Farage Calls for Apology Over Social Media Remarks
Nigel Farage has stated that a prominent member of the Reform party should apologise for an online comment that has led to accusations of racism. The comment was made by Arron Banks in response to a Plaid Cymru video featuring a black community organiser from Cardiff.
Banks posted the phrase "Welsh Lad?" on X, formerly known as Twitter, which sparked criticism. Banks, who is not a candidate in the upcoming Senedd election, described his comment as a "joke" and claimed that Plaid Cymru had "lost their sense of humour."
However, Reform's UK leader Nigel Farage told BBC Wales on Wednesday that the remarks were in "poor taste," adding:
"People who keep on tweeting after a glass of wine make some blooming silly mistakes."
Liz Saville Roberts, Plaid Cymru's leader in the House of Commons, responded by asserting that Banks appeared to believe "black people can't be Welsh."
Arron Banks previously stood as a Reform candidate in the 2025 West of England mayoral election, narrowly losing to the Labour candidate. He has also been a significant donor to UKIP and supported Farage's campaign advocating for the UK to leave the European Union.
When asked if Banks should apologise for his remarks, Farage replied:
"Yeah, he won't - he's Arron Banks."
Farage further clarified that Banks is not involved in Welsh politics:
"Number one he's not a candidate, number two he's not Welsh, number three he's never given money to the party."
Farage on Potential Reform-Conservative Cooperation in Wales
Farage also commented on the possibility of Reform collaborating with the Conservative Party in Wales. He described such cooperation as "highly undesirable," though he acknowledged that parties may need to work together to form the next Welsh government or to pass legislation in the Senedd.
He emphasised that any decision on cooperation would rest with Reform's Welsh leader, Dan Thomas:
"It would be Dan Thomas's decision, I've devolved power to Dan Thomas. He's our leader in Wales, he will make those decisions, albeit it in consultation with me."
Farage expressed skepticism that a Reform-Conservative pact would be necessary, predicting poor Conservative performance in the upcoming Welsh election on 7 May:
"I think you're going to find there are hardly any Conservatives that get elected."
During a BBC Welsh leaders debate held on Tuesday night, Dan Thomas stated that Reform would collaborate with any party "that will help deliver our manifesto." Conservative candidate Darren Millar did not rule out working with Reform or other parties if it would assist in implementing Tory policies such as income tax cuts.
Farage's comments to BBC Wales were part of a series of interviews with UK party leaders ahead of the Senedd election.
