Helen Jenner, Reform's deputy Welsh leader and education spokesperson, has described criticism she received for attending the National Eisteddfod as a member of the right-wing party, saying online commenters claimed she had no right to be present at the Welsh language festival.
Jenner, who grew up on Anglesey, acknowledged the hostile remarks but dismissed them as unfounded. Speaking to a political podcast, she detailed the nature of the opposition she encountered and explained why it would not deter her from her work.
What criticism did Jenner face at the Eisteddfod?
Online commenters, some of them professional figures, objected to her presence at the festival because of her Reform membership. One remark she highlighted claimed she had
no right to be in the Eisteddfod, because I'm in Reform, I had no right to be there, and that it was a disgrace that I was there speaking Welsh.
Much of the hostility came from supporters of rival parties. Jenner noted that
a lot of, I will be honest, Plaid Cymru, Yes Cymru supporters being very annoyed at the fact that I portray myself as a Welsh person because apparently, you know, you can't be Welsh-speaking in Reform. She attended the Eisteddfod in August 2026, though Reform did not have an official stall on the Maes.
Despite the backlash, Jenner remained unmoved.
I get bits like that, but it doesn't bother me. I just think it's ridiculous.
How has the death of Ann Widdecombe affected her?
Jenner expressed serious concern for her own family's safety following the death of Ann Widdecombe. Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, after police believed she was attacked there a day earlier, and a man was arrested on suspicion of murder and terror offences.
The incident has weighed heavily on Jenner. She said:
What happened to Ann Widdecombe was so horrifying I don't even think I fully processed it. Because I think if I fully actually engaged with the nature of what happened I would just be in a bit of a state.
The experience has prompted her to take security measures.
I am concerned about... my family, I'm concerned about other members. I want my home to be secure but one thing it hasn't done is put me off. It has made me more determined to determine to carry on.
What is Jenner's position on Welsh language policy?
As the party's spokesperson on the Welsh language, Jenner has called for a reassessment of the Welsh Government's approach to language promotion. She expressed concern that current strategies are not delivering results despite an ambitious target.
The Welsh Government aims to reach one million Welsh speakers by 2050. However, the most recent census data tells a different story. The 2021 Census showed that 538,300 people aged three or older, or 17.8% of the population, could speak Welsh. This represented a decline from the previous census in 2011, when 562,000 Welsh speakers were recorded.
Jenner questioned the effectiveness of the current strategy, saying:
Something is kind of going wrong because there are fewer people at the moment, the uptick is a bit lower. I just think we need to look at it again, because what's the point in having that target if it's achieving the opposite?
The gap between ambition and reality is significant. A commissioner report published in 2026 found a shortfall of 41,700 people between the Cymraeg 2050 projection and the 2021 Census result, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing policymakers.
What solutions does Jenner propose?
Drawing on her background as a former teacher, Jenner has identified the education system as crucial to reversing the decline in Welsh speakers. She advocates for increasing the number of Welsh-speaking teachers and strengthening bilingual education delivery.
From my personal experience that is where a lot of youngsters get their Welsh and are able to... learn Welsh properly, she explained. Her focus on teacher recruitment and training reflects a belief that the classroom remains the most effective environment for language acquisition among young people.
What happens next?
The Welsh Government has indicated it will update its statistical trajectory toward the one million speaker target using 2021 Census data and the latest Welsh population figures, though no specific date has been announced for this review. Jenner's calls for policy reassessment add pressure on ministers to demonstrate progress on an objective that has become increasingly difficult to achieve.
