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Reform a ‘one-man personality cult’, leader of the Welsh Tories to say

16 May 2025 3 minute read
Leader of the Senedd Conservatives, Darren Millar MS

Reform is a “one-man personality cult”, the leader of the Welsh Conservatives is to say.

Darren Millar will insist there is “clear blue water” between the Tories and Reform UK when he addresses the Welsh Conservative Conference in Llangollen on Saturday.

He will use his speech to brand Reform a “one-man personality cult”, referring to party leader Nigel Farage, and say shouting about these things from the sidelines is “easy”.

The speech will be one of his last chances to address Welsh Conservatives before next May’s Senedd election, in which they are expected to face an uphill battle.

A recent YouGov poll put the Welsh Tories in fourth place on 13%, behind Plaid Cymru, Reform and Labour.

‘Clear blue water’

He will say: “To anyone tempted by Reform, remember this: There is clear blue water between the Welsh Conservatives and Reform.

“They are a one-man personality cult – we Welsh Conservatives are a united team.

“They are a limited company – we are a professional political party. And where they offer slogans – we offer serious solutions.”

He will insist the answer to frustrations with Labour is not voting Reform.

“I get the frustration,” he will say.

“I share many of your concerns about: unsustainable levels of immigration, the impact of net zero on energy bills and jobs, and the woke agenda.

“But wagging a finger and shouting about these things from the sidelines is easy.”

Rhodri Morgan

The reference to a “clear blue water” echoes a speech by former first minister Rhodri Morgan, who said there was “clear red water” between his Welsh Labour party and Tony Blair’s national party.

While Mr Morgan’s speech referred to the differences in one party, Mr Millar’s reflects the differences in two separate parties.

On Friday, Mr Millar declined to rule out a deal with Reform or Plaid Cymru following the Senedd elections.

Speaking with the PA news agency, he said he had “made it clear” he would work with anyone to get rid of “this clapped out Labour government”.

Mr Millar will also use his speech to make a series of pledges for policies his party would introduce if it won the election, promising to “fix Wales”.

He will promise to “declare a health emergency” and “drive down waiting lists” in the Welsh NHS.

Ban mobile phones in schools, restore discipline and introduce an immediate expulsion for anyone carrying a knife are also on the list.

He is also pledging to introduce a Welsh winter fuel payment to make up for the UK Government’s decision to means test the payment, and to cut the basic rate of income tax by 1p, fuelled through efficiency measures across government departments.

All road projects will be “unfrozen” and no new cycle lanes will be built until “roads are fixed”.


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Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
22 days ago

Says a ‘Jesus Freak’…late 60’s term for a follower…

andy w
andy w
22 days ago

A progressive nation needs strong politicians and constructive debate; mud-slinging will not win an election.

Port Talbot was not chosen by the Conservatives for Tata’s UK expansion https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-68412570.amp

Wales and this website need to be asking of all politicians what plans they have to bring well-paid jobs to Wales / reduce poverty levels / attract more foreign direct investment / increase the number of flights into Cardiff Airport from airlines such as Scandinavian Airlines and Lufthansa (so their business focused clientele visit Wales and spend money in Cardiff / wider region)

Amir
Amir
21 days ago

There is only the polluted brown waters of our once clean rivers and seas courtesy of our beloved Welsh water company that separates the tories from reform. Not much to differentiate them and it seems to be a leading to a revival of the eighties when someone threw a full can of pop at my head as a waited by the bus stop simply for being a brown man with a beard.

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
21 days ago
Reply to  Amir

White kid with long hair…

Hal
Hal
21 days ago

Bad news for the blues, their supporters have always liked a cult leader. Thatcher, Johnson and (whisper it) even Blair for a while. Who cares what they really stand for as long as the heart flutters a little when they talk tough on tv.

Llyn
Llyn
21 days ago

Reform is a “one-man personality cult” – Well he’s spot there. The Tories need to treat Reform as an opposition party rather than tip toe around them.

Jeff
Jeff
21 days ago

Don’t be too fooled, this one is owned by Kemi and she is owned by GOP/Heritage in the US.
Same beast, different weapons to attack you.

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