Conservative Senedd member Laura Anne Jones defects to Reform
Jones, who has represented the South Wales East region since 2020 and previously served in the Senedd from 2003 to 2007, has been a member of the Conservative Party for over three decades. But today, she said she no longer believed the party represented the values of the Welsh people.
'The Conservatives failed us when last in power,' she said. 'Labour, both in Westminster and in Wales, are completely incompetent. There is so much to undo and put right, Reform is now the only party that stands up for hard-working people with traditional, patriotic values.'
Her move follows a turbulent year in Welsh politics. In June 2024, Jones was asked to step down from the Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet amid allegations related to expenses. At the time, WhatsApp messages appeared to show her instructing a staff member to 'make more than I did – add in stuff please ok.'
She was later cleared by South Wales Police, who found no evidence of fraud. She was reinstated to the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport in December.
But today's announcement sees a complete break with the Conservatives. Jones said Reform UK is 'the only party able to stop Labour and Plaid getting into bed together once again.'
Her message to voters was : 'I strongly believe I've joined a party that shares my ambition for Wales, for our great country, to make the dragon roar once more.
"I can't wait to get started, help steer things in the right direction, fight for my constituents and for my beloved Wales, and take people along with me. With Reform, I truly feel that I am now part of the solution, not the problem. Let's Reform Cymru.'
Reacting to the news, Welsh Conservative Leader Darren Millar MS said: "Naturally, I'm disappointed by Laura's decision and Conservative Party members and voters in South East Wales will feel very let down by her announcement.
"The Welsh Conservatives will not allow this to distract us from our national mission to boot Labour out and fix Wales.
"In the meantime, we wish Laura all the very best in her new high tax and high spend party."
Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said: "This is yet another desperate Tory defection who knows the writing is on the wall for their party's prospects next May.
"Our national parliament is not a play thing for those who want to set Wales on a road to ruin.
"Only a Plaid Cymru government will build a fair, ambitious and prosperous nation."
A Welsh Labour spokesperson said: 'Today's defection is further proof that Reform are just the Tories in teal ties. Neither party cares about the people of Wales.
'Laura Anne Jones has seen the polls and, in a desperate attempt to keep her Senedd seat, is leaving the sinking Tory ship. This is someone who backed Liz Truss' reckless economics which crashed the economy, lost her front bench role over expenses claims and her own party said they were embarrassed by her racist slur in a WhatsApp group.
'She claims she's now part of the solution not the problem. Reform have no plan for Wales only Welsh Labour is listening and delivering for the people of Wales.'
The decision makes Jones the most senior elected Reform politician in Wales, with the party expected to make significant gains in next year's Senedd elections.
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