Reform UK ‘has no interest in Wales’, says Senedd member who defected to Plaid Cymru – as it happened

A former Reform UK member has expressed concerns about the party's priorities and lack of interest in Wales as it defected to Plaid Cymru. Sarah Cooper-Lesadd, who led the party's efforts in Wales, has stated that the Reform UK leadership is more focused on division, opposition, and creating headlines rather than finding solutions to the issues at hand.

The Liberal Democrats are now attempting to introduce a cap on political donations through amendments to the Representation of the People Bill in the House of Lords. Lib Dem Cabinet Office spokesperson Lisa Smart criticized the current system, stating that they cannot continue to "play whack-a-mole" with each new attempt by party leader Nigel Farage to undermine the UK's democratic process.

Labour and the Conservatives have both been criticized for failing to address the issue of excessive political donations, with Labour's residency requirements deemed insufficient and the Conservatives accused of inaction during their time in power. The surge in donations to Reform UK has raised concerns among observers, with many fearing the "Americanization" of British politics, characterized by excessive political spending funded by crypto and corporate interests.

Cooper-Lesadd's defection to Plaid Cymru highlights the growing unease within the party over its direction and potential impact on democracy. The unprecedented scale of donations to Reform UK has drawn attention to the concentration of political power in the hands of a few crypto billionaires and powerful corporations, raising questions about the future of political spending in the UK.