Caroline Jones, Former UKIP Senedd Leader, Dies at 71

Caroline Jones, former UKIP leader in the Senedd, has died at 71 after severe sepsis. She served as an MS from 2016-2021, was known for her dedication to democracy and freedom, and faced political challenges throughout her career.

Caroline Jones, Former UKIP Senedd Leader, Passes Away

Caroline Jones, who served as the leader of UKIP in Cardiff Bay, has died at the age of 71. She had been receiving palliative care following a diagnosis of severe sepsis.

Jones fell ill on the night of the election results after attending the count at Barry Leisure Centre earlier that day. She passed away in Treforest Hospital during the early hours of Thursday morning.

At the time of the Senedd election, she was an independent candidate for the Bridgend constituency, where she resided. Prior to that, she had left Reform UK shortly after refusing to be third on the party list for Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr.

Her husband, Alun Williams, told BBC Cymru that she was a "wonderful woman" who was popular in the Senedd and "could not do enough for other people."

Career Before Politics

Born in 1955 at Llwynypia Hospital in Rhondda, Caroline Jones trained as a drama and physical education teacher. She later established her own cafes in Porthcawl and Bridgend.

Before entering politics, she spent over seven years working as a prison officer at Parc Prison in Bridgend until 2005.

Jones served as a Member of the Senedd (MS) for South West Wales from May 2016 to May 2021. She was one of seven UKIP politicians elected to the Senedd (then the Assembly) in 2016, having previously been a member of the Conservative Party.

Ad (970x250)

Ad (425x293)

Soon after her election, internal disputes arose within the UKIP group in Cardiff Bay, with Jones becoming one of three leaders among them.

Subsequently, she joined the Brexit Party but left them as well, accusing the party of holding an "anti-devolution" stance that conflicted with her principles.

Political and Personal Challenges

Owain Clatworthy, a former Reform councillor in Bridgend now with Restore Britain, said Jones had:

"behaved resiliently through political and personal challenges, always remaining true to who she was."

He added that Caroline believed in the importance of democracy, freedom of speech, and standing up for ordinary people.

Llŷr Powell, Reform MS for Blaenau Gwent Caerphilly Rhymney, posted on X:

"I have known Caroline Jones for over 15 years and I am shocked and saddened by the news today. My thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones at this difficult time."