Full Breakdown
Laura Anne Jones Named Deputy Leader of Reform UK Wales
By Drooid · · How we work
Leadership Change in Reform Wales
Laura Anne Jones was elected deputy leader of Reform UK’s Welsh group after a secret ballot of the party’s Senedd members on September 21. The vote, held among the party’s 33 MSs, followed the appointment of Helen Jenner as leader earlier that week. Jones, who represents the Sir Fynwy Torfaen constituency, said she was “delighted” to receive her colleagues’ support and pledged to work with Jenner to advance the party’s agenda in Wales.
Background and Recent Turmoil
Jones entered Reform UK in July 2025, becoming the party’s first Senedd member after defecting from the Conservatives on July 22, 2025. Her tenure has been marked by controversy: in November 2025 she was suspended from the Senedd for 14 days after a WhatsApp message used a racial slur describing Chinese people; she later apologized and denied being racist. The party’s leadership also shifted after former leader Dan Thomas resigned following his arrest on suspicion of assault and coercive or controlling behaviour. Thomas remains a Senedd member for Casnewydd Islwyn and is on police bail.
Key Figures
- Laura Anne Jones – Deputy leader, MS for Sir Fynwy Torfaen; former Conservative, first Reform UK Senedd member.
- Helen Jenner – Leader of Reform UK Wales; previously deputy leader.
- Dan Thomas – Former leader, stepped down after arrest; continues as MS for Casnewydd Islwyn.
- Nigel Farage – Reform UK party leader, visited Cardiff to announce Jenner’s leadership.
Official Statements & Responses
She described the new leadership team as “strong” and “effective,” and committed to supporting Jenner and the broader Reform group. The party’s internal vote did not involve the wider membership, a practice noted by party officials as consistent with previous leadership selections.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We've made a fantastic start here in the Senedd, giving a voice to the voiceless and standing up for Wales' left-behind communities. I'm excited to work with Helen Jenner and the rest of our team to deliver the real change Wales needs.” — Laura Anne Jones
- “We've got health statistics that are the worst in the UK.” — Reform Wales
These remarks capture the deputy leader’s vision for Reform UK Wales and the criticism she previously voiced about Wales’ educational and health outcomes.