarified that Ajay Owen had never been a board member, but had been assisting the board only.

Community

Free naloxone training session announced for Pembroke Dock

Published

10 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A FREE life-saving training session is set to take place in Pembroke Dock next month, giving people the skills to respond to suspected drug overdoses.

RM Training and Security Solutions has confirmed it will host a naloxone (Naxoline) training course at The Cricketers in Pembroke Dock on Tuesday (June 9) from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.

The session is being delivered in partnership with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service (DDAS) and is open to anyone, including security staff, venue teams, event workers and members of the public.

Organisers say the training is designed to be quick, practical and accessible, equipping attendees with the knowledge and confidence to act in an emergency.

Those taking part will learn how to recognise the signs of an overdose, what to do in a critical situation, how to safely administer naloxone, and gain an understanding of basic harm reduction.

Naloxone is a medication used to reverse the effects of opioid overdoses and can be administered via a nasal spray.

RM Training and Security Solutions said the session forms part of a wider effort to improve safety across communities, particularly in nightlife and public-facing environments.

Places are limited, and early booking is advised. Those interested can book via the company’s website or contact the organisers directly for more information.

Photo caption:

Life-saving skills: Free naloxone training will be held at The Cricketers in Pembroke Dock on Tuesday (June 9).

Community

Security firm meets councillors over town safety concerns

Published

10 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A MEETING has been held at Haverfordwest Town Council offices to discuss community safety and security concerns in the town.

Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner welcomed RM Training and Security Solutions for what he described as a “productive and forward-thinking” discussion.

He was joined by Deputy Mayor-elect Cllr Adam Benson Davis and the Sheriff of Haverfordwest, Cllr Dani Thomas-Turner, for the meeting with Ryan Mayne and Matthew Davis of RM Training and Security Solutions.

The discussion focused on concerns facing the community, including public safety, anti-social behaviour and the need for practical partnership working to help support residents, businesses and visitors.

Cllr Thomas-Turner said the meeting was open and honest, with all parties keen to look at constructive ways of improving safety and confidence in the town.

Further discussions are expected as councillors continue to explore possible community-led solutions.

Photo caption:

Town safety talks: Councillors met with representatives of RM Training and Security Solutions at Haverfordwest Town Council offices.

Community

Port invests almost £500,000 in Pembrokeshire communities

Published

11 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

YOUNG people, water safety projects and environmental schemes across Pembrokeshire benefited from almost half a million pounds of support from the Port of Milford Haven during 2025.

The Port said its investment reflected another year of commitment to strengthening local communities, building confidence among young people, improving access to the Milford Haven Waterway and supporting environmental resilience across the county.

Its community support focused on three main themes: a safe, inclusive and enjoyable Waterway; a skilled and confident community, with a particular focus on young people; and a sustainable and resilient environment.

Water safety projects delivered with Windswept, Paddle West and Blue Horizons CIC helped more people access the Waterway safely, including skills sessions and boat trips for people of all abilities and backgrounds.

The Port also supported Tenby Surf Life Saving Club and Porthmawr Surf Life Saving Club, helping provide training and safety equipment for volunteers carrying out lifesaving work.

Youth support

long-standing partnerships also remained central to the Port’s community investment.

Its continued work with Milford Youth Matters supported initiatives including Under the Bridge and the Winter Warmers scheme, providing safe and warm spaces for young people during the colder months.

Support for Megan’s Starr Foundation funded more than 300 hours of counselling for young people, helping improve mental health and wellbeing.

The Port also worked with Pembrokeshire County Council and Milford Haven Town Council to help keep a vital library resource open.

Support continued for the Torch Theatre, which delivered opportunities for young people outside traditional academic or sporting settings and won an award in 2025.

In partnership with the SPARC Alliance, the Port also helped encourage young women to explore careers in STEM, with 172 girls enrolled in the programme.

Environmental work

The Port said it remained proud to support the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC Officer post, recognising the importance of protecting and sharing the county’s special marine environment.

It also highlighted its role with the Milford Haven Waterway Environment Surveillance Group, which has monitored the Waterway’s habitats and wildlife for more than thirty years.

The Port has also supported Cymbrogi Futures in delivering the Tomorrow’s Changemakers Hackathon programme for schools across Pembrokeshire.

Anna Malloy, Communications and Marketing Director at the Port of Milford Haven, said: “Our community investments are some of the most rewarding ways we support people across Pembrokeshire.

“Every year we see incredible dedication from local groups working to make our communities safer, more inclusive, and more inspiring, especially for young people.

“We are particularly proud that in 2026 the fund will be focusing further on supporting projects that help young people gain skills and grow in confidence.

“Our investment in people today helps create a stronger, more inclusive and ambitious generation tomorrow.”

The Port of Milford Haven is the UK’s top energy port and Wales’ busiest port, handling around 20% of Britain’s seaborne trade in oil and gas. It also owns and operates Pembroke Port and Milford Waterfront.

Photo caption: Water safety projects delivered with Windswept, Paddle West and Blue Horizons CIC helped more people access the Waterway safely.