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Laura Anne Jones Elected Deputy Leader of Reform UK Wales

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 4:24 PM UTC · How we work

Center

Leadership Contest Detriment

Laura Anne Jones was elected deputy leader of Reform UK’s group in Senedd on 22 September 2026.
Evans, a Reform MS for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, said he would not run for leadership, arguing a contest would not benefit the party.
The 33-member internal vote was undisclosed, occurring after Dan Thomas resigned following assault arrest.
Jones served a 14-day Senedd suspension for a racial slur about Chinese people and apologized.

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Racial Slur Controversy

Laura Anne Jones was elected deputy leader of Reform UK Wales in the Senedd on 22 September 2026.
The appointment follows her 14-day suspension for a racial slur about Chinese people, prompting criticism of Reform UK Wales’s handling of misconduct.
Dan Thomas resigned Reform UK Wales leader after arrest on suspicion of assault and control.
Nigel Farage announced Helen Jenner as the new Reform UK Wales leader in Cardiff.

History

Historical Context

After the 2016 EU referendum, Nigel Farage announced his resignation and a contested UKIP leadership election was held; Diane James won with 8,451 votes on 16 September 2016 but quit 18 days later, prompting Farage’s return as interim leader and a November vote that installed Paul Nuttall. The party’s earlier high point—winning 12 European seats in 2014—has since given way to repeated leadership turnover and declining membership.

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Leadership Contest Detriment

Laura Anne Jones was elected deputy leader of Reform UK’s group in Senedd on 22 September 2026.
Evans, a Reform MS for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, said he would not run for leadership, arguing a contest would not benefit the party.
The 33-member internal vote was undisclosed, occurring after Dan Thomas resigned following assault arrest.
Jones served a 14-day Senedd suspension for a racial slur about Chinese people and apologized.

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