Reform MS under fire over Senedd tech complaint
Emily Price
A Reform Member of the Senedd has been accused of failing to grasp the demands of his new role after complaining that he was issued with two laptops and a mobile phone.
Newly elected Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf MS Cai Parry-Jones faced criticism after sharing a photo on social media on Wednesday (May 20) showing two laptops and an iPhone branded with the Senedd Commission logo.
“The Senedd have given each member two £2000 laptops and offered a £1000 phone on top,” he wrote. “That’s approximately £300k all together on devices used primarily for Google Chrome.”
Mr Parry-Jones’ post sparked a strong reaction online, with users pointing out that employers routinely provide technical equipment to help staff carry out their roles effectively.
In a response published on X, former Welsh Conservative MS Gareth Davies wrote: “Do you not like the prospect of having good quality, reliable IT equipment to adequately represent your constituents?
“Technology depreciates quickly and four years is a long time, was five for me, and they’re the only ones you’ll get for the whole of your term.”
Following Mr Parry-Jones’ laptop rant, Reform UK revealed that he had been appointed the party’s new Shadow Cabinet Minister for Finance and Government Efficiency.
After the announcement, the former Cambridge University student published a further post claiming that the reason MSs needed two laptops was because they “aren’t trusted”.
Mr Parry-Jones wrote: “The reason why all 96 Senedd Members get their second £2,000 laptop is because we aren’t trusted to remember to bring our first £2,000 laptop into the chamber with us for plenary.
“As far as I’m aware, that’s it. That’s all the second laptop is there for.
“When I was in the private sector, if you couldn’t be trusted to bring your work laptop into key meetings, you’d be fired.”
Social media users pointed out that Mr Parry-Jones had got his sums wrong.
Reform’s new finance expert later backtracked, admitting he had miscalculated his estimation.
In a further post he wrote: “I’d like to apologise for an error I’ve made. The cost is not approximately £300k, it’s actually closer to £500k.
“96 members x (£1,000 + £2000 + £2000) = £480,000.”
Allocation
The Senedd IT department confirmed that Mr Parry-Jones was issued one iPhone 17 worth £799 and one Microsoft laptop worth £1521 which is covered by an extended warranty for the four-year Senedd term.
There are also secure laptops permanently stationed in the Chamber for voting purposes which are not part of a member’s personal allocation and differ in size and model from the devices issued to members for use outside the Senedd estate.
It is unclear why the two laptops in Mr Parry-Jones’ image appear to be identical.
When MSs are offered iPhones by the Senedd, they are informed that they are not required to accept them and that support is available to help members set up their own devices for Senedd business.
Nation.Cymru asked Mr Parry-Jones whether he intended to return the devices provided by the Senedd, but he did not respond.
We also asked why the two laptops shown in the image he posted online appeared identical, despite only one being issued to him by the Senedd for use outside the estate while the other — a different make and model — remains permanently in the Chamber.
We asked if it were the case that he had borrowed one of his colleagues’ Senedd issued laptops in order to take the photo.
Mr Parry-Jones did not respond.
Cybersecurity
A Senedd Commission spokesperson said: “The standard ICT provision for Members of the Senedd of one business-grade Microsoft Surface laptop is designed to enable Members to carry out their parliamentary and constituency duties effectively and securely.
“Members may also choose either an Apple or Android mobile phone, or to use a personal device.
“Each desk in the Siambr is equipped with its own laptop which is not part of the Member’s personal allocation and remains permanently in the Siambr.
“Members are strongly encouraged to use a Commission-issued laptop to meet the high level of cybersecurity required while undertaking Senedd business.
“Opting not to do so would significantly restrict their ability to work effectively.”
Former Welsh Government minister Mick Antoniw said Mr Parry-Jones’ criticisms came from a “lack of understanding” of the job he had been elected to do.
He said: “During my last month in the Senedd I saw and used the new equipment – it is a significant and important improvement.
“It is essential that there is always a facility for voting and accessing information in the Chamber.
“Members are moving during proceedings from meeting to meeting, discussions with ministers, public and other engagements so it is essential there is a signed on system for each Member in the Chamber.
“The Senedd is a legislature and what is now provided is the basic of what is essential technology.
“Members also need their personal laptops for constituency, committee and office work.
