Background and Controversy
Arron Banks, a significant financial contributor to UKIP during Nigel Farage's leadership, recently sparked controversy with a comment on social media. Banks wrote "Welsh lad?" on the platform X in response to a video posted by Plaid Cymru, which featured a Black community organizer from the Tremorfa area of Cardiff.
Liz Saville Roberts, the Plaid Cymru leader in the House of Commons, had stated that Banks appeared to believe "Black people cannot be Welsh." Banks, who is not standing in the upcoming Senedd election, described his comment as a "joke" and accused Plaid Cymru of having "lost their sense of humour."
However, Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform Party in the UK, described Banks' remark as "in poor taste."
"People who continue tweeting after a glass of wine make silly mistakes," Farage added.
When asked if Banks should apologize for the comment, Farage said,
"He should, but he won't, it's Arron Banks."
Farage’s Comments on Banks and Welsh Politics
Farage further clarified that Banks is not involved in Welsh politics, stating,
"Firstly, he is not a candidate, secondly, he is not Welsh, and thirdly, he has never donated to the party."
Banks is the Reform Party candidate for the 2025 mayoral election in West England, where he finished second behind Labour. He was a major financial backer of UKIP during Farage's leadership and participated in the campaign advocating for the UK's departure from the European Union.
He is not standing in the Senedd election scheduled for next week.
Banks’ Response to Criticism
When BBC Cymru asked Banks to explain his comment and respond to Liz Saville Roberts’ criticism, he maintained that it was a joke, saying,
"It was a joke. Plaid, understandably, have lost their sense of humour."
He added,
"Plaid still say that Wales is only for the Welsh and are anti-English."
Additional Information and Related Content
Readers are encouraged to explore the policies of the main political parties by selecting options below. Some policy areas remain under UK government control, while others are managed fully or partially by the Welsh government.
The political parties include:
- Labour Wales
- Welsh Conservatives
- Plaid Cymru
- Welsh Liberal Democrats
- Wales Green Party
- Heritage Party
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