Farage unveils first defection in Wales
Inevitably, speculation has begun about Jones' plans in the Senedd. She was remaining tight lipped at this afternoon's press conference, simply saying 'watch this space' when asked as to how she intends to spend the next 10 months. Farage declared he had 'no idea' who would be Reform's candidate for first minister come next May. Sir Jake Berry's recent switch has prompted speculation that he will be a contender; other names are also being bandied around in Milbank Tower. Reform are hailing today's move as a portent of things to come: not just in Wales but across the UK too. Farage sees Jones and the likes of Layla Cunningham as proof that Reform can win the so-called 'Mums' vote' of women in their forties and fifties. On a tour of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show after the press conference, he hailed Jones' credentials as the daughter of a Welsh farmer. Agriculture, steel and tourism are three of the big issues in Wales. Farage's party has set out his pitch on two of these issues: expect a focus on tourism in the months ahead too.
While looking to the future, today's defection also has reminders of the past. Jones was a key member of Vote Leave Wales. Her switch was aided by David Jones, another recent defector, and former chairman of that campaign. Matt MacKinnon, a key figure in Reform HQ, was chief executive then too. The hope next May is to bring together the best of the Brexit coalition to try and achieve a similar revolution in the Senedd.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
UK and France to ratify 'one in, one out' migrant returns deal
LONDON, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Britain said it would begin implementing a deal to return migrants who arrive on small boats to France within days after a treaty on the arrangement - a key part of British plans to cut illegal migration - is ratified on Tuesday. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron announced the "one in, one out" pilot scheme on migrant returns last month. Under the new deal, France has agreed to accept the return of undocumented people arriving in Britain by small boats, in exchange for Britain agreeing to accept an equal number of legitimate asylum seekers with British family connections. A treaty on the scheme was signed last week but not previously announced ahead of Tuesday's ratification. Britain said the European Commission and EU member states had given the green light to the plan. Starmer, whose popularity has fallen since winning an election landslide last year, is facing pressure to stop small boat arrivals from the populist Reform UK party, led by Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage. Britain's interior ministry said it expected detentions to begin within days. "This is an important step towards undermining the business model of the organised crime gangs that are behind these crossings," British interior minister Yvette Cooper said. Under the agreement with France, government sources previously said they were looking at about 50 returns a week, or 2,600 a year, a fraction of the more than 35,000 arrivals reported last year, though the scheme could be scaled up. More than 25,000 people have arrived on small boats so far in 2025, and the government has targeted people smugglers with sanctions, clamped down on social media adverts and is working with delivery firms to tackle the illegal work that is often promised to migrants.
Business News Wales
an hour ago
- Business News Wales
Welsh Hospitality 'Risks Being Taxed Out of Existence By Business Rates Proposal'
UKHospitality is calling on the Welsh Government to extend business rates support to include hospitality, saying the sector 'risks being taxed out of existence'. A Welsh Government consultation on non-domestic rates is due to close on August 12. The Local Government Finance (Wales) Act 2024 provided the Welsh Government with the ability to introduce differential multipliers for Wales using regulations. The current consultation seeks views on the Welsh Government's proposals to introduce differential multipliers from 1 April 2026. The Welsh Government is proposing to introduce a lower multiplier for small to medium sized retailers. It says the proposal 'recognises the unique challenges faced by 'bricks and mortar' retail shops, not least through their exposure to competition from online retailers'. It says its proposal 'would also be expected to indirectly benefit other sectors of the high street economy, through the visitor footfall supported by the maintenance of a viable retail sector'. However UKHospitality Cymru says the proposals have 'sidelined the sector' and added that hospitality in Wales is now 'facing substantial and potentially damaging business rates hikes'. It said: 'That lack of support will mean a typical high street pub will be paying an extra £6,800 per year in business rates; a typical country hotel would see an increase of around £17,000 per year; and a city-centre hotel would see nearly £50,000 extra in costs. Some of Wales's finest accommodation attractions will see even bigger increases, damaging domestic, international and business tourism.' The trade association added that it is seeking 'optimal support to stall any proposed legislation to tax Welsh hospitality businesses out of existence'. It is calling for Welsh business leaders to join it in responding to the Welsh Government's consultation. David Chapman, Executive Director of UKHospitality Cymru, said: 'This is a critical issue that will threaten the very existence of pubs, bars, hotels and restaurants across the UK. 'Hospitality must, without a shadow of a doubt, be included in any and every business rates support package, if we are to avoid the sector being taxed out. Failing to recognise and implement support for hospitality would risk the Welsh Government undermining their policy objectives, effectively leading to the gutting of the high street as we know it. 'We urge all hospitality businesses across Wales, large or small, to back our calls for support from Government, by submitting their views to the Senedd before this crucial consultation closes on 12th August. 'It's vital that not only Welsh hospitality business receive business rates support, but also our counterparts in England and Scotland.'
Business News Wales
an hour ago
- Business News Wales
Apprenticeship Pathway 'Should Be Promoted as a Respected and Quality Option'
Schools, colleges, employers and the Welsh Government must work together to present apprenticeships as a strong start to a career, the Senedd's Economy Committee has concluded. The Committee heard evidence from apprentices and apprenticeship providers and has laid out recommendations for the Welsh Government to help people make better choices about their education and training in its latest report, Apprenticeship Pathways. The Committee believes that if the Welsh Government increases awareness and take-up of apprenticeships this will allow people to improve their skills and earning potential, building a more productive workforce and boosting the economy. Matt, who did an apprenticeship at Gower College, gave evidence to the Committee and said: 'The biggest issue is awareness. I had no idea apprenticeships existed, what they led to, or that they were equivalent to GCSEs. When I was unemployed, no one at the job centre mentioned them—and I never saw a poster or heard about them from employers either. 'I'm now a senior healthcare assistant, and I had to either have a Level 3 qualification or be willing to study for one. While senior management supported this, many line managers don't understand how apprenticeships work or how to support staff properly. 'These qualifications are ideal for people like me who left school with nothing. Through my apprenticeship with Gower College and support from Swansea Bay University Health Board, I gained GCSEs in Maths and English, new skills for my job, and I'm now studying for a nursing degree. It's taken me from no qualifications to university.' The Committee heard that many learners are not aware of alternative routes into employment and pursue further academic study even though they could be much happier, more successful and more suited to the vocational one. The Committee has laid out a number of recommendations for the Welsh Government on apprenticeship pathways, with calls for: Better engagement and promotion of apprenticeships as a viable education pathway for students The Welsh Government should work with schools, colleges and employers to present vocational courses as a good quality option Faster progress in developing a vocational education and training strategy Barriers to recruiting and retaining skilled assessors and apprenticeship trainers to be addressed Increases to pay for apprenticeships to be explored as part of the fair work agenda. Andrew RT Davies MS, Chair of the Senedd's Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee, said: 'For many people, apprenticeships can be an excellent choice. They combine learning earning, working and training. The apprentices who gave evidence were enjoying their courses and they are thriving as a result. 'However, we heard about many challenges facing people who want to do an apprenticeship, not least understanding and navigating the system itself. For young people, the academic route is clear, and schools work hard to signpost and encourage their learners to do A-levels and degrees, the same cannot be said for apprenticeships. 'We're calling on the Welsh Government to work with schools, colleges and employers to make sure that the apprenticeship pathway is promoted to everyone as a respected and quality option. 'There are huge benefits to apprentices, employers and the economy if we get this right in Wales.'
