Plaid candidate ‘joined Reform UK as a spy’ to see whether it would target community food banks
Martin Shipton
Plaid Cymru has revealed that one of its election candidates briefly joined Reform UK as a “double agent” to find out whether the right-wing party would target community food banks in deprived areas of Wales as part of its political activity.
Carol Ann Falcon will be Plaid’s by-election candidate in Cardiff council’s Trowbridge ward on September 18.
Nation.Cymru reported how in line with a recently introduced requirement that candidates must declare if they have been a member of another political party in the last 12 months, Ms Falcon has a statement against her name that says: “Reform Party 06/01/2025 – 01/04/2025.” The statement was published on the list of seven by-election candidates who will be standing.
‘Shocked’
A political source who drew her previous membership of Reform to our attention said: “I was shocked to read the statement of nominated people for the Trowbridge by election. The Plaid candidate was a member of the Reform party until April 2025 – only four months ago.
“We can all agree that it’s important to change people’s minds, but to go from a Reform member to a Plaid candidate is a huge jump. I cannot think of another political example of such a quick conversion from a far right Brit Nat party to a left wing Welsh Nationalist party.
“As the Trowbridge by-election is likely to be a small turnout, a small vote could take it.”
We asked Plaid Cymru a series of questions:
Why did she join a far right Brit Nationalist party in the first place?
When did she become a member of the socialist Welsh Nationalist Plaid Cymru?
Have her political views really changed completely in four months?
What vetting took place to ensure Ms Falcon’s views are now aligned with Plaid?
Has a decision been taken to allow Ms Falcon to be a Plaid candidate despite her only joining the party very recently (what is the usual qualifying period?) and at what level in the party was this decision taken?
‘Particular circumstances’
We did not receive a response. After publishing the story on the evening of Monday August 25, we were sent a statement from Ms Falcon in which she said: “I was a member of Reform for a brief period earlier this year in particular circumstances, but it quickly became crystal clear that their values do not align with mine.
“Plaid Cymru’s values of fairness, community, and social justice are my values and I believe they offer the best path forward for Trowbridge and St Mellons. Labour are already running scared of a strong local voice here, and I am proud to represent my community in line with Plaid Cymru’s progressive values.
“What really matters is that my community deserves a strong local voice. This election is about my community’s future, not distractions.”
A Plaid Cymru source who did not wish to be named said: “I am appalled to learn that the party is putting forward a candidate who was a member of Reform so recently.
“The two parties are poles apart on so many issues that it’s difficult to understand how someone could have made such a conversion, certainly in such a short space of time.
“They should be explaining what has happened rather than simply try to pretend there’s nothing to see.”
Undercover operation
Now Plaid Cymru has issued a statement of its own in which it reveals that Ms Falcon joined Reform as part of an undercover operation. It says: “Plaid Cymru is proud to support Carol Ann Falcon as our candidate for Trowbridge and St Mellons in the upcoming Cardiff Council by-election.
“Plaid Cymru locally approached Carol Ann to stand as our candidate as she has been an active member of the party for several years and has consistently demonstrated her commitment to Trowbridge and St Mellons through volunteering with food banks, local initiatives, and other charitable work. She has lived in St Mellons since 1984 and brings a long-standing dedication to her community.
“In January 2025, Carol Ann through her grassroots work became aware of concerns that Reform UK would target community food banks in deprived areas of Wales as part of its political activity. Motivated by concern to protect her community, she briefly joined Reform UK to see first-hand what information was being shared so she could counter it if needed. Carol Ann has never shared their values, engaged in their activities, nor voted for them, and ended her membership within weeks.
“She was open and transparent about this when the local Plaid Cymru branch asked her to stand, declared it on her official nomination form, and the party fully understands the reasoning behind her actions in that she acted to safeguard her community, consistent with her wider community work.
“Carol Ann’s focus remains on serving her community. She is campaigning on real local priorities: better bus services, housing that keeps pace with local schools and healthcare, improved youth provision, tackling anti-social behaviour, and ensuring the community has a strong voice on developments such as Cardiff Parkway while ensuring that the principles of social justice, fairness, and integrity guide her work.”
