Full Breakdown
Helen Jenner Takes the Helm of Reform UK Wales Amid Turmoil
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Leadership Change in Reform Wales
On September 21, Reform UK’s 33 Senedd members held a secret ballot to replace Dan Thomas, who had resigned after being arrested on suspicion of assault and controlling or coercive behaviour. Helen Jenner, the party’s deputy leader and Member of the Senedd (MS) for Bangor Conwy Môn, won the contest over Jason O’Connell by a narrow margin. The vote was described as “close” by BBC Wales and as a 17-15 split by inews. Jenner was sworn in on the steps of the Senedd in Cardiff the same day.
Background & Context
Reform UK entered the Welsh Senedd in May 2024, winning 34 of the 96 seats and becoming the official opposition to Plaid Cymru’s minority government. The party’s Welsh branch has been marked by instability: former leader Nathan Gill was sentenced to ten years in 2025 for taking Russian bribes, and Dan Thomas’s arrest in mid-September triggered a leadership vacuum. A further blow came when Senedd member Sarah Cooper-Lesadd defected to Plaid Cymru, accusing Reform of “no interest in Wales”. The leadership change occurs as the party seeks to consolidate its recent gains.
Data & Statistics
- Senedd seats: Reform holds 34 seats, second only to Plaid Cymru’s 43.
- Polls: A YouGov poll for ITV Wales shows Reform’s Westminster support in Wales down seven points to 19 %, while its Senedd support fell to 27 % (from 29 % in May). Labour sits at 18 % and Plaid Cymru leads at 27 % for the Senedd.
- Leadership vote: Reported margins differ—BBC Wales notes a “close” result, whereas inews cites a 17-15 split.
Official Statements & Responses
- Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, said he had known Jenner “for many, many years” and described her as “a determined campaigner” who would do “a very, very good job”.
- Jenner framed her first First Minister’s Questions as a push for a grooming-gang inquiry.
- Dan Thomas, released on bail, issued a statement asserting he had “done nothing wrong” and would continue to serve his constituents while urging the media not to distract from the party’s work.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- The exact margin of Jenner’s leadership vote is reported differently: BBC Wales describes the result as “close” without figures, while inews provides a 17-15 split. No official vote count has been released by Reform UK.
- Details of the police investigation into Dan Thomas remain limited; Gwent Police confirmed an arrest on September 13 but have not disclosed the identity of the suspect.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I've known Helen for many, many years. She is a determined campaigner.” — Nigel Farage
- “I’m thrilled to have the support of my fantastic colleagues to lead Reform here in Wales.” — Helen Jenner
What’s Next
- A deputy-leader election is scheduled for the Tuesday after the leadership vote.
- Reform UK plans to field candidates in the upcoming Senedd election, targeting 1,200 candidates across 22 councils, according to Farage.
- Jenner’s immediate agenda includes pursuing a grooming-gang inquiry and stabilising party cohesion ahead of the next electoral cycle.