“I have heard the criticisms made which in my view are based on a lack of understanding of the work of a member of parliament, and parliament itself.
“I am sure that will soon change as new Members understand the volume of work and other demands that are required of them.”
‘Idiot’
It comes after Mr Antoniw branded Mr Parry-Jones an “idiot” for complaining about autism-friendly signage in the Senedd’s toilets.
The Reform MS faced a backlash on Monday (May 18) after he posted a photograph to social media showing a yellow notice mounted above a hand dryer warning that the device was loud.
The sign featured both the Senedd and National Autistic Society Cymru logos.
Mr Parry-Jones’ post prompted criticism online, with some users calling on the Senedd newcomer to undergo autism awareness training.
The National Autistic Society Cymru said the notice caused “absolutely no inconvenience to anyone else”, adding that autistic people “need and deserve understanding and support, not judgement”.
The charity confirmed it would run “Understanding Autism” training sessions this year for all MSs and their new staff, including information on how to run autism-friendly constituency offices, “so that all elected members can effectively represent all their constituents”.
Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd MS Rebecca Phillips she was “very concerned” by Mr Parry-Jones’ comments adding that they had undermined his new role and targeted “the most vulnerable in our society”.
Mr Parry-Jones told Nation.Cymru that a number of “non-medical” people had suggested he himself may be autistic.
He argued that the noise level of the hand dryer was that of a normal device, therefore a warning notice was not needed.
When we asked the Reform newcomer whether he would use his new platform to support neurodivergent people, rather than – as some of his social media followers suggested – ridicule them, he responded by threatening legal action.
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Twm Sion acting like an idiot ? Surprise surprise
Gareth and Cai, the makings of a great double act.
Ye, like the chuckle brothers but without the talent
Flags, Hand dryers and now work issue IT equipment.
Reform showing they’re here to sort out the real problems facing the people of Wales……
Not enoug racism and hate you mean? Boats mean nothing whil billionaire thieve off us.
Cai Parry-Jones complaining about being issued standard Senedd IT equipment honestly raises a bigger question — does he actually understand how a modern parliament functions? This isn’t a pub committee or a Facebook group admin page. Members of the Senedd handle confidential constituency cases, safeguarding matters, NHS correspondence, legal documents, government briefings, committee papers and secure internal systems every single day. Of course official devices are issued. Every serious legislature and government institution in the UK and across Europe uses managed secure devices. That is basic governance, cybersecurity and data protection. You cannot realistically expect elected members to conduct parliamentary… Read more »
100% this! His complaint is that of a child getting his first job and not understanding the requirements
Shouldn’t he still be in school?
No helping born again idiots.
Hardly a surprise that politicians need laptops to do their job in 2026.
Needing a second device in Y Siambr is interesting, but it’s probably done that way for a reason and is probably not as expensive as it’s probably designed to remain in place and not be portable.
It’s a laptop so it costs what it costs regardless.
I expect contracts so shop price will not be what the Senedd IT pays, there will also be licencing so he is using his MS Office docs legally to complain about laptops and if they have their act together VPN and tokens to secure remote access when off the Senedd intranet and a IT backup team to deal with faults and issues. Also we have work stations with dedicated laptops, particular software and permissions and security. They have one use and never leave the work station. If the Senedd pop down Curry’s every time they need a new laptop, that… Read more »
Probably for security reasons. What with his having all that worry about Ukrainian flags it wouldn’t do to have Cai leaving his laptop on the train. Would it?
Pi×× and Moan about everything. The only qualifications you need to become a reform MS . I think this bloke is way over qualified 🥱.
Parry-Jones is living proof that you can have all that education and still be dumb.
Bizarre to say “Former Cambridge student”, did he pass, fail and why would I care? I know a lot that went to uni and you never find out unless asked about it. They don’t broadcast it. Its not in bio’s.
His companies house records are interesting.
What’s he used to. Felt-tip pens and crayons? #Twp
Looking at his Linkedin account, he seems to have regularly flitted between jobs on a very frequent basis. This would immediately raise alarm as to his reliability and integrity. Also uses job titles that people would struggle to lcomprehend.
This guy needs to monitored closely, and slapped when he steps out of line : a dangerous fellow.
Cai Parry-Jones. Enw Cymreig iawn. Rhaid bod ei deulu’n falch iawn ohono!
