Laura Anne Jones, a Reform MS representing Sir Fynwy Torfaen, has been elected deputy leader of the party in Wales following a vote among the group's Senedd members. The election took place after Helen Jenner vacated the position to assume the party's top role in the chamber.
Jenner's promotion to leader came after Dan Thomas, the previous party chief, resigned last week. Thomas stepped down following his arrest on suspicion of assault and coercive or controlling behaviour. He remains on police bail pending further enquiries and has denied any wrongdoing.
In her statement following her election, Jones expressed optimism about her new role:
We've made a fantastic start here in the Senedd, giving a voice to the voiceless and standing up for Wales' left-behind communities. I'm excited to work with Helen Jenner and the rest of our team to deliver the real change Wales needs.
The deputy leadership election was conducted among Reform's 33 Senedd members, though the party did not initially disclose who stood against Jones. This internal ballot approach differs from the practice of other group leaders in Cardiff Bay, none of whom faced competition before taking their posts.
Who is Laura Anne Jones?
Jones is a former Conservative politician who defected to Reform during the summer of 2025. Her switch represented one of the party's highest-profile gains in Wales at the time, announced at a press conference held at the Royal Welsh Show that generated significant reaction among her former Conservative colleagues.
Jones was elected on Reform's list in Sir Fynwy Torfaen at the May election and is now in her third term in the Senedd. She serves as the party's rural affairs spokesperson.
In November 2025, Jones faced a two-week suspension from the Senedd after it emerged she had used a racial slur to describe Chinese people in a WhatsApp conversation from August 2023. Following the incident, she issued an apology, stating she was
genuinely sorryfor using the slur, and denied that she held racist views.
Jones has also attracted controversy for other statements made during her time in the chamber. She claimed that rival parties had
entertainedthe idea of children self-identifying as cats, a remark that drew accusations of misinformation. Jones responded by saying the matter had been raised with her by parents concerned about the issue.
How did Helen Jenner become party leader?
Jenner was elected by Reform MSs in a meeting on Monday and was unveiled by UK party leader Nigel Farage on the Senedd steps. Farage described Jenner, who had previously been a member of UKIP before joining Reform's predecessor the Brexit Party, as
a determined campaigner.
Jenner had served as deputy leader since April 2026 and represents Bangor Conwy Môn in the Senedd. She had already stepped in for Thomas at First Minister's Questions shortly before his resignation, signalling her readiness to assume the leadership role.
What happens next for Reform Wales?
Reform Wales is expected to unveil its full shadow cabinet by the end of the week, according to party sources. Jones' appointment as deputy leader will operate under Jenner's new leadership structure going forward, as the party seeks to stabilise its position following the recent upheaval in its senior ranks.
