Reform MS branded ‘part timer’ after declining spot on education committee
Emily Price
Reform’s only Senedd politician has been branded a “part timer” after refusing to join the Welsh Parliament’s education committee.
South Wales East MS Laura Anne Jones is now the only Senedd Member that isn’t a member of any of the parliament’s 16 committees.
The Business Committee noted on September 30 that Jones had indicated that she “does not wish to take up the offer of a place on the Children, Young People and Education Committee”.
The committee has six members from the different parties represented in the Senedd and is chaired by Labour’s Buffy Williams.
‘Key issues’
Its function is to look at policy and legislation and hold the Welsh Government to account in areas that include children and young people such as education, health, care services and social care.
In the Senedd on Wednesday (October 8), Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle, also pointed out Reform’s absence from the education committee.
She said: “Education has also scored lowly amongst Reform loyalists when asked to name the biggest problems facing the country, and teachers actually came bottom amongst the groups the Government should protect when making spending decisions.
“Unfortunately, that picture is being reflected in this Senedd, where our only Reform Member has turned down a place on the vital Children, Young People and Education Committee, where she had the opportunity to pursue issues on behalf of young people.”
The cabinet secretary’s comments came following questions from Tory Senedd Member Tom Giffard who pointed out that Reform’s recent conference “didn’t have a single event focusing on education”.
He said: “A party that has nothing to say on education, one of the key issues at the next Senedd election, should be the last people entrusted to run our education system in Wales.”
Declined
Jones previously served as the shadow minister for education in Andrew RT Davies’ shadow cabinet when she was a Welsh Conservative.
She defected to Nigel Farage’s party in a shock announcement at the Royal Welsh Show during the summer.
We asked Jones why she had declined an offer to join the Children, Young People and Education Committee.
We also asked why she was the only Senedd Member not to represent her party on any committee.
Jones passed us on to the Reform Wales press team who did not provide us with any response.
The Reform MS was present during Plenary on Tuesday (October 7) but withdrew her question on housing on Wednesday (October 8) and did not make an appearance in the Chamber.
She told Nation.Cymru this was because she was in hospital.
‘No interest’
Plaid Cymru branded Jones a “part timer” for declining a place on the Senedd’s education committee.
A spokesperson said: “Laura Anne Jones was happy to defect to Reform and claim a full-time salary, but is insistent on only doing a part-time job. You couldn’t make this up.
“Senedd committees play an important part in holding this Labour Government to account but lo and behold, Reform have no interest in taking part.
“Much like UKIP and the Brexit Party before them, Reform is only interested in making a load of noise rather than delivering for the communities of Wales.
“Reform don’t care about Wales, they’re just in it to line their pockets. Only Plaid Cymru is serious about delivering a positive, ambitious future for the people of Wales, and only Plaid Cymru can beat Reform at the ballot box next year.”
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Her focus will remain on closing down Y Senedd so abolishing all committees along with our nation.
She’s becoming more Anglicised by the day, ditching any sense of Welshness as though as if its something to be ashamed of.
Infiltrator. The enemy within.
Part timer. Try no timer. These deform politicians are useless at participating and engaging with their actual constituents.
It is far easier to stand on the side lines criticising and pontificating, than taking responsibility.
A number of articles in Welsh press recently pointed out the apathy of the Labour Welsh Govt in responding to scrutiny and committee reports, maybe that should be sorted out first and foremost as it makes a mockery of the scrutiny process that prevails in the Senedd and the demand for more members that will be elected after next election. Isn’t Jones still under some kind of investigation by the Standards unit if so it seems strange to get her onto a committee that she may not be on for long. Or is it the govt trying to contrive another… Read more »
Problem on a committee she wont have time to check in with Nige as to what she is supposed to say and if she is on one then we get to see what they will be like next year. Political cowards.
I have noted recently, only from the Reform party may I add an increasing refusal to answer any questions when asked to respond or comment on any subject that may cause them any embarrassment or expose them for what they really stand for . An admission of guilt maybe? Or something to hide ? As they say the silence is deafening.
Why would the Abolish Wales party want to contribute to better governance in Wales.
you really wouldn’t want Reform anywhere near your kids or their education, count this as a blessing. Calling out your opponents for alleged crimes against society for which you yourself are responsible, there’s a name for that.
If the shambles that has emerged in Reform controlled councils in England is anything to go by, she appears to be well qualified.
The only thing Reform is capable of at is stoking division.
A Senedd controlled by Reform would be a disaster for Wales.
It should be renamed the Can’t Be Arsed Party.
Kent went in promising savings and cut to bills. They got in and found out governing is hard and council’s are often strapped for cash and are now asking for help. They are going to raise council tax by the maximum they can.
Don’t forget they parachute in unelected bureaucrats, something farage has always railed against. Unless they own him, which they do.