Tory staffer caught posting pro-Reform content in online Welsh community groups
Emily Price
A Conservative staffer hired to promote the views of a Senedd Member on social media has been sharing Reform UK propaganda in community Facebook groups.
Gavin Chambers has worked as an engagement advisor for South Wales East MS Laura Anne Jones at the Senedd since 2022.
The role requires the staffer to “liaise with constituents, media, and external partners to promote the interests and views” of Ms Jones.
It is understood that Chambers earns several hundred pounds a month to distribute the Tory MS’s social media posts into various Facebook groups.
In recent days, members of the Usk, Cefn Fforest and Brynmawr community Facebook pages told Nation.Cymru that Chambers is also sharing pro-Reform posts and arguing with members who disagree with the party’s politics.
Last week, Chambers – who lives in Southend on Sea – shared a video into the Usk Community group of Laura Anne Jones speaking in the Senedd about a petition to save a canal at risk of closure.
But the next day, the Tory staffer shared a Reform UK post which said: “Reform is level with Labour and Plaid Cymru in the latest poll. The Cardiff Bay establishment is in panic mode.
“They know Reform stands for the people they’ve ignored for decades.”
In the Cefn Fforest Caerphilly Facebook group, Chambers shared posts from Ms Jones as well as a news article featuring Reform’s leader Nigel Farage with the headline: “Reform UK deals crushing blow to Lib Dems with thumping by-election win ahead of local elections.”
In the comments section, the Conservative employee appeared to defend Nigel Farage’s party against any group members who expressed anti-Reform views.
One group member said: “The racists are everywhere and it’s nice when they show their heads.”
Chambers replied: “Before you argue with someone, ask yourself, is that person even mentally mature enough to grasp the concept of a different perspective. Because if not there’s absolutely no point.”
Another group member commented: “Vote for Reform and you get our very own Donald Trump. GET A GRIP!”
Chambers replied: “Sounds perfect to me. You sold it!”
In the Brynmawr community hub, the Conservative staffer shared a post from Reform MP James McMurdock with an image which said: “Labour and the Tories have broken our NHS.”
One user of the page told us that when they pointed out that Chambers was working for the Welsh Conservatives – the pro-Reform posts were suddenly deleted.
Labour MS, Hefin David, described Chambers’ posts as a “deceitful misuse of Facebook.”
He said: “This is a misuse of Facebook and is deceitful. This kind of activity, which is clearly politically motivated should be exposed for the manipulation that it is. Whatever the merits of the argument we should have honesty in politics.”
Anti-Tory
Chambers has also shared anti-Tory posts in the online groups.
In an online spat with a group member, the staffer claimed to be employed by the NHS.
A Senedd insider told us Chambers is still listed in the internal system as working for Laura Anne Jones. As does the former Tory election candidate’s LinkedIn profile.
We asked Chambers a series of questions:
- Is Reform paying you to share their content too?
- Does Laura know you are sharing Reform’s content in groups which include her constituents?
- Are you still a Conservative member or do you now have a membership with Reform?
We did not receive a response.
The Welsh Conservatives were invited to comment but declined to do so. Ms Jones did not reply to our request for a statement.
It is understood that Chambers is not being paid by Reform UK and is not a member of staff for the party.
Candidate
Chambers is currently the Conservative Deputy Chairman for the Lea Valley Area and was previously the Chairman of Islwyn Conservatives and Deputy Chairman Political in Epping Forest.
The staffer stood unsuccessfully as a Conservative candidate for the Islwyn seat at the 2021 Senedd election.
In 2023, Chambers featured in another Nation.Cymru story regarding posts distributed by the Tory staffer in several online community groups
The pages – set up by the Conservative team member – had the outward appearance of being community hubs offering information for locals.
But members of the groups said Chambers flooded the pages with Conservative propaganda and blocked people who questioned the content.
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Can they sink any lower? Apparently so.
Hard to tell em apart really. They have had a lot of Cons defections then they flip back. Hard to find the right far right vibe I suppose when you are that way inclined.
No response. This is the non rules based, act with impunity, anything goes, wild west Trump class in action. I have used the term ‘Toryform’ a few times and this demonstrates why. They’ve gone from the five families of their so called ‘broad church’ of internal self constructed opposition, that in fact was so narrow it could not even accommodate its’ own more ‘moderate’ centre right types let alone recognise that there were any other parties in existence, to just two cess pit squabblers actually acting as one. I hope they don’t merge as I want their vote split but… Read more »
Would you say Nigel’s somewhere in-between?
Ha! Crackin’! 🤣
Humour wins every time! Diolch..
Two cheeks, somewhere in between, crackin’? Somehow from the darkness comes the light of laughter. Da iawn! 👍
Stop it, Albert’s getting suspicious.
Unacceptable and appalling but not surprising. Every time you think they’ve hit rock bottom, they go a little bit lower.
Laura Anne Jones’ team is clearly a clown car operation, they’d all be well suited for Reform.
Ed Sumner spreading our network’s tentacles into Conservative Senedd staff and MSs! Not difficult, since he was once in their gang!
Llyr Powell does pretty pictures for James McMurdock and then Conservative Senedd Staff post his work!
Well done to all concerned! Can’t wait until all three start leaking to Hope Not Hate again!