“We have complete confidence in Carol Ann Falcon. She has the experience, local knowledge, and commitment to be a strong voice for Trowbridge and St Mellons, and we are proud to stand alongside her in this election.”
Ms Falcon is a trustee of an anti-poverty charity called Here For Good, based in St Mellons, Cardiff, part of the Trowbridge ward. One of its projects is St Mellons Pantry, a community-led initiative tackling food insecurity.
It is unclear what information Ms Falcon gleaned during her brief espionage career.
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Why are their statements so different?
Is it April 1? I could have sworn it’s August.
This makes no sense at all. What did she do as a spy?
It has still not been answered when exactly did she join Plaid
If you read the article correctly it does make sense. Unusual certainly but it does explain things
If you read the article, you would seen this statement “their values do not align with mine”. In other words, she joined them because she felt they were the future of this country. Why on earth she would think that, I have zero idea. Deform is an open book based on hatred and copying BNF and frump. We know how they operate.
if you believe that, you’ll believe anything!!!
Wait until you find out about reform supporters
How do we know if they’re a reform supporter, or an undercover plaid senedd candidate?!
How very James Bond (or should that be Jane Bond?). I’d quite like to know what she discovered in that case.
Iago Bind please
Or SiânBond?
When it comes to Plaid, nobody does it better
If this is true, why didn’t they say this originally?
However unpalatable this may be to many, but if Plaid are to come first or even second in these elections, they will have to engage with Reform supporters and/ or their politicians. Elections are a numbers game and you need the votes to cross the line. They need to understand exactly what Reform is offering to people, and how they can counter that.
If this story is true, well done for showing a bit of tactical ruthlessness. If not, they have got someone from Reform to switch sides. What’s the problem?
That statement of hers “their values do not align with mine” makes this all untrue.
Going from a member of one party to a candidate for another one in 4 months is not “changing minds”, it’s opportunism
Totally agree with you. I think you’ve got 5 minus points because some Farragists have , undercover, infiltrated Nation.C !
Sometimes in politics – as in life – you can try to be a bit too clever (and in the process risk ending up with egg on your face). And this appears to be one such occasion. And while I think it does explain the candidate’s dramatic political volte face i would urge anyone thinking of doing the same in future to do things the traditional way ie. criticise and challenge a opponent from the outside rather than trying to infiltrate them.
I believe her statement especially “their values do not align with mine”. As a Welsh Muslim, I can feel the values of Deform and what it stands for from as far of as a distant planet. What saddens me is than, Rhun, whom I have admired, has defended her in this manner. I am growing tired of feeling the hatred of racism in the area I live in and on the local FB site. Despite my efforts to integrate in my area, I always feel like I am second best. If her values reflect those of PC and the Welsh… Read more »
“Agent Falcon, Plaid needs you for another desperate mission. You will be parachuted in behind Reform lines where you will gather vital information about their plans for donated baked beans and tinned tomatoes. They may try to tempt you with unlimited gin & tonic and the promise of a long weekend with Nigel Farage! It will require nerves of steel and the abitily to spout ridiculous nonsense if captured. Think Plaid!”
“Or to get you to talk, they may make you spend a whole week with Farage. No one could resist that degree of torture”.
‘Several years’ implies she joined PC just before the last election but at least she’s a local.
I’m not a judge but ‘I was only researching alternative lifestyles’ isn’t an adequate defence for anything.
I’m just wondering if this is lawful, does anyone know? I’m fairly sure unless you are police, or the security services acting under a legal warrant, you can’t just join a UK political party to ‘spy’ on it. I’m happy to be corrected. She would certainly have had to disclose Plaid membership when she joined Reform – and it’s not clear she did. They should be certainly clear about what spying she did. In any case, deception in politics in this manner is not a good look and inappropriate, even it’s for a good end purpose such as helping food… Read more »
Isnt illegal. Dr. Julian Lewis wasnt charged with anything when he infiltrated the labour party to support Reg Prentice
I know people who joined the Labour party SOLELY to bring down Jeremy Corbyn from within. They had no real interest in active politics to that date, no history of Labour campaigning but Corbyn became “the Devil” thanks to the media, various front organisations, and the party itself, and that was enough for them. Then they left smirking “Job done”, Starmer becomes Leader…. Got to laugh.
