Farage targets Welsh farmers, but questions remain

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage made a surprise visit to the Royal Welsh Show on Tuesday, pledging to put farmers “directly involved in formulating what the right policy is” ahead of next May’s Senedd elections.

“There’s way too much that goes on in politics – whether it’s at Westminster or Welsh government level – frankly, with elected politicians with very limited knowledge of subjects, yet seem to know and understand what the right policy is,” Mr Farage said at a press conference in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells.

See also: Farm leaders weigh up Sustainable Farming Scheme options

He urged Welsh farmers actively involved in agriculture to stand as Reform UK candidates, highlighting the party’s growing rural appeal.

However, opposition parties have criticised Reform UK for lacking clear agricultural policies.

Mr Farage criticised the post-Brexit implementation of agricultural policy, stating: “Nobody in government, or in the senior civil service, ever contemplated us voting to leave, ever had any plan in place.”

He added that after 50 years of EU membership, “we just haven’t caught up yet”.

Former Welsh secretary David Jones, who recently joined Reform UK from the Conservatives, accused the Welsh Labour government of imposing the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) which, based on its own figures, “will mean 5,000 fewer people being employed in the industry, less money for farmers and will mean a lot will likely go out of business”.

Mr Jones also accused deputy first minister Huw Irranca-Davies of withholding the scheme’s impact assessment.

“He’s got it. It’s sitting in his desk drawer, and yet he’s too afraid to publish it because he knows just how badly that will rebound on this Labour government.”

Highlighting Reform UK’s ambitions, Mr Farage confirmed the party will vigorously contest the Welsh Senedd elections next May, aiming “not just to win seats – but to win”.

He hinted that senior Welsh agricultural figures were preparing to stand as candidates.

Laura Jones defection

In a major defection, Conservative Senedd member Laura Anne Jones announced she had joined Reform UK, criticising her former party as “unrecognisable” after 31 years.

She said: “I truly believe that I have joined a party today, in Reform UK, that listens to people… and speaks to me and to many people in terms of the values it offers and what it wants to see done.”

Nigel Farage, David Jones and Laura Anne Jones © MAG/Philip Case

Ms Jones described Wales as “a complete mess” with poor education, health, and economic conditions, adding that: “Wales needs reform… Finally, in this party, I feel part of the solution, not the problem.”

Recent polling highlights Reform UK’s rising influence in Wales, with a July 2025 More in Common survey for Sky News on Senedd voting intention showing Reform UK leading Wales with 28%, ahead of Plaid Cymru at 26% and Labour at 23%.

The Conservatives would drop from official opposition status in the Senedd to securing just 10% of the vote.

Tory disappointment

The Conservatives expressed disappointment at Ms Jones’ defection.

Senedd leader Darren Millar said her decision had left Conservative members and voters feeling “very let down”.

Welsh Labour dismissed Reform UK as “just the Tories in teal ties” and accused Ms Jones of abandoning her party in “a desperate attempt to keep her Senedd seat”.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth called the defection “yet another desperate Tory defection” with “the writing… on the wall for their party’s prospects”.

Liberal Democrat spokesperson David Chadwick criticised Mr Farage’s presence at the show, recalling his controversial support for importing lamb and chlorine-washed chicken.