REFORM UK has launched its Welsh manifesto ahead of the May Senedd election, promising what party leaders describe as an “ambitious but realistic blueprint for change” in Wales.

The manifesto was unveiled on Thursday (Mar 5) at an event in Newport attended by Reform Wales leader Dan Thomas and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

The insurgent party is attempting to position itself as a major challenger in the election, with recent polling suggesting a fragmented political landscape in which no party is guaranteed overall control of the Senedd.

Key policy pledges

Among the headline proposals is a pledge to scrap the default 20mph speed limit on residential roads introduced by the Welsh Government, a policy which has generated significant public debate across Wales.

Reform also promises to pursue major road projects including an M4 relief road around Newport and upgrades to the A55 in North Wales.

The party says it would also end the Welsh Government’s “Nation of Sanctuary” refugee policy and stop the use of hotels to house asylum seekers in Welsh communities.

Other proposals include prioritising local residents for social housing, reviewing business rates, and introducing a “tax lock” designed to prevent the introduction of new Welsh taxes.

On council tax, Reform says it would impose a five per cent referendum threshold, meaning larger increases would require public approval.

NHS and farming promises

Healthcare features heavily in the party’s programme, with pledges to cut waiting lists, end the practice of patients being treated in hospital corridors, and invest in digital infrastructure and hospital upgrades.

Reform says it would maintain the NHS as a free public service.

The party has also sought to appeal to rural voters by promising changes to the controversial Sustainable Farming Scheme.

Under its proposals, Reform says it would work with the farming sector to deliver a ten-year Welsh food strategy and reduce regulatory pressure on farmers.

‘Put Wales first’

Speaking at the launch, Reform Wales leader Dan Thomas said the manifesto offered voters a clear alternative to the current Welsh Government.

“This manifesto is a blueprint for real change here in Wales,” he said.

“These promises put Wales and Welsh communities first, and unlike the pledges put forward by other parties, these are deliverable.

“Armed with this blueprint, we have all the building blocks to end a generation of decline here in Wales.”

Nigel Farage also addressed the event, praising the Welsh team and describing the manifesto as a serious plan for government.

“In a Senedd election campaign that has been characterised by fantasy economics from the other parties, this document is a serious plan to deliver the real change Wales deserves,” he said.

Political reaction

Opposition parties were quick to criticise the plans.

Welsh Labour said the manifesto amounted to “a Tory programme in Reform clothing” and accused the party of making unfunded promises.

A party spokesperson said: “This is a manifesto full of billions in commitments without explaining how they would be paid for.”

Other parties have also raised concerns about Reform’s policies on asylum and social housing, arguing they risk deepening social divisions.

Election battle ahead

The launch marks the start of what is expected to be an intense campaign ahead of the Senedd election on May 7.

Labour has governed Wales continuously since devolution began in 1999, but polls suggest the political landscape is becoming increasingly competitive, with Plaid Cymru, the Conservatives and Reform all seeking to capitalise on voter dissatisfaction with the status quo.

Reform hopes its message of tax restraint, infrastructure investment and tighter migration policies will resonate with voters frustrated by rising living costs and public service pressures.

Whether the party can translate that message into seats in the Senedd will become clear when voters go to the polls in just over two months.

We are live at International Convention Centre, Newport for the Reform UK Welsh Manifesto Launch

AS a 22-year-old reporter from west Wales, I did not expect to be one of the few journalists in the room — and to be the youngest them — at Reform UK’s Welsh manifesto launch in Newport on Thursday.

But as Nigel Farage walked into the International Convention Centre to loud applause from supporters who had paid £5 to attend, the press seats quickly filled with around thirty reporters waiting to question him and the party’s Welsh leader, Dan Thomas.

What followed was part campaign rally, part policy launch — and a clear attempt by Reform to put immigration at the centre of the upcoming Senedd election campaign.

