Bangor Conwy Môn Senedd member Helen Jenner has been appointed as the new leader of Reform UK in Wales.
The announcement was made by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage outside the Senedd in Cardiff on Monday, following a vote among the party’s Welsh Parliament members.
Ms Jenner succeeds Dan Thomas, who resigned last week after being arrested on suspicion of assault and controlling or coercive behaviour. He was subsequently released on bail while police enquiries continue and has said he has done nothing wrong.
Mr Farage described Ms Jenner as a determined and experienced campaigner whom he had known for many years.
Referring to Mr Thomas’s departure, he said it had become impossible for him to remain in the leadership position while dealing with his “personal difficulties”.
Mr Farage acknowledged that the party “could have done without this bump in the road”, but insisted Reform would continue its work in the Senedd.
Ms Jenner said it was an honour to have been chosen to lead the party in Wales.
She had served as deputy leader under Mr Thomas and was elected to represent the newly created Bangor Conwy Môn constituency in May’s Senedd election.
The Welsh-speaking former teacher was born in Neath and grew up in Bodorgan on Anglesey. She attended Ysgol David Hughes and later studied at Bangor University.
Ms Jenner previously contested the Ynys Môn seat at the 2019 General Election for the Brexit Party, which was subsequently renamed Reform UK.
A ballot was held among Reform’s Senedd group to select its new leader. BBC Wales reports that fellow Senedd member Jason O’Connell also stood for the position, despite not initially being expected to enter the contest.
Ms Jenner now takes charge of Reform’s Welsh group as the party seeks to move on from the sudden departure of its former leader.
Photo: Reform UK
