This afternoon, Nigel Farage unveiled his party’s first defector in the Welsh parliament. Laura Anne Jones was first elected to the Senedd in 2003 and has been a card-carrying Conservative for more than 30 years. But today she has crossed the floor, citing the dire state of the country and the urgent need for change. This has been a defection long in the making. A number of senior former Welsh Tories now work for Farage’s party; conversations have been going on for months about potential defectors. Polls suggest that Reform is on course to win around 30 of the 96 seats in next year’s elections for Cardiff Bay. After a string of Conservative councillors and party members switching parties, it was always a matter of when, rather than if, a sitting MS would defect.
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 Laila 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.
It is worth noting that Laura Anne Jones is currently under investigation by the Senedd watchdog about her past mileage claims. For her remaining 14 colleagues in Cardiff Bay, that is why today’s defection comes as a particular kick in the teeth. One says ‘We gave her a lot of help – we all rallied round.’ David TC Davies, the former Welsh Secretary and now a senior Senedd aide, was visibly uncomfortable when he was stopped by ITV Wales for his reaction at the show today.
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.
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