Gareth Lewis

A Facebook account named “Reform UK Alyn and Deeside and Wrexham” published an anti-Ukraine message calling Ukraine corrupt, opposing further British money and weapons, and urging sanctions on Russia to be lifted. Reform UK said the account was unofficial, run by a supporter without a formal party role, and that the post contradicted its policy of supporting Ukraine against Russia. Welsh politicians from Labour, the Conservatives and Plaid Cymru condemned the message, citing Reform's wider controversies over Russia and comments by leader Nigel Farage. The post has since apparently been deleted.

Plaid Cymru’s Welsh government has issued a final proposal to secure Labour’s support for its supplementary budget, offering £120m over three years for additional learning needs. Labour is insisting on £100m of immediate funding and is poised to decide its stance ahead of the Senedd vote, where the government lacks a majority. The budget faces pressure from significant NHS in‑year costs and leaves substantial funds unallocated. Labour, backed by council leaders and teachers' unions, has rejected earlier offers, while Reform and the Welsh Conservatives plan to oppose the spending plans. The vote will serve as an early test of the Plaid‑led administration’s ability to secure cross‑party agreements.

Plaid Cymru is offering additional funding for children with additional learning needs to secure Labour's support for its supplementary budget, which must pass next week. Labour has signaled the initial offer is insufficient but remains open to negotiation. The supplementary budget includes major allocations for NHS waiting lists, childcare expansion and school repairs, with a large portion of day‑to‑day funds still unassigned. Labour and other parties continue to press for greater support for councils facing ALN pressures. Failure of the vote would force the government to revert to the previously approved annual budget and trigger a political dispute.

Reform UK's Welsh leader Dan Thomas said he would consider accepting a donation from a convicted criminal if necessary to secure protection for himself and his family, defending Nigel Farage after reports that he received assistance from George Cottrell before the 2024 general election. Thomas argued Farage required extensive security and supported his decision to trigger a by-election following ongoing scrutiny. Plaid Cymru’s Liz Saville Roberts criticised Farage’s move as wasteful and self‑serving, while Cottrell’s lawyers rejected the allegations reported by The Sunday Times.