A Reform UK whistleblower has described the “expensive, flawed and unprofessional vetting process” used by the party to select Senedd election candidates.
The key member, who does not wish to be named, said they took part in Reform’s “full candidate assessment and training process” for the upcoming Welsh election.
They accused the party of a “lack of transparency” and criticised the “calibre of some of the people now being placed in winnable positions.”
The insider told us: “What I witnessed was not a merit-based system designed to find the best local representatives – but a centrally controlled process that favours insiders, parachuted candidates and personal connections over local knowledge and competence.
“Several high-placed candidates have been moved into top spots despite having no real connection to the areas they are supposed to represent.
“Cai Parry Jones, deputy chair of the Bangor branch, has been dropped straight into the number one position in Cardiff. Jason O’Connell from Torfaen has been similarly elevated.
“In Newport, Arthur Wright is not even Welsh. He’s originally from Birmingham and has been given the second spot.
“Lower down the lists, paper candidates such as Richard Pendry in Montgomeryshire (who actually lives in Cardiff) have been placed in constituencies they have no link to. The same applies to Newport and Caerphilly branches.”
Reform UK unveiled their full list of Senedd election hopefuls last week amid a number of candidates announcing...
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