Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, has expressed willingness to explore potential alliances with other political parties to potentially secure a position in forming the next government in Wales. In an interview with BBC Wales, Farage acknowledged the challenges of achieving an outright majority in the Senedd due to the introduction of a new voting system set to be implemented in the May 2026 elections. The reformed voting system will expand the Senedd to include 96 seats, deviating from the current 60-seat structure, and will incorporate a list system aimed at more accurately representing the electorate’s preferences.
Farage emphasised that while securing an overall majority may pose difficulties, his party remains open to establishing confidence and supply relationships with other parties if deemed necessary. He highlighted that Reform UK has yet to finalise its candidate selections for the Senedd elections, indicating that the leadership position will become clearer as the process unfolds. Furthermore, Farage underscored Reform UK’s commitment to revitalising the industrial sector in south Wales, criticising the direction towards achieving net zero emissions for its perceived adverse impact on industries such as steel and coal.
The Reform UK leader articulated his party’s stance as a proactive force seeking to instigate positive transformations within the political landscape, rather than merely embodying a stance of protest. Farage criticised the prevailing homogeneity of views within the Senedd, characterising the assembly as dominated by individuals subscribing to similar ideologies. In contrast, he positioned Reform UK as an “antidote” to this prevailing conformity, advocating for meaningful change and divergent perspectives within Wales’ governmental structures.
Despite Reform UK’s previous electoral performance, which saw the party secure second place in thirteen Welsh constituencies during the General Election, the party did not secure any seats in the Senedd during the 2021 elections. When queried about the party’s stance on maintaining free prescriptions in Wales, Farage affirmed a commitment to preserving this existing benefit, should Reform UK secure a role in governance. This assertion aligns with the party’s ethos of prioritising public welfare and access to essential services.
As Reform UK prepares for the upcoming Senedd elections, Farage’s strategic openness to collaboration with other parties underscores a potential shift in the political dynamics of Wales. By positioning his party as a driver of substantive change and advocating for the revitalisation of key industries within the nation, Farage aims to present Reform UK as a credible alternative within the Welsh political landscape. The evolving political landscape in Wales, marked by new voting systems and expanding electoral structures, sets the stage for multifaceted and dynamic alliances as parties vie for influence and representation within the Senedd.