![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01KGPPT4QJNVZACZ1WJH0RT3C1-scaled-e1770288784268.jpg\")
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (left) welcomes Dan Thomas on stage after announcing him as the leader of Reform UK in Wales before the Senedd elections in May, during a rally at the International Convention Centre Wales in Newport. Image: Andrew Matthews\/PA Wire<\/p>\n
Kyle Bright<\/p>\n
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has revealed the party\u2019s leader in Wales to be Dan Thomas, a former leader of Barnet Council in London, during a press conference in Newport.<\/p>\n
Mr Thomas grew up in Blackwood in the South Wales Valleys, but spent most of his political career as a councillor \u2013 first as Tory leader of Barnet Council from 2019 to 2022, then joining Reform UK in June last year.<\/p>\n
Before that, he has stood as a Welsh Conservative candidate in the Islwyn constituency for the 2010 and 2017 general elections, coming second on both occasions.<\/p>\n
He later quit as a councillor for Finchley Church End in December, explaining that he stepped down to spend more time with his family and return to South Wales.<\/p>\n
Speaking about his connection to Wales, he said: \u201cI was born and raised in the Welsh Valleys, where my family lived for generations. My granddad was a miner, as was his dad before him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Thomas said he had \u201cfond memories\u201d of growing up in Wales and did not want to leave when he turned 18. He went on: \u201cBut for many Welshmen and women, good opportunities in Wales are few and far between,\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe well paying jobs and the high flying career paths are simply not there. So I left to build a successful career in financial services in London while serving my new community as a councillor and council leader.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter 27 years, I\u2019m back home raising two young boys in the Valleys so they can enjoy the same beautiful Welsh countryside that I played in as a child. I\u2019ve come back to where I belong.\u201d<\/p>\n
His leadership begins with just over three months to go until the Senedd election. He said: \u201cWe are fighting to win, fighting for every vote because this is the last chance for Wales.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are at a turning point. We either settle for another four years of the same or we break the mould, start again and fulfil our potential. Wales is broken. Wales needs reform.\u201d<\/p>\n
During his speech, Mr Thomas talked about issues caused by houses in multiple occupation (HMO), barber shops and a car wash in Wales which he said was the \u201ccentre of a people trafficking ring\u201d.<\/p>\n
He described \u201cuncontrolled immigration\u201d as one of the major causes of the housing crisis.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen Labour and Plaid Cymru say that you are not allowed to talk about immigration, when they try to shout you down by calling you a racist, please know that they are wrong and that they are out of touch,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe people of Wales can see what\u2019s really going on and they will back Reform to nip this problem in the bud.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Thomas also criticised what he described as \u201cweak and woke policing\u201d in London, and what \u201cuncontrolled immigration\u201d had done to the city.<\/p>\n
Party leader Nigel Farage said he picked Dan Thomas to lead his party in Wales because he is \u201cdecent\u201d and \u201crespectable\u201d, as well as being \u201cbattle hardened\u201d, having experience in council leadership and running budgets.<\/p>\n