But they were instructed to by a political party – major difference. Plaid shouldn’t be encouraging this behaviour, no sensible party that values democracy should
Which law do you imagine this might contravene?
I propose a new law to make it illegal to say something is illegal without stating the relevent regulations.
It very much depends on the circumstances. If she was asked to disclose membership of plaid when applying to join reform, well that could potentially be considered fraud, even though it’s unlikely to result in a prosecution. Depending on the nature of the spying, there are data protection laws. If it involved an elected member of the Senedd, I would expect their behaviour to be investigated by the standards committee, and possible parliamentary ban, if found guilty.
But most of all, i believe it is unethical and not the behaviour of a party wanting to lead our country from 2026
Wouldn’t she need to gain financially for it to be fraud? If she took up paid employment within the party or was elected it might be different.
Really good question; ‘intent to deceive’ is the word used to establish fraud. That was introduced as people could get away on some technicalities. You don’t just need to gain, but someone suffers a ‘loss’ that also be argued as fraud.
But I think the chances of a conviction are low as police/CPS/electoral commission(!) won’t be too bothered.
My main point was the potential of this being considered unlawful behaviour and as a political party, Plaid shouldn’t be engaging in this.
Where does “intent to deceive” leave those who lie about their age on social media profiles in terms of maximum jail time.
“When they go low, we go high” no longer cuts it when we are facing the threat of the hard-right in the shape of Reform. The more we can expose them for what they are, the better.
The lesson from Brexit was that trusting people to see through the shysterism doesn’t work. It’s necessary to fight fire with fire.
Yikes, Plaid would have been better off not commenting at all.
This sadly sums up Plaid perfectly. At a time when they need to be at their most organised, competent and focused they. are their usual shambolic shambles. Massive own goal.
My thoughts exactly. It’s not like there’s enough popular disillusionment with the entire established political class? Which Plaid is.
Whatever the pathetic nonsense reasons are….. Keep the filth of fascism out of our country. Reform supporters, please practice what you preach, and respect our culture. You are not wanted on our communities.
Fel un o anterliwtiau Twm o’r Nant. A phwy yw’r ffwl tybed?
Yes, it’s not unknown for those to join parties with the intention of gaining access and insight into hierarchy practises on private chat groups and forums. For example. When Ukip candidates first won English councils seats, it was later revealed by a whistleblower how racist their councillors and Ukip party officials were after screenshots of their conversations were taken ridiculing murdered Stephen Lawrence’s parents using racial slurs. We wouldn’t know this if it were not for someone on the inside. Would-be prospective candidate for Plaid Cymru Carol Ann Falcon’s admission of previously joining Reform UK, and her reasons for doing… Read more »
Quite so. Political Custard (and otheres) on youtube are doing a great job exposing the stupidity and incompetence of Reform councillors, and I like to think that they get some of their information from people like Carol Ann. The left, or at least the liberals, have traditionally been far too “nice” when dealing with the hard right, and it is about time we fought fire with fire. Actually I have considered joining Reform, or at least going to their meetings, with a view to exposing them, but I realised I would not be able to be in the company of… Read more »
I think the Returning Officer in this Cardiff Council By-Election needs to very carefully scrutinise, by double checking, if all the Candidates are legally qualified to stand. Then the voting electorate, and the political parties of all sides, and commenting journalists, need to check all candidates to see who lives in the Ward with roots in the community – very desirable but not a legal requirement. Finally, this is so farcical that it makes me think there may be ‘double agents’ at work here. Who is spying on who? Let’s just hope that some fresh faced honest true Independent stands,… Read more »
I forgot to say – it’s my personal warped opinion that people join the Wales Labour Party, not to spy, but to get plum jobs for their sons and daughters. It’s simply called LABOUR NEPOTISM. Can anyone post up here a few prime examples here to warm up the pink champagne.
At the end of the day when all is said and done this is a fight against fascism so perhaps every party and every media outlet should be infiltrating this outfit. Not even secretively, just turn up by the dozen and gatecrash. The gloves need to come off because relying on the woke to rise above is exactly what they are relying on.
Correct. People don’t realise the real and horrible danger Wales and Scotland will be in if reform get in.
The Allies had the best way of dealing with fascists on the Normandy beaches, but large flame throwers are frowned upon.