Welsh Tories reshuffle after MS jumps ship to Reform UK
Emily Price
The Senedd Conservatives have reshuffled their shadow cabinet after a member of the group defected to Reform UK.
Laura Anne Jones joined Reform’s leader Nigel Farage at the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells on Tuesday (July 22) to announce she was jumping ship.
The South Wales East MS had not told the Tory Senedd group of her plans beforehand.
Several of her colleagues were expecting her to join them at the party’s stand at the show.
Jones had previously held the local government and armed forces brief in the Senedd’s shadow cabinet.
On Wednesday (July 23) Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar announced changes to his team.
Changes
Joel James has been appointed as the new Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Housing.
James Evans is taking on the Armed Forces portfolio to become the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health, Social Care and the Armed Forces.
Natasha Asghar is appointed to a wider portfolio and becomes the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Children, Young People and Education.
Millar said: “I am pleased to announce today’s changes to my Shadow Cabinet team.
“The Welsh Conservatives are the only credible alternative to the failing Labour Government here in Wales, and we are the only conservative party that will be on the ballot paper in the Senedd elections next May.
“After 26 years of devolution under Labour, our country is broken, only the Welsh Conservatives will fix Wales.”
‘Disappointed’
Jones told reporters in Builth Wales her decision to defect after 31 years as a Conservative member was due to the fact she could no longer justify her party’s policies on the doorstep.
Her former colleague Tom Giffard accused her of “barely turning up” to meetings to be part of discussions where she could have contributed to shaping the party.
He added that the Welsh Conservative group had a lot of talented people – but that Jones wasn’t one of them.
James Evans – a close friend of Jones – said he was “disappointed” in her decision to defect.
He told ITV journalists at the Royal Welsh that Reform “would have to put up with everything they have got now”.
Asked what he meant but the comment, Evans replied: “You’ll have to wait and see won’t you.”
Reform’s newest recruit has found herself in hot water several times over the last year.
She is currently at the centre of a Senedd probe over her expenses and office culture.
In May last year, South Wales Police launched an investigation into Jones’ expenses following allegations that she had made false mileage claims.
Complaint
The complaint had been referred to the force by the Senedd’s Standards Commissioner Douglas Bain.
Police later dropped their investigation saying no evidence of fraudulent activity had been found.
The outcome of the Bain’s probe is expected to be announced soon – Jones has hinted she is pleased with the outcome.
It is understood that her former chief aide – Ed Sumner – gave evidence to the Bain’s investigation.
After leaving Jones’ employment several months ago, he joined Reform UK as the party’s communications lead.
Ms Jones was caught up in another controversy when Nation.Cymru revealed a screen grab of a racist slur she had sent her staff.
During a WhatsApp exchange about the Chinese owned video app TikTok, the South Wales East MS sent a message saying: “No chinky spies for me!”
Further text messages sent by the then Conservative Senedd Member were also leaked to the media including jokes about Natasha Asghar’s dead father and offensive comments about a staff member she believed had ADHD.
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She certainly does not sound like a pleasant person and she has jumped from a ship into a boat with a leak in it.
leaving a sinking ship to join the rats!
Just an observation…half the Labour members of the Senedd have also jumped ship as well, they said it was an “age” thing , they could have though of a better excuse .
A little belated in response, but not standing for re-election is not the same as upping sticks to join another party.
Farage’s taste in women isn’t at all fussy, although she dresses to match his quaint tastes.
Their style is known as “rich landowner off to collect the rent from their grateful peasants”
I’ve just had lunch then found this stomach churning photo showing the leader of, and the latest proven credentials recruit to, the UKs leading hate organisation almost in a snog. ‘Excuse me? Can you tell me where the toilet is please?’. Hughie Ralph!
“It was about the Chinese, and then I said…”
Are voters electing a party or a personality? I feel the latter. If Reform UK are indeed riding a crest of a wave , why then did voters not continue their support for UKip and Brexit Party after we left Europe. After sll. Both were equally extreme with their far-right views of the EU, especially towards asylum seekers and devolution . Reform UK have no Wales candidates, Welsh leader, or do they have any costed Welsh policies. They are attracting failed Welsh Conservatives who like rats attacking a sinking ship. And not a day goes by there isn’t news of… Read more »
If they are riding the crest of wave, you do wonder why they failed to win any of the three county council by-elections held in Wales last week , two of which they probably expected to win.
The filth of fascism will only flow downwards.
What an incredibly nasty and awful part of the human race. When did politics stoop so low??
Worse still, when did humanity sink so low to even contemplate allowing the worst of society to stand as politicians?
Not a good image considering Laura was fined drink and drive!
Reform, a home for other parties’ failures and dodgy characters. Name one without an ‘interesting’ past.