Nigel Farage’s party Reform held an event to welcome its first three elected representatives in Wales this week but the news did not get a positive reaction. Three Torfaen councillors have all defencted to Reform UK, giving the party its first official presence in Wales.
Former independent councillors David Thomas, Jason O’Connell, and Alan Slade, all cited Reform’s “common sense” approach as a key factor in their decision to transfer allegiances. However people commenting on WalesOnline’s article thought that changes of party allegiance simply shouldn’t be allowed without another vote.
Thomas and Slade were previously aligned with Labour while O’Connell was aligned with the Conservatives. They were introduced as Reform members during a press event at Cwmbran’s Greenhouse Pub, an occasion hosted by Lee Anderson MP, Chief Whip of Reform UK, who himself has a history with both Labour and the Conservative Party.
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The three Llantarnam ward councillors ā who will sit as a group of three on the Labour-controlled council ā dismissed any suggestion of calling a by-election, insisting they would continue to represent local people in the same way and would have “no constraints”. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues affecting the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
One reader, Ruckinell writes: “Can you imagine if Reform included within their manifesto that they would hold a Welsh referendum for devolution in Wales. That would get people voting for them to be in with a chance to get rid of the Welsh assembly.”
Anothergrumpy replies: “People vote for independents because they want someone independent of a political party. Now there’s just three more party stooges parroting the party line.”
Weethinkeesluvly writes: “Reform shouldn’t be allowed in by stealth.”
Stulittle adds: “If you think Reform stand for democracy – think again! Take a look at their policies (contract), they are written by their sponsors. They offer nothing but short-term incentives for the businesses that fund them. Forage is an able campaigner (opinion poll surfer), but his background is trading; not listening! I don’t expect Wales to be swayed by his immigration rhetoric – but given his environmental credentials I guess he may propose bringing back coal mining!”
Scissorman writes: “This loophole should be closed immediately, regardless of your political affiliation. If a councillor or MP decides to change party, there should be a by election immediately. This would give them the opportunity to explain their decision to the electorate, and allow them to decide. This is political power by stealth. It is too long to wait until the next council or parliamentary elections, and is forcing your political viewpoint on an electorate who many now strongly disagree. It would also allow for transparency and free speech. If Torfaen then chose to return these councillors as Reform, then I would respect it. I may not agree, but it is fair and democratic. It would also then be a reflection of how the people of Torfaen feel about the policies that Reform represents. Until they can show they are representatives of a fair and democratic election they now hold no moral or political right to engage in local politics.”
Brad1954 replies: “As much as I agree with you the other parties have been doing this for decades, it would not be fair to change it now just because it’s Reform. It has to change in the future though including party leaders, we have seen Welsh first ministers rewarded for failure.”
Stulittle joins in with: “Scissorman – I sympathise with your point; but we elect candidates, not parties. Should an elected candidate stand down as soon as he breaks with the manifesto? If so, most MPs would be out of power before they started. If there is no scope for individual opinion there really isn’t a reason for having candidates, we could just settle for one man per party! A majority decision is the basis of our legislature and judiciary; remove individual opinions from that and you have an autocracy. I agree that to change sides is a slap in the face, but let’s hope a few Labour in Westminster do just that – or we are faced with a virtual autocracy.”
Flash74 says: “This would hand too much power to parties who would have the power to expel individual members by removing the whip, making them independent. With a large majority such that Labour has now and Conservative had previously, it would prevent MPs from voting with their conscience or in the best interests of their constituents for fear of losing their job as an MP.”
So do you feel that councillors who have defected from independents to a national party represent the people who voted for them? Let us know in the comments below or HERE.
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