Liberal Democrat Response to James Evans Defection & Reform's Welsh Leader
Responding to the announcement of Dan Thomas as the new leader of Reform UK in Wales, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds said:
"Even Nigel Farage thinks that Reform candidates in Wales aren't up to the job - that's why he's appointed a councillor from London as leader.
"Dan Thomas built his political career as a Conservative council leader in England. The same people who trashed our economy and hollowed out public services should not be trusted to reinvent themselves and lecture Wales about change.
“Wales needs ambition and serious leadership focused on the things that matter to people’s lives. The Welsh Liberal Democrats are offering that ambition, with clear plans to fix childcare, strengthen social care, revive our high streets and protect our NHS.”
Responding to the defection of James Evans to Reform UK, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats & Senedd Member for Mid & West Wales Jane Dodds said:
“Less than a year ago, James Evans told the country that defecting to Reform without facing the voters was an act without principle. Now he has done exactly the same thing himself.
If he genuinely believes what he said then, there is only one credible course of action now. He should resign his seat and call a by-election, so voters can decide whether they want a Reform politician representing them.”
Commenting on James Evans MS' defection to Reform UK, local Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe David Chadwick, said:
“What’s clear is that James Evans is more interested in protecting his own career than standing up for his constituents in Brecon and Radnorshire.
"You could fill a library with his past criticisms of Reform and of Conservative defectors. He has described Reform as a danger to national security because of its links to Russia, and warned they would push Britain towards an insurance-based NHS.
"Yet the moment his own seat came under threat, he jumped ship to the very people he once said had no principles.
"The Welsh Liberal Democrats are clear: our principles are not for sale. We will continue to do what we were elected to do, stand up for our constituents, not engage in political psychodrama.”
ENDS
