Nigel Farage and Dan Thomas Present Reform Manifesto
Reform has announced that it will prioritize Welsh residents for social housing if it wins the next Senedd election.
The party launched its manifesto on Thursday in Newport, pledging to remove the 20mph speed limit and build a relief road for the M4.
Reform stated it would prioritize social housing "based on long-term residency" if it forms the next Welsh government.
The party also promised to "support the Welsh language," they said.
Dan Thomas, their leader in Wales, referred to a community council's attempt to impose a language condition on a new housing estate in Gwynedd, stating the party would not "discriminate against people who do not speak Welsh."
"The manifesto is a plan for real change," Thomas said.
According to their UK leader, Nigel Farage, there is no need for "targets or quotas" on the Welsh language when asked if he would abolish the Welsh Language Commissioner’s office.
Teleri Glyn Jones Assesses Reform Manifesto
Reform is the second party to publish its manifesto for the Senedd election—a document outlining the promises a party makes to voters.
Led by Nigel Farage in the UK, Reform is believed to be competing with Plaid Cymru to become the main party after the vote on 7 May, according to opinion polls.
"With this blueprint, we have all the building blocks to end a generation of decline here in Wales," said Thomas, who was appointed by Farage in February and is a former council leader in London.
Reform Announces Senedd Election Manifesto
Reform does not intend to withdraw funding from Bangor over a freedom of expression dispute, according to a party politician.
"I am and have been living in Wales," said the Reform leader in Wales.
Farage, who also attended the event in Newport on Thursday, said:
"In a Senedd election campaign marked by fantasy economics from other parties, this document is a serious plan to deliver the real change Wales deserves."
When asked what prioritizing "Welsh residents for social housing" means and who would be considered Welsh, a Reform spokesperson said, "It will be based on long-term residency."
The party said it would eliminate international aid and instead "spend taxpayers' money in Wales."
Typically, the UK Government is responsible for international aid, although £1 million has been allocated for "international sustainable development" in the Welsh Government's 2026/27 budget.
An individual interrupted Nigel Farage while he was speaking at the event.
The party promises to hold referendums if local authorities raise council tax by more than 5%, similar to a policy launched earlier this week by the Conservatives.
Reform pledged to "upgrade key roads," including the M4 relief road in South Wales and the A55 in North Wales—similar to promises made by the Conservatives.
They said they would "remove" default 20mph speed limits. The Conservatives also said they would reverse the limit and "adopt a targeted approach."
Reform stated that "Wales' health service will always remain free" and promised to reduce waiting lists, end corridor care, and protect the NHS for the future by upgrading hospitals and digital infrastructure.
The sustainable farming scheme—the controversial plan that replaced European Union farming subsidies—would be reformed to "allow farmers to farm," said Reform, adding that it would work with farmers to achieve a 10-year food strategy.
At the manifesto launch in Newport, the party invited members paying £5 each to the event, as well as the press.
Two Conservative MPs have joined the party in the past year—Laura Anne Jones and James Evans. Former Welsh Secretary David Jones has also joined Reform.
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