Farage: Wales shows what a Labour government will do

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By David Deans, Political reporter, BBC Wales News • Jennifer McKiernan, Political reporter, BBC News, @_JennyMcKiernan

Wales shows what happens to a country when Labour is in charge, Nigel Farage has said ahead of the release of his party's plans for government.

Reform UK will launch its version of a general election manifesto – which it is calling a "contract" – in Merthyr Tydfil because Mr Farage claims it has been "let down" by its Labour government in Cardiff.

The party's priorities across the UK include a freeze on non-essential immigration, cuts to income tax and higher defence spending.

Welsh Labour said Reform are a "band of chancers seeking to sow division", while the Welsh Conservatives said they had a "strong record in standing up to Labour".

Reform was known as the Brexit party until 2021. Former Brexit party Senedd politician Caroline Jones is among those standing for the party.

Mr Farage, who returned as Reform party leader a few weeks ago, said: "One of the reasons we are launching our contract with the people of Britain in Wales is because it shows everyone exactly what happens to a country when Labour is in charge."

Mr Farage attacked Labour's record on health and education in Wales, said Covid restrictions were tougher than in England, and claimed the 20mph speed limit policy was "deeply unpopular".

"Since devolution, the Welsh have been ignored by the London political establishment and let down by the Labour administration they elected," he claimed.

"Meanwhile, the Tories have been the official opposition almost solidly since 2016 and have achieved zilch, which probably explains why we are neck-and-neck with them in the polls in Wales.

"So, if you want a picture of what the whole country will be like with a Starmer government and a feeble Conservative opposition, come to Wales."

With the party's opinion poll ratings improving, its leader is staking a claim to being the opposition to Labour across the UK, with stopping some immigration a key focus.

Reform says the UK should leave the European Convention on Human Rights, freeze non-essential immigration and stop Channel crossings by removing migrants from boats and returning them to France.

Workers would be allowed to earn £20,000 before starting to pay any income tax and there would also be tax relief for those taking out private health insurance instead of using the NHS.

The charter sets out how this could be paid for by axing chunks from the welfare bill, scrapping net zero targets and reducing the cost of government by 5%, as well as scrapping the planned HS2 link between London and Birmingham.

Jessica Morden, Welsh Labour's campaign chair, said: "Nigel Farage's brand of divisive politics is not welcome here in Wales.

"Wales has a proud history of being an inclusive society, and Reform's band of chancers seeking to sow division will find little succour.

"It's no wonder that all of Farage's party were turfed out of the Welsh Parliament at the last election."

A Welsh Conservative Senedd spokesman said the party had a "strong record in standing up to Labour on immigration", citing its opposition to the Welsh government's decision to allow asylum seekers leaving care to take part in the two year basic income pilot.

He added: "Labour has repeatedly shown their true colours on immigration, and a vote for Reform will allow Labour into Downing Street.

"The only way to see a tough approach on immigration is to vote for the Welsh Conservatives."

A Plaid Cymru spokesperson said: "For Nigel Farage, Wales is nothing but a prop to boost his own ego.

"He has sold lies to people in post-industrial areas in the past and will do so again tomorrow.

"Reform will blame all of Wales' ills on immigration, but what areas like Merthyr Tydfil need is investment and jobs, not Nigel Farage's divisive agenda."

The Brexit Party briefly had a group of Members of the Senedd in the Welsh Parliament – made up of former UKIP politicians elected in 2016.

It failed to win seats at the Senedd election in 2021 but has discussed making a fresh bid for Welsh Parliament in two years' time.

Wales voted to leave the European Union at the European Union referendum in 2016, and elected seven Senedd members from Mr Farage’s former party UKIP the same year.