After former Conservative Senedd Member James Evans - recently thrown out of the party over defection speculation - was unveiled as a new recruit, Mr Farage was able to announce the party’s leader in Wales would be former Barnet Council leader Dan Thomas. While it was made clear Mr Thomas had been a council leader, it wasn’t expcility stated he had led a Conservative administration until its defeat to Labour in 2022 was raised by a journalist. Neither was it stated Mr Thomas had been a Conservative councillor until June last year, and only recently left the council to return to Wales. Polls have suggested Reform and Plaid will be battling to form the next Welsh Government, but were described by Mr Farage as the party of “looney polices such as 20mph. I’m delighted with Dan as leader and we’ve selected the right man to lead the party.

Source: The Times February 05, 2026 15:29 UTC