Reform calls for end to funding for Ukrainian refugees in Wales
Emily Price
Reform has called for an end to funding for Ukrainian refugees living in Wales, arguing that the emergency phase following Russia’s full-scale invasion has passed.
The party’s Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly and Rhymney branch said the “funding tap” should be “turned off” for Ukrainians who received support under the Welsh Government’s Nation of Sanctuary policy.
The six-seat constituency is represented in the Senedd by three Reform MSs: the group’s Chief Whip, Llŷr Powell, alongside Joshua Kim and Catherine Cullen.
In a Facebook post published ahead of Reform’s Senedd debate on the Nation of Sanctuary policy, their branch shared an AI-generated image depicting a woman with pale skin, dark hair and blue eyes standing between a Ukrainian flag and a Welsh flag.
In the background, a man with brown skin is shown wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf covering his face.
The post initially appeared to express support for Ukraine, featuring a tick emoji alongside a Ukrainian flag and a cross emoji beside a Palestinian flag.
But the branch also said: “Here’s the plain truth: 91% of the £55 million+ spent went on Ukrainian refugees, the vast majority who arrived in 2023 and 2024.
“That emergency is OVER. The funding tap should be turned OFF.”
‘Dumping ground’
The branch went on to say that Wales had become a “dumping ground” for refugees with the Welsh Government offering a “blank cheque” to resettlement schemes “for people from war zones across the world”.
When a commenter challenged Reform over its stance on Ukraine, the branch appeared to suggest that the party was divided on the issue.
The branch wrote: “People in Reform have different views on Ukraine so I can’t speak for them all”.
In another post, Reform’s Caerphilly branch wrote: “Opinions differ on Ukraine. What’s done is done. Reform don’t want the Nation of Sanctuary to continue.”
When another commentator argued that Reform’s loyalties were with Russia, the branch responded saying: “The Russian government (and USSR before them) has been supporting left-wing and green causes in the west for decades in order to undermine their societies – and you fell for it.”
In further comments beneath the post, the branch said that people who support those fleeing the war in Gaza would not want “Jewish refugees” to come to Wales.
‘Gay people’
It also argued that those who support refugees from Gaza could not also support “gay people”.
The branch wrote: “Which are you for? Gay rights or Gaza? You have to choose one because they are incompatible.”
Nation.Cymru asked Reform’s three Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni Senedd Members whether the views expressed about Ukraine by their branch’s official Facebook page reflected their own.
Mr Powell and Mr Kim did not respond, while Ms Cullen said: “I will refer you to our press office”.
The active military conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing for over four years.
It still continues daily, marked by heavy frontline fighting and long-range drone and missile strikes.
This morning (July 2), Russia launched a massive drone attack on Kyiv killing 18 people and injuring almost 100 others, with children among the “significant number” of casualties.
A Kremlin spokesman told reporters that Russia would “continue to increase pressure on the Kyiv regime in order to achieve our set goals”.
Rejected
The vast majority of the Welsh Government’s £63m Nation of Sanctuary funding was spent connecting vulnerable arrivals from Ukraine with essential services such as English and Welsh lessons and school places for children.
Reform’s Senedd motion calling for the policy to be axed was voted down by a margin of 52 to 38.
It comes amid continued concern over the party’s links to Russia, following the conviction of Reform’s former leader in Wales, Nathan Gill.
He was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being found guilty of accepting bribes to make statements in the European Parliament that were supportive of Kremlin interests.
Welsh Labour Equalities Spokesperson, Shav Taj MS said: “Reform either fundamentally misunderstand or are deliberately spreading misinformation about what the Nation of Sanctuary policy is.
“It is about integrating people who are already in Wales – legally, into our society.
“The ‘emergency’ of the war in Ukraine is not over and neither is the trauma experienced by Ukrainians who are rebuilding their lives in Wales.
“You cannot, and should not, turn support on and off like a tap.
“Reform are desperate to find scapegoats and it appears that today they have chosen Ukrainian refugees – tomorrow it will likely be another group of people in need.
“This type of political opposition is not credible, it’s lazy. I am proud that yesterday the Senedd chose to reject their politics of fear.”
