Reform UK in Wales to boycott Senedd over immigration ban row

Joe Martin MS was told he would not be called to speak until he apologised for a contribution he made in the chamber. Credit: ITV Cymru Wales

Reform UK has announced it is boycotting proceedings in the Welsh Parliament after one of its members was banned from speaking over comments claiming white British people were being replaced in the UK.

Helen Jenner, leader of the party in Wales, announced on Wednesday that the group would not attend plenary – the full meeting of Members of the Senedd (MSs) – in a “show of support” for Joe Martin.

Mr Martin, Reform MS for Caerdydd Penarth, was handed the ban on Tuesday after his comments were described as “discriminatory” and “offensive” by the Llywydd (presiding officer), Huw Irranca-Davies.

Reform is the largest opposition group to the Plaid Cymru-led Government.

The leader of Reform in Wales, Helen Jenner, said her party stands with Joe Martin MS. Credit: ITV Wales

Speaking in the Senedd on Tuesday, Mr Martin, the MS for Caerdydd Penarth, said: “Can I have a statement from your Government on the demographic replacement of white British people taking place in the UK?

“Because the scale of change has been breathtaking.

“Mass immigration and differing birth rates mean that, in just 37 years’ time, in 2063, we will be a minority in our own country.

“That change has already taken place in London, Birmingham, Leicester, Slough, Luton and Manchester, and I don’t want it to happen here.

“Indeed, at every opportunity, the majority of the electorate have wanted less immigration so that their nation can be preserved.

“A nation is not an economic zone, it’s not a hotel, and neither is it a charity.

“It’s a family, which is capable of absorbing people of all races if done at a sensible rate, but not if it’s replaced altogether.”

Welsh minister Heledd Fychan responded by asking for a ruling on whether the comments were in line with Senedd rules, adding: “We have a duty for every single member of our communities that we represent.

“I reject division and hate. We had a question earlier to the Prif Weinidog (First Minister) around antisemitism.

“We cannot differentiate between people of different religions, different sexuality, different skin colour.

“We are a Government for everyone here in Wales, we are supposed to be a Senedd for everyone here in Wales.

“I reject wholeheartedly the division that is spouted by those members.”

Later in the afternoon, Mr Irranca-Davies said he considered the comments made by Mr Martin to be “unnecessarily provocative and deliberately offensive”.

He said: “Whilst it is always possible to raise legitimate policy matters in relation to immigration in this Siambr, the focus of that contribution on race and ethnicity was clearly discriminatory, offensive, and detracted from the dignity of the Senedd.

“This is not the first time the member has pushed the boundaries in his contributions, and I have previously warned him about his conduct.

“Until I receive a clear indication that the member understands the boundaries of acceptable parliamentary conduct and apologises to the Siambr, we will not be calling the member to speak.”

In a post on X on Wednesday, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: “It is ridiculous and outrageous that Reform’s duly elected Member of the Senedd, Joe Martin, has been banned from speaking in the Welsh Parliament.

“Why is it only Reform that’s targeted like this?”

Plaid Cymru's Carrie Harper MS said: "It's scandalous that Members of the Reform Senedd group chose to boycott today's Senedd after being called out for blatant racism. Their pathetic tantrum is a disgrace to democracy - they'd rather play gimmicks and chase headlines than be serious about Wales' future and doing the job they were elected to do on behalf of the people they represent.

"Plaid Cymru will always stand up for our communities and call Reform's hate out where we see it."

Welsh Labour Leader Ken Skates said: “Racist language has no place in the Senedd. We in Welsh Labour welcome robust debate but stand firmly against hate speech and division.

“Boycotting Plenary on Remembrance Day when a debate on veterans is scheduled is shameful.

“I urge the Member to reflect, apologise and return to the Siambr with his Reform colleagues to represent the constituents who elected them.”

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