Nigel Farage Criticised for Comments on Welsh Language
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has drawn criticism from rival political parties after describing Welsh people as "foreign speakers" in a paid video message.
Farage made the remark in a recorded greeting where he expressed being "gutted" at missing a wedding because half the guests were Welsh.
Labour, Plaid Cymru, the Conservatives, and other parties condemned Farage's video, which was produced via the Cameo platform, a service where celebrities record personalised messages for a fee.
A spokesperson for Farage stated that the videos "should not be treated as political statements or campaign activity."
discovered the video seven weeks before Wales' Senedd election, in which Reform UK is competing to lead the next Welsh government.
Cameo users submit a short prompt for their chosen celebrity and pay for a clip typically lasting under a minute.
In the clip, Farage said:
"Gutted I couldn't attend the wedding. I wanted to come, but I heard that half the guests were Welsh and, I don't know. Who knows what would have happened with all those foreign speakers there. I don't know."
According to , the Cameo user requested Farage to record a wedding message for "Toby and Sam" in July 2025, following a script that included the phrase that the number of Welsh guests was "far too many foreigners for me."
Political Parties Respond to Farage's Remarks
The video surfaced on Thursday, prompting criticism from several political figures.
Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Darren Millar described the comment as a "gross insult to the people of Wales."
"These comments suggest that Reform UK doesn't care about Wales, our language, our culture or our heritage," he said.
A Welsh Labour spokesperson added:
"Here we have it clear as day - Farage's disdain for the people of Wales and the Welsh language."
On the social media platform X, Plaid Cymru stated that Reform UK "was not fit to be anywhere near power in Wales."
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds called Farage's comment "disgraceful," describing it as demonstrating "sneering ignorance."
The Wales Green Party also condemned the remarks, stating:
"Farage has no respect for Wales at all."
A party spokesperson accused him of making "glib remarks about us like one more group of people to aim his hatred at."
Reform UK Member Responds and Language Importance Affirmed
James Evans, a Reform Member of the Senedd (MS), told BBC Wales that while Farage must answer for his own words, the Welsh language remains "very important" to the party.
"Wales, let me be very clear, is a bilingual nation. We speak English and Welsh, and whatever language you speak, you should feel welcome in our country."
Farage has produced several videos through the Cameo app. Payments he received from this platform were among the financial interests he failed to register within the required 28-day period, resulting in a breach of MPs' rules in January.
A spokesperson for Farage reiterated:
"A Cameo is a short personalised message requested by members of the public and should not be treated as political statements or campaign activity."
Context Ahead of Senedd Election
Recent polling indicates that Plaid Cymru and Reform UK are competing for the leading position in the upcoming May Senedd election, while Labour aims to retain power in Cardiff Bay.