‘Indefensible’
Plaid Cymru MS for Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni Lindsay Whittle said: “Most decent people in Wales will see through this low level of politics.
“When they go low, we go high. Eventually people will see through this.”
Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds branded Reform’s comments about Ukraine “morally indefensible”.
She said: “As we speak, more families are being forced from their homes, more children are living in fear, and more people are losing their lives.
“To suggest this emergency has somehow ended is not just callous, it is morally indefensible.
“Perhaps this should come as no surprise from a party whose former leader in Wales, Nathan Gill, was convicted of accepting bribes to make pro-Russian statements in the EU Parliament.
“Reform UK must answer a simple question: are they standing with the brave people of Ukraine who are are defending their country, or are they turning their backs on them while Putin’s bombs are still falling?”
‘Misinformation’
Former Welsh Government minister and a second-generation Ukrainian Mick Antoniw said Reform’s stance on refugees was “shrouded in misinformation and ignorance”.
He said: “The invasion of Ukraine is ongoing. There are regular massive attacks on Ukrainian cities. People are still dying.
“Ukrainians from occupied areas cannot go home and for many their cities have been completely destroyed.
“What underlies this comment is one of many I see from Reform which are essentially pro-Putin.
“The alliance of far right groups across Europe is being promoted on social media much of which is coming from Russia.
“Putin wants to destabilise the UK and the EU because of its support for Ukraine.
“Reform supporters are one of their targets for misinformation.
“There is no tap of money for Ukrainians, most are working and paying taxes and contributing to the economy.
“The Nation of Sanctuary policy helped this happen.”
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Pusillanimous spite from mean divisive people.
Anyone in the least bit surprised?
Putin says jump, reform say how high.
gill got jail for speaking up for putin. Farage spoke for putin and remains free.
Based on Farage’s track record, it must have been the only time he spoke for free.
You are very generous with other people’s time.
And voting.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/10/brexit-party-meps-vote-against-measure-to-combat-russian-propaganda
Very disappointed but not in the least bit surprised. No positives for the people of Wales, only distractions.
How low can you get? There are dozens of Ukrainians, including many children, are being killed daily by Russian drone and missile strikes, and Reform’s Llŷr Powell wants to end financial assistance that could give refugees seeking sanctuary a sense of normality and hope amid such murder and mayhem at home. This Kremlin stooge is below contempt.
Considering that putin bombed Ukraine over night, only a donkey would have reasoned that Kiev is a safe place to reside in.
“That emergency is OVER”
Literally a Kremlin propaganda mouthpiece. Looking forward to the day when AI joins the pseudoanonymous crypto dots and the Great Unmasking begins.
Given that a former leader went to jail for taking Russian bribes, perhaps we should not be surprised that they continue to peddle the Kremlin line.
Amazed no journo has scooped an interview from his cell.
Gill rolled over quite quick.
Took a fall for the cause? His handlers must have a plan or have they cut him loose.
Russia has opened a way for people loyal to them like this, not born there to get in.
Took a fall for Farage, surely?
Probably checking his tea doesn’t glow and his windows are definitely sealed shut.
If I were a Russian dictator looking to influence a country past the Brexit coup then I would most certainly have many irons in the fire. Not just one.
It is abhorrent to say that people in Cymru wouldn’t want Jewish Refugees.
Jewish Refugees settled in Cymru at the beginning of the 20th Century fleeing persecution in Eastern Europe.
During this era it was Reforms beloved Daily Mail that printed hateful articles about Jewish Migrants.
If anything/anybody needs defunding in Cymru, it’s the Reform members of the Senedd. Total waste of money and time.
Reform is a xenophobic party, though they are open to change their minds for certain countries and peoples – as long as the price is right!
Fundamentally, Reform resents the idea of helping anyone else but themselves. They didn’t get where they are today by being compassionate. Grievance and anger are the order of the day but it is a self-inflicted trauma. In the meantime, the rest of us can get on with the business of caring for our fellow citizens and leave them to wail and gnash their teeth in the wilderness.
