Anti-20mph online group rejects Welsh Tories in favour of Farage
Emily Price
An anti-20mph social media group with thousands of members that once praised Welsh Conservative efforts to oppose the default speed limit in Wales has shifted its support to Reform UK.
The ’20 IS NOT PLENTY’ Facebook group was launched in July 2023 – two months before the 20mph default speed limit was rolled out on Welsh roads.
The policy proved highly controversial, leading to widespread public backlash and a record-breaking Senedd petition which garnered nearly half a million signatures.
The Facebook group became an online space for its 86,000 members to vent their frustrations about the speed restriction and keep up with news of Welsh Conservative efforts to oppose it.
‘Confusing’
It has also been used as a hub to organise demonstrations outside the Welsh Parliament – many of which have been attended by Tory Senedd Members.
The 20mph default speed limit was imposed by the former First Minister Mark Drakeford’s government.
During the first year of its implementation former Welsh Tory leader Andrew RT Davies and former shadow transport minister Natasha Asghar were at the forefront of calls for the policy to be scrapped.
Despite data indicating that fewer people have been killed on Welsh roads since the new default speed limit was introduced, the Tories have branded it “confusing” and criticised the £32 million cost.
With new leader Darren Millar now at the helm of the group – the Welsh Conservatives say controversy around the speed limit still persists.
Although the Tories have vowed to revert 20mph roads back to a 30mph if they win the Senedd election – members of the largest anti-20mph group on Facebook appear to be putting their trust in Nigel Farage instead.
‘Last hope’
Natasha Asghar previously enjoyed great support from the ’20 IS NOT PLENTY’ group with posts describing her as “Wonder Woman” and Wales’ “last hope”.
Some members even called for the then shadow transport minister to be the next First Minister of Wales.
But in recent weeks, a clip of the now shadow cabinet secretary for education speaking in the Senedd about active travel has drawn criticism.
The video was originally posted by Asghar herself to her official social media accounts back in September 2024.
In it, the South Wales East MS called for an active travel route from Pontypool to Usk.
The clip then surfaced in the 20 IS NOT PLENTY online group in February with members suggesting that Asghar has “sold out” and that “a vote for the Conservatives is a vote for Labour”.
Tory support in the group appeared to plummet further when leader Darren Millar missed a vote on the Welsh Government’s draft budget after going to the United States for a prayer meeting alongside his colleague Russell George.
Some members of the anti-20mph group claimed it was proof the Welsh Conservative “don’t care about Wales”.
Poll
In the following weeks the page has become more and more saturated with pro-Reform posts and images of Nigel Farage.
Reform UK is expected to win far more seats than the Conservatives at the Welsh election with Plaid Cymru warning that the threat of Farage’s party should not be underestimated.
Nation.Cymru infiltrated the ’20 IS NOT PLENTY’ Facebook group using a dummy account to pose as a disgruntled road user.
We then conducted a poll asking members: “Who would you trust more to scrap Wales’ 20mph limit?”
900 members voted within 16 hours of the poll being live.
856 (over 95%) voted for Reform UK and only 44 (Less than 5%) said they would put their trust in the Welsh Conservatives to axe the speed restriction.
Although Reform has yet to announce its manifesto pledges ahead of the 2026 Senedd election, the party confirmed to Nation.Cymru that it is opposed to Wales’ 20mph default speed limit and would commit to repealing the policy it the party came into power.
A Reform UK Wales spokesman said: “It’s clear that the Welsh Conservatives are now a lame duck opposition in Wales.
“They have failed Wales at every turn. It’s clear as day that a vote for the Welsh Conservatives next May is a wasted vote.”
The Welsh Conservatives were invited to comment but did not respond.
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It shows what an extreme bunch they are that Natasha Asghar showing support for an active travel scheme to support pedestrians and cyclists, is an indication of being a traitor to their cause.
Reform UK will bang on about saving public money here and there but, rolling back the 20mph limit will spank approx 40 million that could go to the NHS in one go.
Hmm, so they are still banging on about this 20mph stuff, even though it’s saved multiple lives. Upon a visit to England recently I noticed and read about plenty of authorities implementing or considering 20mph zones in their area. There was no mega fuss and demonstration, no Farage invading council meetings. So why the rubbish here? Answers on a postcard beginning with ‘V’ please. (Yes votes).
Was that the demo with a few turning up but a far smaller petition group of farmers had a massive turn out?
Sort have to wonder how their presence on social media is gamed. Not really though, you know it’s amplified by far right influence.
They can stick their abolition of 20 mph limits w here the sun don’t shine. I’ll still drive at 20 in a thirty zone, so if you’re one of those on this Facebook group and you’re stuck behind me you’ll still be doing 20 whether you like it or not.
Also will it be a “blanket” abolition ?
Out of interest, I recently received my car insurance renewal quote. It’s gone down by around £80. Another benefit of living in part 20mph Wales. Thanks Lee.
What next if they get in,seat belts gone, cigarette warnings too.after all Reform Ltd thinks pc gone mad is public safety built on studies and thoughtful changes. So would government as a vacuum of nothing, bayong to theit capitalist masters. Governments are there to make our lives safer and better. Something they’ve argued the reverse.
NIge wants you to eat chlorinated chicken and flog off the NHS. Reform eh. Costing you your lives in many ways.
Is this it? A party called “Reform” and all they’ve got to completely transform the way we’re governed is a policy to endanger kids?
An unfortunate comparison crossed my mind on reading your comment about Reform endangering kids. That pic accompanying the article with the logo “Reform Will Fix It”. Somebody needs to have a word with Nige.
A working class hero according to some Reform supporters.
I’ve actually been overtaken on two separate occasions in a 20 zone by these infantile morons. Hope the cameras got ’em both.
After abolishing the 20mph limits, what will be abolished next and at what financial cost?
Reform will bankrupt Wales cynically executing u-turns on every policy it doesn’t like.
He will follow his best mate in the US (beware Kemi for the Tory party, she is bought and paid for as well), they are now going after the civil rights bill in the US, trump really is a fascist and he attracts the same. Project 2025 is real and gutting the US. Soon to be UK if farage gets a foothold.
Hopefully, if they gain control of enough English councils, by the time of the next Senedd elections they will have demonstrated what a bunch of scheisters and incompetents they are. Expect quite a few new Refuk councillors jumping ship to the Tories.