, Member of the Senedd
for Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg has today left Reform UK to join
Plaid Cymru.
In a statement, she said,
Today I have left Reform UK and joined Plaid Cymru and its Senedd
group.
I grew up in the care system. I stood for the Senedd to be a
voice for care-experienced people, who are still badly
under-represented in our politics. I want to improve people's
lives, stand up for people who are overlooked and get things
done. My approach is evidence-led and rooted in what works for
our communities.
Reform has no interest in the work I came here to do. They are
not serious about governing Wales. They are far more interested
in division, opposition and headlines than in finding solutions.
There is a real appetite in the group to want the government to
fail, and no interest in what that failure would mean for the
people we represent.
They oppose measures without any coherent explanation. I wanted
to vote for the supplementary budget, which every party should
have supported, and I argued against tabling the Nation of
Sanctuary debate, and I was criticised for sitting it out. Having
just spoken about my own childhood trauma, I could not in good
conscience sit through it.
I cannot support Reform's attacks on people seeking sanctuary or
other vulnerable groups. I particularly reject the way minorities
have too often been used as political targets. I do not believe
anyone should be scapegoated or dehumanised to win votes, and I
will not be part of a politics that does that.
The party centrally has no interest in Wales. Their Senedd group
is a staging post in the effort to get into Downing Street, and that
was glaringly obvious at its conference this week.
To everyone who voted Reform in May: I have not stopped listening
to you. You told me you felt ignored and let down. Those concerns
are real, and they will be answered by delivery, not division.
Wales is a small country with enormous potential. Devolution is
how that potential is realised, with decisions made closer to the
people they affect.
"I believe in a Wales that is confident, compassionate and
ambitious. A Wales that uses the powers it has to improve
people's lives and seeks the powers it still needs.
"Plaid is serious about governing, serious about delivery and
serious about Wales. It is a party that believes in our
communities and believes Wales can do more when decisions are
made closer to the people they affect.
I know what I am asking of Plaid members who spent May
campaigning against the party I stood for, and I will work to
earn their trust.
I came into politics to give people a voice, improve lives and
get things done, including for every child growing up in care in
Wales today. Plaid Cymru is the best place for me to do that, and
I am ready to get to work."
Plaid Cymru Senedd Group Chair, MS, added,
The Senedd Group and Plaid Cymru's National Executive have today
taken the decision to allow MS to join the party
as our 44th Member of the Senedd.
A decision to allow a member to cross the floor, particularly
from Reform UK, is not taken lightly. This follows a period of
reflection, discussion and a proper internal process in line with
our party's constitution.
It has been clear for some time to many of us that Sarah is
sincerely motivated by a desire to make a positive difference,
particularly for some of the most vulnerable people in our
society. It has also become clear that she is uncomfortable with
Reform UK's politics, rhetoric and values.
She has been honest about her political journey and has
acknowledged that she was wrong to believe Reform was the right
political home for her.
Sarah has returned to a Wales that is very different from the
country she left as a child. She sees a growing confidence and
ambition in Wales and in our Senedd, and wants to be part of
that.
She has concluded that she cannot in good conscience continue
trying to make a difference from within Reform. She has thought
carefully about where her values place her now and sees in Plaid
Cymru a party that believes in Wales, believes in its people and
is serious about making positive change.
I and so many Plaid members fought the election in May on a
platform and values opposed to Reform. But May also showed that
people from many different backgrounds and political starting
points can be persuaded by our vision for Wales. Building our
movement means reaching out, having conversations and persuading
people and allowing people to change their minds.
"We are therefore pleased to welcome Sarah to Plaid Cymru and
look forward to the contribution she can make to our party, our
Senedd Group and, most importantly, to the people of Wales.
