Nigel Farage has vowed to transform Wales' political landscape if Reform UK wins next year's Senedd election. The party leader promised to bring "fresh thinking" to a country that has been under Labour control since devolution began in 1999.
Recent polling suggests a dramatic shift may be underway, with both Reform UK and Plaid Cymru topping surveys for the election scheduled for May. Labour's quarter-century dominance of Welsh politics now faces its strongest challenge yet.
Policy development underway
Speaking during a BBC Politics Wales interview in Caerphilly on Friday, which aired on Sunday, Farage revealed he has assembled a dedicated team to develop Welsh policies. He confirmed meetings with David Jones, the former Conservative Welsh secretary, as part of this preparation.
"We're going to bring in fresh thinking," Farage said. "We want to use every devolved power we possibly can to make the lives of small businesses and other bigger businesses easier in Wales."
The Reform leader emphasised his party's pro-business stance, stating: "That is what we've got to devise for our manifesto coming up for May, to say we're actually on the side of people working and people having jobs."
Coalition questions emerge
Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth refused to commit to forming a coalition with Labour to prevent Reform from entering government. Speaking on BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, he acknowledged his party's desire to "keep Reform out" but stopped short of pledging cooperation.
"We would be in a position now if the polls are anywhere near to reflecting what the vote would be to being able to form a minority government of our own," ap Iorwerth said. He noted that Wales has never had a majority government since devolution began.
Electoral timeline
Farage acknowledged it remains too early for detailed policy announcements, describing mid-October as premature for comprehensive commitments. "All I can promise you is it'll be very different to the status quo of the last quarter of a century," he said.
The upcoming Caerphilly by-election features eight candidates: Llyr Powell (Reform), Lindsay Whittle (Plaid Cymru), Richard Tunnicliffe (Labour), Gareth Potter (Conservatives), Gareth Hughes (Greens), Anthony Cook (Gwlad), Steve Aicheler (Liberal Democrats), and Roger Quilliam (UKIP).
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
