Latest news with #LauraAnneJones
Powys County Times
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Conservative Senedd member Laura Anne Jones defects to Reform
Laura Anne Jones, a long-standing Welsh Conservative Member of the Senedd who represents south east Wales, has dramatically defected to Reform UK. The announcement was made this afternoon at the Royal Welsh Show in Powys, where she appeared alongside Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage MP. 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.'
ITV News
20 hours ago
- Politics
- ITV News
High-profile Reform defection causes stir, but what does it mean for 2026 Senedd Election?
The defection of Laura Anne Jones has shocked and surprised even some of her closest colleagues. The significance of it has yet to be fully realised but certainly for now it has caused a sensation. In the short term, it gives Nigel Farage's Reform UK a Senedd member, another symbol that it's gaining support at all levels of government and a possible leader in Wales and even, if the polls are correct, a potential candidate for First Minister. But it brings its own problems. Laura Anne Jones is yet to be formally cleared by the Senedd's Standards Commissioner, Douglas Bain, after South Wales Police cleared her of expenses allegations. And her presence adds to those who say that Reform UK is mostly the home of disgruntled, former Conservative politicians, something that might put off those supporters of other political parties who, polls suggest, have been tempted by what they're hearing from Reform UK. For the Welsh Conservatives, it's a blow and one they weren't expecting. One Welsh Conservative source made the jibe, 'She'll have to turn up to cabinet more often now,' while another expressed disappointment that Ms Jones hadn't confided in even her closest colleagues, particularly those who'd offered help and support including 'emotional support' in recent years. Still, there's no doubt that her defection has shaken up a Welsh politics that is already being shaken up. Next year's Senedd election is one that is likely to bring huge change. Laura Anne Jones has just become a much bigger part of that change. Those other parties are contemplating what change means for them. There's the same mix of bafflement and frustration. When I bumped into Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth on the Royal Welsh Showground earlier, he highlighted the fact that he's a leader rooted in Wales but it's the visitor flown in from elsewhere who was getting the attention. Similarly former Welsh Conservative leader, Andrew RT Davies, has been at the Royal Welsh in a personal capacity for the last few days before taking up political tasks today. He rather wryly laughs at the rumours suggesting it would be he who'd defect, repeating his mantra that he was 'born blue.' 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.' In his statement, 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 plaything 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.'Welsh Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick said, 'The Conservatives are clearly dead as a political force in Wales. But let's be clear: Reform has no answers for Wales, just more noise, division, and is seemingly now only a vehicle for failed Conservative politicians. 'The Welsh Liberal Democrats are standing up to Reform and defending the public services our communities rely on, offering the serious leadership Wales desperately needs. 'Our party's DNA is interwoven with Welsh history and identity. Next year, we will be fighting hard to build a fairer, more Liberal future for Wales. For voters who feel the Conservatives have abandoned them and are appalled by Reform, our door is open.'
The Independent
20 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Who is Nigel Farage's latest Reform recruit? From drink driving conviction to ‘chav shooting' post
Welsh Senedd member Laura Anne Jones has defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK, becoming the party's highest-profile defection in Wales. Nigel Farage announced the news at the Royal Welsh Show, with Ms Jones – who was first elected in 2003 – saying she could longer justify Conservative policies on the doorstep. Standing alongside Mr Farage, she said: "I've just suddenly felt that the Conservative Party was unrecognisable to me. It wasn't the party that I joined over three decades ago." She said Reform, meanwhile, was "listening to the people of Great Britain". Ms Jones is the latest in a growing list of high-profile Tories to have defected to Reform, following former Conservative Party chairman Sir Jake Berry earlier this month, as well as Dame Andrea Jenkyns and former Wales secretary David Jones. Her defection means the Conservatives are down to 14 politicians in the Welsh Parliament, ahead of crunch elections next year. But who is Ms Jones? From waitressing to the Welsh Assembly Ms Jones was first elected to the then-National Assembly in 2003, becoming the joint-first Welsh Conservative female assembly member (AM). She had the backing of the Conservative Party despite a conviction for drink-driving in 2002, which saw her banned from driving for 12 months and fined £75. Jones said after the hearing: "I've never justified drink-driving and the decision is one I deserve. I've never done it on purpose." She had been earning £5 per hour as a waitress before she was elected. Ms Jones served one term, until 2007, before returning in 2020 after the death of Mohammad Asghar. She was re-elected in 2021, for South Wales East. She once used a racist slur in a WhatsApp chat Ms Jones hit the headlines last year when it emerged she had used a racist slur about Chinese people in a WhatsApp group chat. The Senedd member used the offensive term in an exchange about the Chinese-owned video app TikTok, writing: "No c****y spies for me!" She later apologised and issued a statement, saying the word was "unacceptable and I deeply regret using it". "I sincerely apologise for any offence this has caused," she added. She apologised for saying she wanted to shoot chavs In 2021, she was forced to apologise over old Facebook posts, in which she said she 'would like to do a spot of Chav shooting", and added it is "a shame that isn't legal." She also joked about shooting the then Labour leader, Ed Miliband, saying she would become the "perfect shot" if she had "ol' Red Ed to aim at." When she wrote the posts she was not an elected politician, although she had previously served as a member of the Senedd.