‘Welsh Dave’ really needs to watch he doesn’t end up regarded as a one-trick pony. And as for Josha Kim, does the poor fellow know what he’s supporting – he seems a nice enough fellow, but a bit clueless
Kim (Nice but Dim)? Like the Harry Enfield character.
Kim was my child’s teacher between last September and March this year, they were delighted when he left.
He had a lot of arbitrary rules, including no laughter.
It is inconceivable that Llyr Powell was unaware of Nathan Gill’s activities on behalf of Putin.
The Senedd should launch an immediate enquiry to investigate both his previous activity on behalf of Gill, and whether his current disruptive behaviour in the Senedd is being sponsored by the Kremlin.
Quite a journey from incompetent leisure centre assistant in Pontardawe to convicted traitor in Wormwood Scrubs.
Has anyone checked
Joshua Kim’s authenticity to be a supply teacher?
Were all the necessary precautionary checks on qualifications and child protection thoroughly undertaken?
If the fascists can play this odious game then so can the gander.
Croeso i Wcraniaid yng Nghyrmu. Dim croeso i wladychwyr Sacsonaidd sydd eisio cadw Cymru yn gaeth.
‘You’re either with Gaza or gay people’ they say. While cheering on the Russian regime, which has essentially criminalised LGBTQ+ identity as “extremism.”
As for Ukrainian refugees, I strongly suspect their instinct is to hand them over directly to Russia to be tortured and murdered. These are morally and ethically subnormal people.
I’m so troubled by your contribution. Although I appreciate your concerns regarding others’ hidden agenda, I can’t accept your blanket accusation that ‘these are morally and ethically subnormal people’.
What if similar blanket accusations were made against us ‘y Cymry’!?
I’m old enough to remember the ’70s in London, when guesthouses regularly advertised ‘No Dogs, No Blacks, No Irish’.
We must judge each person on their individual merits, (not colour, religion, political persuasion etc) otherwise we’re all lost!
These are people who idolise Jimmy Savile while demonising law abiding LGBTQ+ people. Because sexual deviance to them means consenting adult relations they disapprove of, not forcing oneself on children.
We should absolutely judge people on their individual merits. I think not supporting far right bigots and traitor’s to Wales is a merit you should be judged on. Those that do are immoral, those that defend them through a misguided appeal to unity are also quite something to behold.
This is what they will create a constant barrage of attacks on immigrants.
First the Nation of sanctuary now Ukraines.. Let’s get debates on Farming and roads etc back on the agenda!
Why is blatant Russian interference allowed to go on in our country? Do we still even have MI5??
The people of Cymru are quite happy for the Ukrainians to be here, they’ve shown that they’ll stand by us when we’re in trouble, therefore we’ll repay the favour.
I feel far safer having Ukrainians in my community than reform supporters.
Joshua Kim, the man who tried to introduce Christian nationalism to the floor of the Siambr.
We should focus more on keeping reform supporters out.
Ive never brought my kids into the house because a Ukrainian was hanging around nearby.
We housed a family from Ukraine well they were able intergrate into a welsh society, the parents are now working, renting their own home, the children preforming well at school. The parents salaries are already exceeding the UK average wage. So contributing far more than they ever received from the sanctuary fund.
We will remain an emergency place of refuge for those fleeing conflict.
Well what else do you expect from fascist reform who are backed by Russia
Does Llŷr Powell (The Moscow Dic Sion Dafydd) think that if the money is cut, Reform get to keep it? What awful negative people these Reform deformed individuals are.
Is there no depth of depravity these Reform trash will stoop too, Reform are just an embarrassment to our country i find they are repulsive and just full of hate. We must not forget the brexaholic himself Farage the multi millionaire who says he is at one with the ordinary people of the uk,what a joke from a joke.
Reform would have blocked European Jews from feeling Nazism. We used to shoot fascists now we vote for em. So sad.
Yet this was unfortunately true of many Western Countries in the 1930 including the UK.
Many more Jewish lives could have been saved if Western Foreign Embassies in Berlin hadn’t rejected the applications for Jewish people to escape Nazi Germany.