Reform UK figure in Wales says he supports devolving water sector
Emily Price
A prominent Welsh Reform UK figure has told ITV Wales’ Sharp End programme that he would support devolving the water sector to Wales.
Torfaen County Councillor Jason O’Connell, alongside two of his independent colleagues, became the Reform’s first elected politicians in Wales in August last year.
Cllr O’Connell’s comments come despite the party’s only Senedd Member recently saying she wouldn’t rule out scrapping the Senedd altogether if Reform came to power in Wales.
Overhauled
The Welsh Government announced plans on Tuesday (October 21) to change how water is managed, regulated, and delivered in Wales.
It came after a review which called for oversight of water companies in England and Wales to be completely overhauled.
One proposal is the creation of a new, dedicated economic regulator for water in Wales.
During a discussion on Tuesday evening’s Sharp End programme, Plaid Cymru’s Cefin Campbell said: “We can fully devolve water and also sell the water and that is a way we can then bring down bills and invest in the infrastructure.”
Bills
When asked if he agreed, Reform UK’s Cllr Jason O’Connell said: “Yes, I would welcome that… But aside from the financial, and the bills going up.
“I think we have to recognise that there is genuine public anger about the state of our waterways in this country.
“For 26 years it’s been left to rumble on this way and we’ve seen Dŵr Cymru, their senior management team, take excessive pay packets for genuinely poor performance.”
Welsh Conservative MS Tom Giffard criticised Cllr O’Connell saying his suggestions were merely “personal views” and that Reform UK didn’t yet have any official policies.
Reform UK Senedd Member Laura Anne Jones had previously told the BBC that she questioned whether the Welsh Parliament should continue if Reform could not make it “work for Wales”.
Her comments directly contradicted the views of Nigel Farage who has previously dismissed suggestions that his party would scrap the Welsh Parliament and said that Reform’s aim is to “make devolution work”.
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He cant do anything without frog face giving permission and i dont think any of them know any policies that reform has anyway
Reform don’t have a policy on Welsh devolution tbf. The candidates are making up as they go along and it would be best to take it as a personal opinion rather than party policy.
After 100 years of culturally leftwing ideas. Does it really matter if Reform get 5 years? It might actually make Welsh Nationalists grow up, move past post-war ideas and be nationalists. But I don’t like frog face.
If deform gets 5 years with Wales, they will obliterate Wales and the Welsh language and identity along with the senedd. Change, oh yes, Change, but not likely for the better. Only for puten and the super rich.
Reform Ltd is a private company owned by Farage, funded by overseas money. Its policies will be dictated in the future by these people in their own interests. At present, they are a one trick pony based on a lie.
Their performance in the English councils they control is abysmal, focussing on bickering and fighting between members, and resignations and sackings.
They are supposed to be there to ensure improved services and living standards for everyone.
They can’t even get their story straight. Whatever change they bring will be so bent that a cross eyed person maybe able to decipher it.
Oh dear . He previously stood on an Independent ticket in Torfaen He and Cllr. Thomas have gone AWOL from Cwmbran most days campaigning in Caerphilly neglecting their wards. His fellow councillors aren’t best pleased about their absences He famously said when interviewed. “Local elections are about one thing: local people. Party politics has no part to play Llantarnam is the Boroughs best ward because it has already elected 2 Independent Councillors that understand they work for you, and not a party. “ Staggering he was willing to throw that overboard to dance to Farage’s tune Suspect that head office might… Read more »
reform will say anything to get power. This is not their idea. It is a band wagon because they want to be seen at the front of the charge. Lotta money in water, farages backers will want it all.
They also said they will deport anyone they don’t like and remove my human rights and now have an advisor (Orr) that advocates against same sex marriage and abortion.
World famous in Torfaen.
I want Reform to support devolution of policing.
I want Reform to support abolishing Westminster. That would be a reform worthy of the name.
I wan t reform to disappear. The race hate the last few years because of people like farage using it to drive a wedge is not the UK and they are a grifters party for one reason and putin is loving it.
Funny that. Brexit benefited putin. Reform driving a wedge in the UK benefits putin. Always got farage in there.
I saw Reform UK’s Jason O’Connell interviewed on ITV’s Sharp End and noticed he referred to the Senedd Cymru as Assembly. If he’s not up to speed on devolution how on earth can Reform be trusted with the levers of government when they don’t even know that in 2020 the then Welsh Assembly reverted back to being a Welsh Parliament/Senedd Cymru after 600 year hiatus. I take it he’s aware what country he’s in? I’m beginning to doubt it. Also , he says Reform supports devolving the water sector to Wales. Do you honestly believe him. I don’t . After… Read more »