North Wales Live
21 hours ago
- Politics
- North Wales Live
Senior Welsh Senedd member defects to Reform UK
A senior serving Conservative Senedd member has announced she is switching to Reform UK after 31 years with the Tories, stating the party is no longer "recognisable" to her. Laura Anne Jones, who represents South East Wales, becomes the first Reform member of the Senedd. Ms Jones, who has been a Senedd member since July 2020 and previously served in the same capacity from 2003 to 2007, announced her decision alongside Reform UK leader Nigel Farage at the Royal Welsh show. She revealed to the press that she had not pre-informed her party or the group leader in Wales, Darren Millar, about her departure. Ms Jones expressed her belief that "Wales needs Reform" and positioned herself as "part of the solution not the problem". She voiced her discontent, saying: "I am here today because the Conservatives are not listening to members," and criticised her former party, remarking: "The Conservative Party has forgotten how to be Conservative," reports Wales Online. Mr Farage told journalists he still did not know who the leader in Wales would be, but said "all in good time". He said Ms Jones brought "conviction, passion and she knows how it works". He said he wanted to urge farmers to become candidates ahead of the election. "We will, between now and next May, get farmers directly involved and we also want Welsh farming voices to put their names forward." In a statement released by Reform, she said: "The Conservatives failed us when last in power, with let down after let down, and now Labour in Westminster are just like Labour in Wales, completely incompetent, with totally the wrong priorities and have become a joke that isn't funny. "Reform is the only party that now represents decent hard-working people, with traditional, patriotic values. People who love their country and are as devastated as I am at the erosion of our beautiful country and its values, faith and traditions, Wales and the UK are now turning to Reform. "There is so much to undo and put right, and Reform is the only party able to stop Labour and Plaid getting into bed together once again and taking our beautiful country into decline again. "I strongly believe that I've joined a party today that recognises and 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." Reform UK is projected to take seats in the Senedd election in May 2026 with some projecting they could be the biggest party. A third consecutive poll has shown Labour is projected to come behind Reform UK and Plaid Cymru at next May's Senedd election. The latest poll puts Labour 5% up on previous estimates of 18% but the poll, by More in Common for Sky News is the second to project Reform would be the biggest party in the Senedd. Labour is projected to come third, current polling suggests. First Minister Eluned Morgan has criticised Reform in stark terms saying it is not just a "threat" to her party but to Wales. Eluned Morgan told Sky News voters in Wales needed to understand Reform as a "threat", warning that "things that they're used to" such as free prescriptions and free school meals for primary school children "could be snatched away". She said: "We're taking it very seriously, and we think the threat from Reform is a very serious threat." Ms Jones has faced criticism in the Senedd over expenses, and language used in message to party colleagues. In the press conference, she said she had seen the report into her alleged actions and she said she is confident of the outcome "which is why she is here today". In response to the defection, 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." 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."
Telegraph
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
First Reform member in Welsh Parliament after Tory defection
Reform UK now has its first representative in the Welsh Parliament after a defection from the Tories. Nigel Farage announced on Tuesday afternoon that Laura Anne Jones, the current member for South Wales East, had switched allegiances. Speaking at a press conference at the Royal Welsh Show, the Reform leader said: 'I am delighted to say that today is a big step forward for Reform UK in Wales.' The defection came as Reform steps up its efforts to win power in Wales at the Senedd elections scheduled to take place in May next year. Reform is aiming to end Labour's 26 years of domination in Wales and Mr Farage said his party was 'going all out to win'. Ms Jones said she had not informed the Conservative Party of her defection. Speaking alongside Mr Farage, Ms Jones said: 'After 31 years in the Conservative Party I have just suddenly felt that the Conservative Party was unrecognisable to me.' She added: 'I truly believe that I have joined a party in Reform UK that listens to people.' Ms Jones said that 'Wales is a complete mess' and she believed Mr Farage and Reform can 'take Wales forward into a great place'.
