Reform is not racist, Welsh leader says in Senedd election debate

Immigration is not something which the Welsh government controls, but in recent years it has had policies to assist asylum seekers and refugees, which it has labelled the “Nation of Sanctuary”.

Official figures say it makes up a small proportion of the government’s overall budget, with the vast majority of the cash being spent on supporting Ukrainians in Wales who are fleeing the war with Russia.

The debate on Tuesday evening saw strong exchanges on the policy, which is opposed by both the Conservatives and Reform.

Wales Green leader Anthony Slaughter accused the two parties of playing a “dangerous game” in which immigrants get blamed for “decaying” public services.

Reform’s Thomas rejected this: “Listening to the majority of the people in Wales isn’t a dangerous game.

“It’s called democracy and it’s called listening to people.”

He was challenged on comments made when he was leader of Barnet Council in 2021 that it had a “proud history of providing sanctuary”.

“That was before the floodgates were opened”, he said.

“The fact that I welcomed that showed that we’re not racist, we’re very reasonable people”.