When the opportunity for questions came, I asked the one issue that immediately raised eyebrows in the room.

Wales does not control immigration — that power sits firmly with Westminster and the UK Border Force — so what could a Reform Welsh Government realistically do?

Dan Thomas did not shy away from the constitutional reality.

“You’re quite right, we don’t control immigration,” he said.

“The UK Government and border forces are meant to be doing that and they’re not. We understand that.”

But he said a Reform-led Welsh Government would still take action by removing what he described as “pull factors” created by Welsh Government policy.

He singled out the Welsh Government’s Nation of Sanctuary programme — introduced in 2019 to support refugees and asylum seekers already placed in Wales by the Home Office.

“Our position is clear,” he said.

“We would end the Nation of Sanctuary policy immediately and we would halt the housing of illegal immigrants and asylum seekers in Wales in whatever form we can — whether that’s hotels or local authority arrangements.

“If that means legislative changes or challenging Westminster directly, then so be it.”

Nigel Farage later reinforced the message during his closing remarks, telling supporters immigration had become a defining political issue.

“The public are really angry and they want action on this,” he said.

“We’ve heard it all before from governments — ‘stop the boats’, ‘smash the gangs’, ‘if you come illegally you’ll be deported’ — but the problem continues.”

The event briefly turned chaotic when a heckler began shouting during Farage’s speech in an attempt to drown him out.

Security staff quickly stepped in and escorted the protester out of the hall.

As the doors closed behind him, many in the crowd clapped before Farage calmly resumed his speech.

Beyond immigration, Reform used the event to outline a wider programme for Wales.

Among the pledges were scrapping Wales’ default 20mph speed limit, prioritising long-term residents for social housing, and reviving plans for an M4 relief road around Newport.

But the tension at the heart of the debate remains clear.

Immigration policy is controlled by Westminster, not the Senedd. Any attempt by a Welsh Government to block asylum accommodation or refuse cooperation with the Home Office would almost certainly trigger legal and constitutional battles.

Supporters of the Nation of Sanctuary policy say it reflects humanitarian values and helps refugees already placed in Wales integrate into communities and employment.

Critics argue it sends the wrong signal at a time when migration remains one of the UK’s most divisive political issues.

From the press seats in Newport, it was clear Reform is betting that frustration with Westminster — and Cardiff Bay — will resonate with voters.

For communities in west Wales, where housing shortages and pressure on public services are often discussed alongside asylum placements, the issue is likely to feature heavily during the campaign.

And for one young reporter who travelled from west Wales to cover the launch, it was a reminder that sometimes the most important moment at a political event is simply getting the chance to ask the question.

Motorist admitted being in charge of vehicle while unfit through drugs

A WOMAN has been sentenced after being found “drooling” in a parked car after taking a cocktail of drugs.

Police and ambulance crews were called by a concerned member of the public who reported seeing a man and woman apparently unconscious inside a Suzuki Alto parked in Kilgetty on October 16.

“The male and female appeared to be unconscious and were drooling from their mouths,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“The engine wasn’t running, but the member of the public was concerned that when they roused, they might attempt to drive away.

“She thought it was possible they had taken an overdose.”

When police arrived around 30 minutes later, they found the pair still slumped over in the back seat of the vehicle.

“They were still drooling and appeared unconscious,” continued Ms Vaughan.

“When officers spoke to Elizabeth King, it was obvious she was confused and inconsistent about the events.”

Subsequent drug tests showed that King, 32, of Meadow View, Station Road, St Clears, had several drugs in her system, including cocaine, benzoylecgonine, EME, pregabalin and norcocaine.

King pleaded guilty to being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drugs.

Representing her in court, solicitor Tom Lloyd told magistrates that the defendant is a recovering heroin addict.

“Despite this addiction, she has managed to remain of previous good character,” he said.

“This is the first time she has appeared before the court.”

King was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £32 surcharge. Her driving licence was endorsed with ten penalty points.