Powys Tory MS James Evans denies offer to defect to Reform
A war of words has broken out between Powys politicians over 'simply not true' rumours that one Conservative MS offered to defect to Reform.
Conservative Brecon and Radnorshire MS James Evans accused Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick of 'gutter politics' after he highlighted rumours he considered defecting to Reform last year.
An article in Nation Cymru reported an unnamed source in the Reform Party claiming Mr Evans had considered defecting to the party last year.
The County Times has approached Reform for clarity on the reports, but Mr Evans has refuted the rumour and said: 'The claim that I was considering defection to Reform is simply not true."
In a statement released today Lib Dem MP Mr Chadwick said Mr Evans needed to let 'the public know where he stood'.
'The latest accusations that he considered defecting to Reform UK six months ago are just one part of a long history he has had in flip-flopping on policy positions and the direction of his own party,' said Mr Chadwick.
'Nigel Farage has extreme views when it comes to issues like moving towards a private healthcare system, if James Evans considered joining them, it is all the more worrying, he is the Welsh Conservatives' Health Spokesperson."
But Mr Evans hit back saying: 'Perhaps David Chadwick should spend a bit less time obsessing over me, and a bit more time doing the job he was elected to do.'
'I am, and always have been, fully committed to the Conservative Party. That's true now, and it will be true in the future.
'If this is the biggest issue on his radar, then frankly, he's not taking his responsibilities seriously. While I've been focused on standing up for my home and fixing our broken NHS, 'dropped-in David Chadwick' has been trawling Twitter for gossip.
'And as for claims about 'flip-flopping' that's a bit rich coming from an MP and a political party that's been sat on the fence so long they're stuck on the barbed wire.
'I've never flip-flopped on policy. Maybe David Chadwick should do his homework instead of chasing cheap headlines."
He went on: 'Unlike David Chadwick, who was parachuted into Welsh politics, I live here, I serve here, and I care deeply about this place.
'I'm someone who's local, active in the community, and who has close friends and family in the area. I know how disillusioned people are with politics, I hear it every single day, and that's exactly why I'm getting on with the job of delivering real change.
'What Wales needs right now is serious leadership, not cheap, grubby attacks from a Lib Dem more interested in headlines than helping anyone.
'If David Chadwick finds all this too much, maybe he really would be more comfortable back in Gloucestershire.'
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