The stormy arrival of Reform UK in the Welsh Parliament has left a trail of controversy and walkouts in its wake. Just weeks into their term as official opposition, the party's debut has been marred by high-profile incidents that have sparked heated exchanges and emotional responses from other politicians.
During First Minister's Questions, Reform MS Joe Martins for Caerdydd Penarth made headlines for drawing a distinction between Ukrainian and Sudanese refugees, suggesting that only the latter engage in violent crimes. This prompted Labour MS Shav Taj to respond emotionally, fighting back tears as she spoke of her own parents' immigration experiences and describing Mr Martins' comments as "vile stuff" and "really shocking". The remarks were particularly jarring given the Welsh Government's commitment to creating a 'Nation of Sanctuary', aimed at supporting refugees and asylum seekers.
The controversy continued the following day when Mr Martins allegedly claimed that Welsh students were unable to read and that Indian nurses were displacing Welsh workers. These comments led to a walkout by Plaid Cymru, Labour, and Green MSs in protest. While Mr Martins has since been rebuked by the Senedd Llywydd (presiding officer) and remains tight-lipped in plenary, Reform's chief whip, Llŷr Powell, stated that the rest of the chamber should "get used to it", describing their conduct as the "new norm".
Dan Thomas, leader of Reform UK Wales, defended his party's approach, arguing that they operate within Senedd rules and focus on reasoned, evidence-based arguments. He suggested that new voices challenging established consensus naturally attract criticism and that their role is to raise concerns and present perspectives previously underrepresented. However, Ms Taj countered by likening the Senedd to a "circus" and suggesting that Reform UK is prioritising "clickbait moments" over serious parliamentary engagement, despite parliamentary privilege.
The tumultuous start to Reform UK's tenure was further exacerbated when some of their MSs reportedly voted against their own party during a debate on Plaid Cymru's childcare plans. One-third of Reform MSs voted in favour of a motion that included an amendment noting "Reform UK had no commitments on childcare in its Welsh manifesto". Political journalist Will Hayward speculated that these members either misunderstood the motion or accidentally voted incorrectly, highlighting the challenges the new group faces as it establishes itself in the Senedd.