Cai and his Reform buddies are the only tools that are costing the Senedd way too much money and are definitely not needed.
Give all the Reform MSs Microsoft 98 to work on. Problem solved.
His exaggerated readiness to find (groundless) fault with some of the modern essential requirements for his role is, I suspect, triggered by a visceral disapproval of the very existence of a Welsh Parliament. He will likely contribute nothing to the betterment of Cymru during this session.
Ultimately, we all know what is happening here – Reform MSs have been given brief to make as much disruption in the Senedd as possible. To try and degrade it and make us believe it is all a waste of money. The party has no love for the parliament – just getting Farage into number 10.
What an utterly pointless thing for him to be performatively cross about. For a party that likes to shout about politicians never having had “proper jobs” they’re gonna be shocked to learn this is standard practice for any role that requires mobile working and has any security requirement.
It’s almost as if they revel in being pig ignorant.
He KNEW that he had only been issued with ONE laptop and went on to construct an extremely aggressive LIE by photographing two laptops and then drive home the LIE with bogus storytelling and false figures. He has put huge effort into MISLEADING THE PUBLIC before even commencing his elected role. If i was one of the other 95 members, i would be confronting him with ‘you are not going to tell the public that i have received two laptops. You do not speak for me’. He also will not speak for autistic people either. He clearly does not believe… Read more »
It’s clear one is supposed to remain in the chamber to ensure the integrity of voting so his picture raises security questions if he took it out of the chamber.
He also misrepresents the costs because retail prices are totally different. Government devices will likely benefit from VAT refunds, corporate bulk discounts, and trade in credits when returning older devices.
We have the power to deal with clowns like him.
The more written complaints about his conduct, the better.
We need to clear this behavior out of our senedd and send it back to westminster where it belongs.
He should be suspended for his actions and face the standards commissioner and yes, we need to clear Y Senedd of this kind of filth but to be fair to Westminster, it really doesn’t belong anywhere.
Obviously frustrating to be given the tools to do the job because it’s one less excuse for not doing his job.
Oh god not him again🤦, he’s very quickly taken over RTs role of Senedd clown hasn’t he. I’ll need to keep checking in for my daily chuckle😂.
He’s just surpassed this by demanding that the Ukrainian Flag be removed from the Senedd. I’m waiting for his mate Gareth to demand that Cyngor Sir Gaer remove those spanking new Ukrainian and Pride flags from Llanelli Town Hall.
Reform MSes making stories up, and then making a fuss about it, is, I would suggest, what we should expect. Issuing Microsoft laptops and then talking about cyber security is a bit of a joke, given that Richmond itself does enough spying and it is well known that Microsoft Windows has built-in ‘backdoors’ enabling the US NSA and by association, GCHQ in the UK to access data on such laptops. I would think the situation similar on both iPhone and Android systems. Another consideration is the sheer cost of Microsoft licensing – a good subject for an FoI request. Is… Read more »
Downvoting alternative views into oblivion is wasted opportunity to sharpen counterarguments.
True. And comments like Adrian’s really do need showing. He’s an accurate depiction of of a cymru hater and the public can’t recognise the threat if its kept hidden.
We may not agree with Adrian, and goodness knows it’s fun to wind him up but he is entitled to express his misguided opinions. Whether he’d get invited to the Oxford Union is another thing altogether.
The Shadow Finance Minister and Cambridge ‘educated’ expert is £479 +£201 = £680 x 96 = £65,280 out with his calculations but in billions in through the back door RefUK land, it’s just small change so don’t worry about it eh?
This man is stupid enough to leave his A level results as well as his career history on Linkedin. Some points: 1. He would never have been accepted at Cambridge based on his A level results. 2. He went to Exeter university and years later, after a seemingly underwhelming career, got a scholarship from a Welsh charity (Oh the irony!) to study for a Masters at Cambridge. 3. Whether he actually completed and passed this course is a moot point ( since his exams would have been during the election campaign. Something is rotten about the state of Cai. He… Read more »
What an odious little man he is showing himself to be, and its only taken him a week..
If he’s obsessed by waste why did he choose an iPhone rather than the cheap and cheerful Android he was offered? Two-tier Cai doesn’t follow his own rules.
All the lefties in the comments having a meltdown. It’s lush 4x lush.
There are tools and then there are tools.